Doing What I Love
How I Built a Career on My Own Terms
Monday Muse Edition #10
Hello Musies,
We have completed 5 years at f.y.i.arch🥳🍾
It’s time to celebrate these 5 years with a story.
March 2020: The Day Everything Changed
I resigned from my job just before COVID (9th March 2020), I had a plan—or at least, I thought I did.
Like many architects, I wanted to start my own firm. I had put time into my practice, gained experience, and was ready to take the leap.
And then, lockdown happened.
On the very first day of lockdown (20th March 2020), while the world was shutting down, I was opening up a new chapter. I started creating content.
I started my own page on Instagram and YouTube.
Not because I had some grand vision—just because I wanted to share what I had learned from my job.
I started posting Revit Tutorials for beginners on YouTube and posts about materials on Instagram.
At that time, content creation was just an experiment. I wasn’t thinking about full-time careers or business models. But as months passed and lockdown restrictions lifted, I got the chance to experience what I had initially aimed for—running my own firm and working with clients.
That’s when I truly understood why many architects struggle.
The Harsh Reality of Running a Practice
When things started opening up post-lockdown, I worked with clients, handled projects, and collaborated with different people. This was supposed to be the dream, but I quickly realized that technical skills weren’t the biggest challenge—people were.
🔹 Bad clients who didn’t respect design, delayed payments, and undervalued expertise.
🔹 Working with the wrong people (business partner), leading to miscommunication, project delays, and unnecessary stress.
🔹 The constant struggle of proving your worth in an industry where connections matter more than skill.
I had left my job to build something meaningful. Instead, I found myself questioning whether this was what I wanted at all.
And yet, amidst all this, my personal brand “f.y.i.arch” was quietly growing. What started as an experiment had turned into something bigger.
By then, we had reached 70K followers on Instagram, telling stories about real challenges, the gaps in architectural education, and the practical skills that actually make a difference.
That’s when I had to make a decision.
The Night I Chose My Own Path
You know how Indian parents are—they still hadn’t fully accepted what I was doing. 'It’s unconventional, it’s unreliable,' they’d say."
So, when my attempts at running my practice didn’t work out the way I hoped, my mom told me to give interviews for stable jobs. Of course, I cracked them. A job letter was in my hand, offering a good salary, stability, and everything that made sense on paper.
But something didn’t feel right.
Late at night, just before signing the contract, I called my mom.
"I’m not taking this job."
There was silence on the other end. And then, the inevitable questions:
"But why? The pay is good. It’s a safe option. Are you sure?"
I was.
I told her, “I have built something of my own, my personal brand, and I want to pursue that.”
That was 2023. Today, I’ve completed five years of this journey.
And the biggest lesson?
Your career isn’t about choosing the safest path—it’s about choosing the one that aligns with you.
Passion Isn’t Found, It’s Built
There’s a common belief that you must find your passion like it’s some missing piece of a puzzle. But I realized that passion is not something you discover—it’s something you develop.
🔹 Doing what you love is idealistic—you chase a passion and expect it to fulfill you.
🔹 Loving what you do is practical—you take what you have and find ways to make it meaningful.
For me, architecture wasn’t just about buildings—it was about problem-solving, communication, and creating impact. I enjoyed explaining ideas, simplifying complex topics, and making design knowledge accessible. That’s what led me to content creation—not as a way out of architecture, but as a way to expand its reach.
At first, it felt like a side project. But the more I did it, the clearer it became: this was the intersection of what I loved and what I was good at.
How I Shifted From Traditional Architecture to Content & Strategy
The transition wasn’t instant. It was a series of small bets—experiments that taught me what I enjoyed and what people valued.
1. I Started by Sharing What I Knew
Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, I started sharing my experiences—whether it was time management in architecture school, technical knowledge about materials, or insights from real-world projects.
💡 The key lesson? Clarity attracts opportunities. The more I shared, the more people resonated with my work.
2. I Focused on Skills, Not Just Titles
Many people get stuck thinking they have to either stay in architecture or leave completely. The truth? Skills are transferable.
My knowledge of design helped me explain architecture to a broader audience.
My experience in BIM helped me structure content strategically on YouTube.
My ability to present ideas visually translated into engaging social media content.
3. I Built a System That Worked for Me
I never wanted to trade one form of burnout for another. So I approached content creation like an architect—by designing an efficient system.
I streamlined my process: creating content bank, setting clear goals, and prioritizing deep work.
I treated my social media pages as projects, each with a clear narrative and purpose.
I focused on long-term impact—building resources, offline networking, and content that would remain valuable over time.
The result? A career path that felt aligned without feeling like I was constantly chasing the next big thing.
The Challenges No One Tells You About Content Creation
Leaving traditional practice for content creation wasn’t smooth. If anything, it was harder.
Here’s what people don’t talk about when they say, "Just start creating content."
1. You’ll Feel Like You’re Talking to a Wall at First
In the beginning, no one cares. You put your heart into a post, and it gets two likes—one from your best friend and the other from a bot.
The first few months of content creation are brutal. No validation, no engagement, no clear direction. The only thing that keeps you going is self-belief.
I spent 6 hours filming an 18-minute YouTube video in peak summer, with no fan, no mic, no fancy equipment—just a regular headphone and a basic movie maker editing tool.
📌 Lesson: Focus on consistency over virality. Most people quit too soon because they expect immediate results.
2. Copy-Paste Content Doesn’t Work
There’s a fine line between inspiration and imitation. I’ve seen people blindly follow trends, but the truth is, I have learnt it the hard way because I started the same way.
❌ Regurgitating what everyone else is saying won’t make you stand out.
❌ AI-generated, generic content is forgettable.
❌ If you don’t have a strong voice, people won’t care.
📌 Lesson: Share real experiences, real insights, and real opinions. That’s how you build trust.
3. You Need to Learn to Sell Without Feeling “Salesy”
Monetizing content isn’t as easy as people think. You can’t just post consistently and expect brands to show up at your doorstep with offers.
You need to:
✔️ Build credibility before asking for anything.
✔️ Learn the art of storytelling to make your work valuable.
✔️ Be comfortable with self-promotion without feeling like a sellout.
📌 Lesson: If you don’t position your expertise properly, opportunities won’t come.
4. Your Biggest Critics Will Be People Who Do Nothing
The moment you put yourself out there, expect criticism. Not from experts, but from people who have never tried doing what you’re doing.
"This is so basic."
"Why are you teaching this?"
"Who made you the expert?"
At first, it gets to you. But then you realize: criticism is the price of visibility.
📌 Lesson: If no one is criticizing you, you’re not reaching enough people.
5. There Is No “Final Destination”
Five years in, I still don’t feel like I’ve "made it." There’s always something new to learn, something bigger to build.
And that’s the whole point.
📌 Lesson: Don’t chase a fixed goal. Chase constant evolution.
Would I Do It All Over Again?
Leaving behind a secure job, failing at my first practice, and starting over wasn’t easy.
But if I had to make that late-night call again, I’d still say:
"I’m not taking this job."
Because what I’ve built today is bigger than any one job. It’s a career, a community, and a purpose.
Your takeaway?
👉 If you’re stuck between security and passion, start creating.
👉 If you’re scared of failing, fail fast and learn faster.
👉 If you want to stand out, share what only you can share—because that’s what makes your journey
Let me know—have you ever taken an unconventional path? What’s your biggest struggle with content creation?
Until then,
Keep musing,
Ar. Sagar Saoji
Founder - f.y.i.arch
Architect turned Content Creator
Find me here: Instagram | Linkedin | Website
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You can read our previous edition here.