My experiences with depression led me to Carl Jung’s work and the concept of the mandala, a geometric form used in Hindu and Buddhist meditation. Jung suggested that drawing mandalas can be therapeutic, symbolising the centring of the ego and contributing to the process of individuation. I have used drawing my own mandala as a way to help myself heal and discover my soul.

Jung emphasised that “faith, hope, love, and insight are the pinnacle of human achievement, emerging through our experiences.” In my Mandala, “faith” is represented by money, a powerful tool for influencing the world around us. “Hope” embodies the female architects, designers, and artists who have motivated me to pursue a career in architecture. “Love” is captured in my mother’s cookies, lovingly made for me whenever I ventured away from home. Lastly, “insight” reflects the valuable lessons I’ve gained through my work, particularly from my first architecture project.

I incorporated ready-made items like bank cards, a list of female creators, my mom’s cookies, and a brick from my first architecture project into my mandala drawings, which reflect order, balance, and integrity.

In , Jung asserts, “Only by abandoning material pursuits can a person find his soul. Without this discovery, one feels empty, leading to a desperate and blind chase of superficial desires. This pursuit only results in losing oneself and one’s soul.”

In the darkness, four guiding lights illuminated my path toward my “soul.” They brought me closer, yet I still feel lost. I grapple with my identity, my aspirations, and where I truly belong. This quest for clarity is a challenge many of us encounter.

At the center of my mandala drawing, there is an emptiness that symbolises failure, impossibility, and the unknown aspects of my life.

The mandala drawings were completed on 5th January 2025, including four read-made objects outlined with chalk lines, created on the balcony of my London home.