BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
What French Cathedrals Taught Me About Building Community That Lasts
A few weeks ago, I stood inside the breathtaking cathedrals of Amiens and Bayeux, both in northern France. I’d seen photos before, even visited Bayeux, and other cathedrals in the UK, but nothing quite prepares you for the scale, the stillness, the sense of time pressing gently in around you.
These cathedrals aren’t just buildings. They are acts of devotion — to beauty, to purpose, and to community. And as I walked through their vast, echoing interiors, I found myself thinking about the women I work with — people like you — and the communities around ourselves that we are all part of, especially during times of transition, change, or personal growth.
Because in so many ways, the cathedrals reminded me of what it takes to build something that really lasts.
The Gift of Taking Your Time
Cathedrals like Amiens weren’t built in a year. Some took over a century to complete. They weren’t rushed. Every detail was carefully considered. Every stone was laid with purpose. Craftsmen and women bringing their individual skills to this project they may never see completed.
In a world that prizes instant results, it’s easy to forget the value of taking our time. But whether you’re rebuilding after loss, stepping into a new phase of life, or simply reimagining what you want your future to look like — slow, steady progress is often the most sustainable. Real transformation, like beautiful architecture, needs space and time.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
What struck me most was the collaboration. Stonemasons, carpenters, glassmakers, roofers — all working side by side under the direction of the maître d’œuvre, the master builder who held the vision and brought it all together. Each person brought their own skills, and each was essential.
That’s how I think of the community we’re creating — through retreats, therapy, shared conversations, and moments of stillness. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up with your own unique self, however significant or insignificant you feel. Your presence, your story, your care — it all matters. We build something stronger when we build together.
Doing the Work, Even Without Seeing the Outcome
Many of the artisans who contributed to these cathedrals never saw the final spire completed. They shaped their stones, painted their windows, carved their wood — trusting that their work would be part of something beautiful.
That idea moved me deeply.
So much of the healing and growth I witness in my clients happens in these quiet moments: taking time to reflect, learning to breathe through difficulty, making small, brave choices every day. You may not always see the full result immediately — but the work you’re doing builds towards something bigger. And it will shape the way others feel in your presence, just like those cathedrals have shaped the experience of generations of visitors.
A spectacular light show late in the evening at Bayeux Cathedral.
Community as Shelter and Inspiration
What we build — in ourselves and with others — has the power to outlast us. Cathedrals have withstood wars, fires, loss, and time itself. And yet they remain places of wonder and comfort.
I believe community can be like that too. A place where we come for refuge. Where we’re witnessed. Where we remember what’s possible when we come together. And when we build it slowly, with care, it becomes a legacy — for our families, our friendships, and even for strangers we may never meet.
So as I reflect on my journey through those ancient French cathedrals, I’m reminded:
Take your time.
Value the process, not just the outcome.
Honour every contribution, including your own.
Keep showing up, even when the results aren’t clear yet.
Trust that you’re building something worthwhile.
Because just like those cathedrals, the community you build — for yourself and around you — can stand the test of time.
