The Bad: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
By: Jessica Christian
One models advice on how to overcome the side effects of the modelling industry.
People say they have developed a thick skin from modeling, but have they really? Perhaps it’s just something people tell themselves to appear stronger and adapted to the harsh, critical climate the modeling world brings on many occasions. I believe that repeatedly exposing yourself to the modeling world ultimately will chip away at your healthy body image, so it’s important to be aware of this and get busy with ways to counteract it. I used to say I got tough from being in this business for years. And I would usually believe it when I uttered such things to colleagues or people looking to get into modeling. But my actions didn’t always match up with this confident, secure woman face I was portraying to others. I would notice the struggle in other ways, which often crept into my normal daily routines. For example, when I would eat, I’d mentally track what I had consumed. When I went shopping and tried on clothing, I would feel anxious and dissatisfied. When walking down the street, I’d catch myself criticizing other women in my head, judging their bodies, their hair, their faces… Negativity and judgment was often clouding my vision without me being completely aware of it. But when you work in an industry that’s based on criticisms, and image perfection, it’s not surprising to experience the negative effects that can come about. It starts subtle, then builds and mounds. Eventually the voice of reason will tell you ‘this isn’t normal’. I’m not saying this will happen to everyone in this field of work, but I caution those in it to be aware of this strong force that can overwhelm us and take us away from a healthy head space, if not careful. What I recommend to anyone in the modeling world is to get a second job, hobby or start a project that is completely separate. Choose something that is not based on your outer appearance, then work at it, dedicate yourself to it, and do it because you love it. As much as modeling can bring you happiness at times, and is a passion for many of us, it can come with severe lows. This is why it is important to have interests and goals outside of this tiny world that a very small percentage works in. It will give you encouragement, and also give you something else to talk about. It’s healthy mentally to take breaks from the pressure modeling can put on our self esteems. You’ll also meet and work with people who are not in this business, which will give you better perspective on yourself and how most of the population lives and interacts with one another. This may seem a severe blog post for those of you who are new to the industry, but for those of us who’ve lived it and been immersed in it for years, you’re surely appreciating what I’ve had to say here. And of course, we love many aspects of the industry or we wouldn’t work in it for this long. With any business there will be highs and lows and pros and cons. It’s just about maintaining the balance, and keeping a proper mind set so the dark doesn’t overshadow the light in modeling. Give yourself the chance and the credit to explore everything you have to offer.
