Being in the modeling industry exposes a person to a lot of opinions. Through my personal experience, I have been at the receiving end of these opinions quite often... Some that are encouraging and some that are of course the opposite. Even though most models are aware of this and it is to be expected in the industry, it can definitely feel confusing. Everybody experiences this in their own ways through their personal day-to-day lives.
Let's go back to the key word spoken here... "OPINIONS"... Our individual opinions or perceptions are our own personal truths, but will NEVER be universal truth... This is an incredible tool to remember when dealing with the opinions, expectations and thoughts by society and others around us!... And this is what is truly beautiful about the strength and continual growth of personal power and self-love... When we live our lives constantly honoring ourselves within, society will never be able to touch us in that vulnerable and personal place that causes us to question ourselves. We should always seek to respect and allow others to think and have opinions of their own, but we must remember that we never have to adopt them as our own... IT IS OUR CHOICE TO CHOOSE.
HOW EMPOWERING AND AMAZING IS THIS FOR ALL OF US? I have learned a lot through my personal ups and downs, my high moments and low moments, to constantly strive toward loving and honoring myself by practicing the avoidance of allowing influence (or opinions) of others to define or determine my opinion of myself. This applies to both the positive and the negative.
We have the freedom and get to choose what defines us and creates the untouchable and unstoppable (true) beauty within. This process will ALWAYS start within and ONLY within... We could hear and take note of a million encouraging comments from others a day, and sure, these will help us feel better about ourselves, but it will never substitute the need we each have to build and create a relationship of unconditional love for ourselves based and built PURELY off what we ALREADY POSSESS WITHIN.
I continue to experience challenging moments in my personal journey and they have been my greatest teachers... I continue to push through these barriers every single day and I have MUCH confidence that everyone can push through their personal barriers also. We can and must do this! We each DESERVE the freedom of self-love, self-acceptance and inner-peace knowing that at end of the day, it is our standards and only our standards that define our destiny.❤