The modeling world has been perceived as one of the professions that has been the most wanted for many years. Images of attractive men and women with smoldering facial expressions walking down the runway, donning the latest trends, are some of the first things that come to mind whenever we think of this collective of impossibly beautiful people.
However, like everything else, there are two sides to every story. In the same amount of time that this industry has built its reputation as one of the most desirable career paths to be on, the nitty-gritty truth about this is that many models grapple with significant challenges related to their mental health and body image. Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and rumors of societal pressure/ abuse often plague its pristine image, but it doesn’t deter others from choosing this path as their dream job.
Since modeling is an industry that places a premium on physical appearance and the evolving standards of beauty, it’s of the utmost importance to take into consideration the power of having wellness practices integrated into each individual’s lifestyle. Recently, advocates for mental health awareness and alternative holistic medication out there have been promoting services ranging from Inner-child healing, Reiki, guides, and even full-blown retreats. While it’s certainly changing the narrative around the stigma of openly discussing issues, there is more work to be done as each industry gets involved in the betterment of their employees.
“Working smarter, not harder,” is slowly becoming the norm for other industries and it’s slowly trickling into the creatives industry which is something that everyone is glad about.
A recent study conducted by the Model Alliance of NY has shown that fashion models are subjected to extreme pressure, which often leads to harmful effects on their health, as well as increasing eating disorder risk among the youth by promoting ideals of extreme thinness. (Rodgers et al., 2017)
Issues that are prevalent in the industry, such as the pressure to conform, body image distortion, and mental health challenges, have all posed significant challenges to a rising model’s path to success. According to model and The Abundance Life League Founder Séverine Keimig, “ A lot of people from the outset think that just because you look great ( in their eyes), everything is going well, but they don’t know what that person is going through. Personally, I had my fair share of experiences regarding this, I was going through a challenging experience that resulted in my fluctuating weight and I had lots of anxiety yet people didn’t know how I was feeling at that time. “
She isn’t alone in that category. Plenty of people who chose this career path are known to be notoriously unhealthy, from taking stimulants and following certain fads to keep their bodies at the same weight. Keimig emphasizes that setting boundaries is essential, especially in a high-intensity setting, such as fashion weeks, go-sees, and auditions. “Practicing mindfulness practices often helps when it comes to grounding oneself during strenuous situations, journaling, and even going for a breath of fresh air or exercising takes the edge out of things, and it becomes mentally easier for the individual to look at things from a different perspective.”
While it can be difficult at times to keep that in mind because of the industry’s relentless focus on physical appearance, this can all be curbed by acknowledging these challenges and fostering an open dialogue, which is a long time coming. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support when needed, and challenging societal norms of beauty, models can cultivate resilience and thrive professionally and personally. Ultimately, true beauty lies not in conformity to arbitrary standards but in embracing authenticity, diversity, and self-acceptance.
Check out the Abundance Life League: www.abundancelifeleague.com
