Model Mentality

Through this post I want to focus on the importance of the model mentality. The confidence it takes to have to succeed in this industry and the importance of staying true to who you are.

"The mentality I have learned to have over the years of being within the industry is simply: if they like me, they like me and if they don't, they don't."

The Reality Of Model Mentality

Honestly, when I first started it was hard to have such a positive mindset. You have people critiquing you, changing your body position, tightening your clothes to fit properly, doing your hair and makeup and all of things needed to get the perfect shot. It is hard to get used to it all. I would take every little thing they did or said to me personally and it all got to my head. I never felt like I was good enough, I defined myself as the clients did through their small actions and words. It consumed me and I allowed it to do just that.

I mean think about it... if you are constantly being critiqued and at times not even referred to by your name and just "the model," you can't help but think something you are doing isn't good enough. I know for me the main thing that I have taken away over these ten years of being in the industry is this: "they hired me, they chose me, so something about me and my look stood out to them and they like me."As a model you have to stand confident in that, knowing that no matter what may be said in whispers off-set, when you are in the dressing room but can still hear conversations, or sadly sometimes even said directly to you, you were chosen out of all of the other models. Get rid of their negative energy and stand true and confident in who you know you are. I mean, at the end of the day you are getting paid my friend so who the frick cares what they have to say.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think I have it all down and it will probably always be a battle that I will have to face while being within the industry... But I do have three things that I remind myself every time I start to get into my head so I can do my best to snap out of it and stay true to me.

The Three Main Things That Will Help Get You To Model Mentality:

1.BE CONFIDENT (confidence is the key)

Confidence shines brighter than any light when it comes to modeling. If you are able to find your confidence and stand true to it you will flourish at every casting, with every new client and on ever set. Whatever makes you confident live by that. Blare that favorite song and jam out before you go into that casting, speak those words of affirmations into the mirror every morning and believe them wholeheartedly. Strut your strut and just be confidently you.

Also, make sure that you stay true to you. What I mean by this is I want you to figure out who you are in this world of modeling. Here is what I remind myself: I am a strong and empowered woman. I am built in such a way that proves that woman too can be muscular but beautifully feminine. I am more than just an athlete and am not confined to the box that the industry wants to put me in. I am proud of who I am and I stand empowered, beautiful and strong in that truth.

2. STAY CLEAR OF THE COMPARISON GAME (it will only burn you out)

You are your own individual. There is no one like you. NO ONE. You are uniquely you and all that you are made up of can not be replicated. You can't find yourself daily staring on social media comparing the way you look to someone else, the amount of clients this person gets, or the amount of followers that person has. It will consume you and you will burn out. You are YOU and no one else. So don't take the time or energy focusing on others. You are what matters when it comes to succeeding in your career. Block out everyone else and focus on YOU. Because if you remain within the disturbing game of comparison you will find yourself never being satisfied and confident with who you are. That is the last thing you want in this industry. Simply, stay clear.

3.DON'T EVER CHANGE FOR ANYONE (not one cm)

No matter what is asked of you, whether that is taking inches off of your hips or waist, don't feel stressed in accomplishing that. Every client is different and every client is looking for different things. You can't please every single client in this industry. It is impossible. So don't try to confine to just a select few. The clients that want you will want you and those that don't are missing out. You have to learn to see it as such. Don't change who you are out of fear of not being booked.. The right clients will fall into place you have to trust that.

This is sadly where the industry becomes so dark. Agencies and clients push models to be a certain size, they claim these false claims and push their models to the limits and it makes people spiral. It is not healthy, it is not okay, simply put. I have chosen to not change for anyone because i stand true to me and am confident in that. Clients come and go for every model. I shouldn't have to change for anyone just because that "dream" client doesn't like my size or look.

Just know model mentality takes time. It won't just come right away. With constant reminders and words of affirmation you can and will get there. You got this. I believe in you. Be confident, stay true to you, stay clear from the comparison game and don't you ever dare think about changing for anyone.

xx Tayler Fettig