More than a model

Don't you just hate labels? We've all been judged and I'm sure we all know what that feels like, but you know what I'm tired of it. I'm tired of people trying to put limits on other people's dreams.

You can't be a model and an academic? You can't run a brand or business and be in school? You can't do sports and be girly? You can't possibly do well in a program if you're foreign? I have heard it all, and you know what the people who try to put you down are people who are extremely unhappy with their lives.

As someone who is a model, I know people are always going to judge me no matter what I do. For some I'm too skinny, for others I'm not skinny enough. For some I'm too modest for others I'm too out there. You will never please the public, family, or all your friends, and you know what who cares? I love what I do, I love that modeling has given me a platform to be who I am. I love that I get to travel and meet other creative models and photographers. I love that I can have the opportunity to feel confident and sexy while being classy. I love that I can have the means to help others and the community. Modeling has given me forever friends, memories, opportunities, and growth. I have gained so much, so why listen to the haters?

You can't be a model and be intellectual? Excuse me, this is the most ignorant thing I have ever been told. As someone who is in an intense Master's program, about to apply to a Ph.D. I was extremely offended. I love academics I love the research that I do. If I had to tell you about mtDNA research and how it related to inflammation and depression, you'd know how passionate I was about this field, and that we're not stupid. Stop labeling people based on their looks, based on their jobs. We are so much more than what you see on social media.

Why can't I run a brand and be in school? Not enough time? I'm tired of hearing this. I am in my Master's program full-time, I work as an academic advisor and a model, I make time to work out every day, I make time for my relationships and I run my brand every day. You are telling me that I can't do all this all the time makes me want to do it more. Stop trying to put limits on other people's dreams, and start motivating them instead.

Too girly for sports? I call BS on that. I was a D1 track athlete while getting my degree, and modeling. I was an athlete way before anything else, and I wore red lipstick at every event. I don't believe that I was too girly for sports being girly in my sport was who I am. That did not mean I ran any slower or did worse than other athletes. Track was a big part of my life it made me a strong person inside and out, and me being girly did not influence my performance or make me less than any other athlete. Once again, we need to stop judging others based on their looks,

Yes I'm South African, yes I'm foreign, and yes English is not my first language. Does this mean that I'd do worse than other students? No, I might have had a greater learning curve I might have had to spend more time reading academic journals, but all in all, I think this makes me a great candidate for translations and ideas. My language and views do not make my chance of succeeding any less than someone else. It also does not make me any less qualified for a doctoral degree.

I want you to know that you are more than a label. You are more than what people see on the outside and I wish that most people could look past the platonic things. I wish people took the time to see how beautiful and kind you are before being labeled. I wish that they could see you when your eyes light up when you talk about something you love. I wish they could see how you sing in the shower or how you love that first sip of coffee in the morning. I wish they could see how you wave and babies at the grocery store, and how you shed a tear watching a sunset. I wish they could see what you've been through, what battles you have fought in silence. I wish they could walk in your shoes just for a little while, because maybe, just maybe we'd have a kinder world.

Why are we being judged based on weight, job description, what we wear, what we eat, what disorders/disabilities we have? Why should this matter? Why judge people without giving them a chance to showcase who they are?

If I had to be friends with people and I judged them based on platonic things, I would have no friends. I hope when you read this that you know you are so much more than a label, please do not listen to those who do not support you, because I have learned the hard way that those closest to you are those who put you down. Your real friends and family will believe in you and your dreams when no one else does, they'd see you for who you are and not as a label. They'd support you and love you no matter what. They would be involved in your dreams, and they'd listen.

Stop worrying about other people's judgment, and focus on what makes you happy. You are your biggest commitment so start loving your flaws, your awkwardness, your everything. Life is so short just be yourself. Volunteer, read the books, set your alarm, and go work out. Eat healthily. Apply for that job. Do the work. Travel. Stop waiting for the right time- because there is no right time. There is only time and what you choose to do with it. No more waiting for someone to hand you the opportunity. No more excuses because of labels. You are capable, you are worthy, you are limitless.

Go out and create your own opportunities and stop listening to the haters. You can be everything and anything you want, and if people aren't hating you're doing something wrong.

Stay strong and beautiful my friends.

With all my love,

Cindy