Mind Over Matter

Over the past year, i've dealt with a lot of transition. We all have our social media life, and though everything may appear to be going great, beneath those smiling photos, you never truly get the whole picture, pun intended. From moving twice this past year, pursuing school full time, going through a bad breakup, family issues, educating myself on how to run a small business, and trying to create meaningful work while going through bouts of depression, I began to struggle. My anxiety soared as I stretched myself thin- feeling I was doing so much, but not progressing as fast as I thought I should. I began to hate myself, thinking I was a failure in every aspect of my life. I shut myself in my room often and became isolated, thinking that nobody would want to hear that I needed help, because let's be honest- when someone asks you, "how have you been?" You feel socially obligated to say, "great!" After months of feeling sorry for myself, something snapped and I realized that I needed to change my routines and surround myself with people who truly care about my well being and growth as a person. I began working out almost daily, finding solace and peace of mind on my runs at the gym. As the days went by, I felt more confident about my path in life. Not only was I happier about my physical appearance, but during my runs, I was able to tune out the world and prioritize what is important to me. It's easy to get distracted and caught up in your emotions when everything seems to be going wrong. I took a long break from modeling after my last relationship and I'm so happy to be getting back into it, though it isn't my main focus anymore. I'm far from done with my journey toward wellness, but I can say with confidence and vigor that through all the negativity, hard truths were learned, and I would not trade any of my experiences for a different life. I am not looking for praise, but instead hope that this honesty inspires those who are doubting themselves, and though the road less traveled is a difficult one, it's the only way to ensure your growth. 

Photography: Thomas Finke

XO,

Mink