It has been two months since I packed up my life and moved to London. I made this decision 2 weeks before my departure and did not look back. It was extremely terrifying and vulnerable for me. However, I knew it was right. As a person who is super in tune with their intuition and gut feelings, I tell myself that is how I justify these crazy decisions and moments. I also want to note that I made this decision amidst a pandemic. COVID-19 truly changed my outlook on life and opportunities and I never want to take that for granted. Now if that makes me selfish or irresponsible, so be it. I told myself that this was my time. My time to be reckless and do everything that I desired.

So I packed up my bags. Emailed multiple agencies and set out to London with no real plan. All I knew was that I envied the modelling industry out there and I wanted nothing more than to be a part of it. I knew that London embodied all that I was fighting for: Diversity, inclusion, fashion, and opportunities.

The reality is that life is not so black and white. Especially when it comes to making decisions that push you past your threshold. I became increasingly aware of this when I began first-year university. Life switched from certainty to having to adjust to every moment of adversity and failure. My path constantly changed and I found myself dealing with issues such as feelings of depression, an eating disorder, and heartbreak, and I never stopped questioning myself, who I was, and who I was going to be. Because of this, I strived for success but prepared myself for failure. I knew that I could be heading to London with no real promises and no real representation. I gave myself two goals. One was to sign to an agency and two was to walk in London fashion week which was happening in two weeks so I was cutting it a bit close.

Now you have to be super mindful of your personality type as well. I personally gravitate towards being very Type-A. I latch on to having a plan and I find comfort in telling people what I am going to do and how I am going to get there. I did this in university, in sports, and in every other facet of my life. This time I told everyone that I was going to London to model and I confessed that I had no real plan. Some commended me for it and some thought I was plain naive.

Life In London // The UPS and DOWNS

When I first moved to London, I felt like a fish out of water. Much like what I felt when I moved from Toronto. This time was different. I had moved to an entirely new continent with an entirely different culture. My first week here was spent navigating the tubes, and trains, and learning the social cues. Although it was exhilarating and new… It was also vulnerable and terrifying. I feared failure and loneliness. 

That is how I knew, I was testing myself. Instead of letting these feelings consume me, I set goals. I set the goal of signing to a model agency here, quitting my 9-5 job, and I aimed to find my place whether it be within people or places. I wanted to decipher which area resonated with me most (to live), who I wanted to surround myself with and who I wanted to be.

A new place will do that. It will make you question yourself, your place in society, where you fit in, and where you don’t. Essentially, it is the quickest way to cut the bulls***.

They signed me.

Within my first week in London, I signed with one of the biggest agencies and I was immediately added to the London Fashion Week 2022 show package. Now some people would say that I did the impossible. Typically an agency signs you, develops you, puts you on their new faces board, and waits for their clients to get used to you… I however was placed on the mainboard and promoted for London Fashion Week. I felt extremely grateful but I knew I deserved this. In every single meeting. I communicated that I want to, and I will walk in LFW 2022. Most agents responded with enthusiasm while one simply looked at me with doubt and expressed that I did not have enough experience. The reality is that people will doubt you no matter what. This is why it is pivotal for yourself and your grit for you to believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. I believe that work ethic is more valuable than anything. My willingness to get my own work visa, fly out, and meet agencies on my own alone should prove something and someone who chooses to represent me will know that. BMA understood that and my decision was clear.

Taking yourself out of your comfort zone will MAKE you grow

If I had not stepped outside my comfort zone. One that I had become accustomed to because of the pandemic... I would have never signed to an agency in London, walked London Fashion Week, and lived my spirit. Yes, it was extremely triggering but it also had the most beautiful moments. Intentionally leaving the comfort zone goes hand-in-hand with developing a growth mindset. While the fixed mindset keeps us trapped by fear of failure, the growth mindset expands the possibility. It inspires us to learn and take healthy risks, leading to positive outcomes across life domains.

Moving has opened my eyes up to new experiences, people, cultures, and spaces

I was blessed to be a part of a London Fashion Week that was more inclusive, diverse, and beautiful as ever. This experience embodied what I want to come out of this industry. I will not stop pushing for what I deserve and what I wish to see out of this industry. Wherever I am. Wherever I end up. The world is endless and the opportunities are banging.

Because I chose to move, I was able to do this all within the span of 3 weeks. I grazed multiple big publications, walked not only one, but three London Fashion Week shows, and signed to an agency. Don’t ever let anyone tell you your insane for wanting to make a big move. Keep that growth mindset and push yourself out of your comfort zone now!

MOVING SUCKS

In the move, your brain lost its working map of your life, and you have to start from square one and make a new one. And it's hard. That loss of familiarity is what makes moving so stressful and traumatic. This is also what helps you grow and redefine. Think of it as a clean slate and allow yourself to grow through it. Don’t be hard on yourself and accept human emotions.

CULTURE IS EXPERIENCE

Culture is a lived experience in the sense that it is the source of living Culture. When you enter new spaces and places, you find different foods, expressions, and people. This is overwhelming and beautiful and you must remember that you also bring your own culture along with you. Do not assimilate, rather stay open. The main cultural experience definition is the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group or country. In this context you will learn to appreciate the various cultures we have in different parts of the world.

TRUST YOUR PATH

I used to want to control all aspects of my life. What was next, where I was going to go next and how I was going to do it. Now I have learned the brilliance of taking things in stride. Setting mountain top goals and enjoying the little landmarks along the way. When you essentially surrender to your path and follow your heart, you never know where you will end up. Mine brought me to London and I trust it.

BEAUTY IN BEING PATHLESS 

There is beauty in changing your mind too. Let’s say you planned on being in Law school and now you are a full-time model. Paths change and that is okay. If you take this as a failure, you are not embodying a growth mindset at all. Being pathless to me is essentially being ruthless. I took the traditional path for so long that I became a robot. I thought
that if I stayed on trek that I would succeed and not disappoint anyone along the way. In turn, I may have ended disappointing myself. The only path I desire to be on is my own.

Now if London Is your next move

Benefits of living in London // The number of new arrivals in London each year and the ripe climate for businesses in the city are proof of the many benefits on offer. Whether you've just got a new job in the city, you're studying at a London university or you just fancy some excitement, London has a lot for the taking. Especially if you are a model or creative. The industry here is as diverse, inclusive, and booming as ever. It is beautiful and inspiring. Feel free to message me or email me regarding your questions and to elaborate on where you should head next.

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