glamour models
The comfort zone for models is no different from any other profession. Comfort zone is the imaginary boundary that people create for themselves within which they believe they have to function. It’s a defense mechanism that keeps us from becoming anxious. A model’s comfort zone is probably more expansive because of the exhibitive nature of her work. Being comfortable exposing her body to a variety of people has to lie within her comfort zone. The average woman does not pose in scantily clad lingerie and get paid for it. That’s outside her comfort zone.
Models remain in their comfort zones for the same reason the rest of us do. We manage our anxiety by staying with the familiar and comfortable. We feel secure doing the same thing over and over. Unless we are challenged, we don’t have any reason to change. Most models create comfort zones in clothing, facial expressions, body language and appealing look (however they might define that). Anxiety about the new and different is too difficult to face, so they behave in the same ways consistently to avoid having to feel anxious. They convince themselves internally that they ‘cannot handle’ doing something unusual or different.
Female Model Jessie
We also avoid changing behavior because we’re concerned about what someone else will think. Comfort zones become personal prisons because we’re concerned about acceptance from others. Models must be concerned about response from those viewing their pictures; it’s their livelihood. If a model does something new and different for a photo shoot, what is going to be the response? We are all conditioned to believe we cannot live without approval from others. If a model has been doing something for months or years that works for her, why should she change? Most models stay within their defined comfort zones so they do not have to risk losing approval and potentially their livelihood.
Complacency is the real risk for a model dealing with her comfort zone. She feels secure within her imaginary boundaries. She can become lazy without knowing it. She’s comfortable there; why should she go some place where she is uncomfortable? In the extreme, she can become apathetic and the resulting photos show her inertia.
How can a model take a look at her comfort zone and decide to step out? Highly successful people step out of their comfort zones with regularity. They identify a goal they want to achieve and that path requires new and different behavior patterns to reach the goal. A question she might ask herself in confronting her initial rise in anxiety is, What is the worst thing that can happen? Talking over possible answers to that question with her friends could prove helpful. She might more easily manage the risk if she knows what could potentially result from the change she is considering. She might also discover the beliefs supporting her current comfort zone are unfounded. For example, she might discover her livelihood is not really threatened.
The more entertaining question to consider is, What is the best case scenario? This issue is easier to consider, and again, her friends might be helpful with possible responses. The enticement of something good or even really great could be just the impetus needed to make the change.
Although the comfort zone is an imaginary set of boundaries, the accompanying anxiety trying to step outside the box is very real. Don’t take huge leaps in your attempts to redirect your career; one or two steps at a time is a better plan. Check out how new behaviors feel, and then ask yourself if your comfort zone can begin to be redefined to include something you never considered possible in your life.
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