I tried out for many things before landing my current gig as News Anchor/Media Personality. I auditioned to be a Radio Presenter (that eventually worked out)! I took a course in counselling psychology because I’ve always been fascinated by human emotions. But then one day, I’m not sure if this was because someone loosely suggested I try it, I auditioned to be a runway model! Now, I’m 5’5, but I didn’t let this bother me, even though the first casting call I was sent to was filled with long legged, amazonian structured gals and guys. I somehow made one of the cuts…it was over 15 years ago so that part remains blurry…
We were all called into a room to be ‘mentored’. We were easily 30 of us in number. One of the mentors, we’ll call her Mentor X, began the session by asking each of us what our dreams for the future looked like. The answers didn’t vary as such: I want to take to the catwalks of Milan and New York during Fashion Week, I want to appear on billboards across the country…
When my turn came I decided to be cliche, because I honestly wasn’t even sure what I was doing in that room! I said I wanted to be a runway model and before I could finish, Mentor X interrupted me, ‘How tall are you again?’ ‘5’5?’ I half asked and answered. ‘Stop right there; you’ll never make it to the runways, so you need to pick a different dream. Be realistic’. Her words verbatim. The room went silent with everyone trying not to look me in the eye. Of course it stung because it just felt unnecessary. Plus I was all of 17 years old…
I’m not sure how I picked myself up from that but something in me clicked. I had to choose to believe in me if no one else did. I’m so glad I made that decision! I would later walk the runways of Malaysia, but that’s a whole other blog post and embrace many a possibility thereafter.
I never stopped facing naysayers, for instance my stint in South Africa often bringing me face to face with xenophobia, racism and sexism.
We can often tend to feel demoralised in adverse conditions. Granted, piercing words and difficult situations sometimes pull the rug from under our feet. We stoop and feel low as if we are bending under their weight. But you’ll definitely feel better if you try to lift your spirits and also your head like a person determined to take up the challenge. Try it.
Head held high to the week of possibilities!
Credits:
Photography: @mosmwaniki
Styling: @iamladymandy
Skirt : @republi_ke
Bodysuit: @sashacollections_ke
Headwrap: mitandio by @kwesh.ug available @designingafricacollective
Make up: @rosentongondu
Shoes are a birthday gift from the lovely Shix Kapienga ❤
Location: http://westwoodhotelkenya.com/
60 comments
Waruguru Winnie
January 24, 2017 at 8:00 am
Wow! thanks for always sharing.
Looking forward to read “the walk on the runways of Malaysia”.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:44 am
Haha! Coming soon dear ? Although more like, what Malaysia taught me about myself!
beingrosemary
January 24, 2017 at 8:22 am
thank you for the inspiration Janet!
you are such a role model!
http://www.beingrosemary.com
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:44 am
Thank you my dear ??❤
phoebe
January 24, 2017 at 8:54 am
You are one amazing lady..you may never know how many people out there you inspire to be better each day.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:42 am
Bless you Phoebe! Thank you for adding something special to my day today. Much love ❤️
wambui
January 24, 2017 at 8:56 am
Thank you so much mama Huru for the article
Have a beautiful day ?
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:42 am
Thank yo for reading it Wambui! Have a beautiful day too ?❤
Alice
January 24, 2017 at 9:05 am
You always inspire me .
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:43 am
Thank you! Bless you ✨??
maureen
January 24, 2017 at 9:36 am
You such an inspiration to me..role model and a great woman.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 9:43 am
Thank you lovely! Humbled by your comment ??
Fiona nereah
January 24, 2017 at 10:26 am
Always an inspiration to me Janet thanks so much for the piece life will always throw curve balls at us but it is in praying, working hard, never giving up and having hope that always puts us back on track so thank you for reminding us that love you ??❤
mwana
January 24, 2017 at 11:03 am
Thanks mama huru..personaly going through such a situation but after reading this am soo ready to take up the challenge.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm
It shall be well Mwana. Nothing too big for you to defeat. God speed and God bless ?❤
Shelmith ng'ang'a
January 24, 2017 at 11:06 am
Eish!!!!this is beyond beautiful.. Again I never realized you have a baby face ….❤❤
You such a Great woman,mother,wife.. Such an inspiration!!!
Thanks for the article….
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Much love mami ❤❤
Maryan
January 24, 2017 at 11:41 am
I was feeling disappointed with.myself Janet..You are always my true inspiration.Love you
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Don’t beat yourself up dear. You’ve got this! Believe it! Bless you and keep your head up ??❤
Chebet Rono
January 24, 2017 at 11:57 am
what an incredible journey! Your willingness and passion for sharing of your journey inspires so many, some of who have/are yet to walk that similar path, and they walk through it prepared.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Thank you my dear! It brings me joy to tell my stories and hopefully inspire someone! Bless ??❤
Rose
January 24, 2017 at 12:17 pm
That is quite a great story…. You are auch an inspiration. Keep it up.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Thank you dear Rose ?❤
Jacinta Chege
January 24, 2017 at 2:00 pm
…. I just love u Janet, being a woman that inspires other women is reason enough. Indeed, you teach me a great lesson; it’s not just the physical beauty but the gutsy attitude of going for what you want no matter what…. Now that is the Beauty that can never ever fade. Will not get tired of saying this Janet, God bless u abundantly… Oooh! I almost forgot: I love your look in those sneakers and a long skater skirt.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:24 pm
Thanks a lot hun! Beauty fades, it’s what’s inside that counts more ? And sneakers are my new addiction so that you for feeling me on that! ??❤
spencer
January 24, 2017 at 2:03 pm
I have always liked your stories.. Your boldness.. Your humor..your style nd everything. You r an inspiration to many especially me…your stories keep me moving even when I feel like dropping everything and dissapear.. Thank you nd may God bless you more.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Bless you big Spencer! Your message is so kind. Asante ?❤
spencer
January 24, 2017 at 8:02 pm
You r most welcome.. Continue lifting those who may feeling like dissapearing from the surface due to life’s disapointments
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 12:37 pm
I will try my level best, Spencer, asante ?????
NDUTA
January 24, 2017 at 3:12 pm
wooow…i love that,i was in an interview yesterday n i got such a nasty feedback…but that article has really has made me nt to give up bt to go for it…thanx mama Huru
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:22 pm
That makes me so happy to hear Nduta! Stay strong ?? Happy to know the article has inspired you! ???
Faith mwende
January 24, 2017 at 3:19 pm
I love this woman… Humble and cool…. Your story is inspiring… I know my dream to be a model will just be like yours….
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Much love Faith! Thank you! ❤❤
Faith mwende
January 24, 2017 at 3:21 pm
I love this woman.. Humble and cool… Your story is just inspiring… I know my dream to become a model will end up like yours God’s willing…. God bless you janet
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Much love to you Faith and thank you! ?❤
Naomi
January 24, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Incredible……very inspiring.
Janet Mbugua
January 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Many thanks Naomi ❤
James Maina
January 24, 2017 at 5:46 pm
The good apostle Paul said we all have a Spiritual gift given to us from the Heavens. Exhortation would be yours Janet. You do it so well especially because you meet your readers where they are. And yes, that post just lifted my spirits. Nice shoes.
kui waruingi
January 24, 2017 at 9:49 pm
I really love reading your articles,am always inspired to see th positive side of life.i hav had it rough…being a single mum,being jobless…en so many other struggles of life bt am praying and hoping 2017 is my year of hope,great things will happen en I will nt cry myself to sleep anymore.thnks janet
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Thank you for your comment Kui and for finding inspiration in my posts. I know it must get tough sometimes but I’m learning that the more we decide what we want and go after it, the better we sleep at night knowing that we are searching for our purpose. It affects all arrays of life including your parenting and your happiness. Give a big hug to your little angel and just know that God’s got you ??❤
kui waruingi
January 25, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Thnks Janet..i definitely will giv him a hug,he is the reason I hav to kip hope alive.?
Janet Mbugua
January 26, 2017 at 8:28 am
?❤
Sally
January 25, 2017 at 5:13 am
I was introduced to your blog by a friend. This particular post necessitated a response as it spoke to me. I was once told by one of my parents that I wouldn’t amount to much. Sometimes the stinging words/naysayers come from very close. When a nassayers is someone that does not know you, it’s something else but your own parent can be debilitating. I now hold doctorate degree but still fight the words when I think of my next career moves. I think I consider work to fight through the fear of inferiority that those words so long ago brought about. Keep sharing your stories. Thank you.
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Sally, what a powerful response to my post. First of all, the strength it must have taken you to fight those words to achieve a doctorate tells me you’re a very courageous person. I applaud you, I celebrate you. Secondly, I think you seem to understand what I’m trying to say, about fighting the noise and figuring out your path. You’re already there…now keep the faith alive more than the negativity. I can’t imagine the pain of a loved one not believing in you but I believe you’ve already won the battle. Bless you, and thank you for sharing ❤❤
Saadia
January 25, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Wow! I always get inspired reading your blogs.you choose a right journey sharing your journey with people who love you most.
Am a medic by profession and sometimes back someone told me eeeeh stop wasting your time you will not make it in a medical school ,thank God I didnt listen to them .
Yeah it’s good to keep your head high and forget about naysayers.life is perfect when we took it positively.
Thanks beautiful and stay blessed always
Much ????
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Thank you my dear! I’m so glad you didn’t listen. I’ve often wondered why people are so quick to put others down. Keep shining, keep soaring. Much love ❤
Darlpheen
January 25, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Awwwww reading this just blows my mind. What an inspiration piece Janet!! This just uplifts my spirit and gives me an out of this world confidence.
Many thanks dear.
Janet Mbugua
January 25, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Thanks so much Darlpheen! I’m so happy to hear that! ???
Naomi
January 26, 2017 at 4:15 pm
The best part of this blog for me is your stories. I often feel like we are chatting and that’s an element many bloggers lack. kudos Janet.
Janet Mbugua
January 27, 2017 at 6:22 am
Thank you my dear! That’s kind of you to say. Bless you big ?❤
Deborah Anyango
January 26, 2017 at 6:01 pm
The post just gave me motivation to be courageous and not fear what the world says. I have been suffering from self disbelief but i will get to believing in myself and not fearing to be different. I know am not there but my journey to being there just started. Thank you Janet. Stay blessed.
Janet Mbugua
January 27, 2017 at 6:12 am
Thank you my dear, I know we all go through moments of self-doubt. It’s ok finding that it’s so important to get to the bottom of that because if we don’t, those moments will come back to haunt us time and time again. Thanks for being inspired by my post. Much love dear ❤
esther ngige
January 27, 2017 at 5:14 pm
aaaaw janet thats so inspiring am 22 in campus at k.u trying to realise my dreams but i got ths passion for fashion though at times i do feel so discouraged coz am persuing a degree in english and literature but what i know for sure is that i wanna have my own cloth line and like you have my bill boards all over the country. i loooove u so much u the best
Christine
January 27, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Looking forward to many of these inspiring posts.. ION, your outfit is awesome.. Plus i just love how you make time to reply to every comment.. kudos girl
https://christietina.wordpress.com/
Janet Mbugua
January 27, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Thank you my dear. I appreciate someone who takes time to read and comment on my blog posts. Looking forward to checking yours out! Bless ??❤
felister
February 1, 2017 at 10:04 am
woooow!!!!!!!greatly inspired by the blog DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!Thanks for sharing and loking forward for more inspiring blogs..i just love all your blogs
Janet Mbugua
February 1, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Thank you dear! ❤❤
Elidah mwangi
February 2, 2017 at 8:35 pm
Wooow! I’m so overwhelmed!
Thanks much.
I’m inspired
Possibilities! Never giving up .
Head held high.
Marion
March 30, 2017 at 5:12 pm
I love all your blogs but did you quit writing i cant see your March 2017 blog. I look forward to many
Janet Mbugua
April 11, 2017 at 8:13 am
Hi Marion! I began to concentrate on I Am Motherhood (www.iammotherhood.love) but I’ll now be blogging actively here as well. Bless ❤