Unexpected Bloggy Break & Diving into New Hobbies (Modeling!)

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I never thought I would be one of those bloggers who would disappear “without a trace” for more than a year…but it happened. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific reason why I decided to step away…at first it was unintentional, and then as the months went by, I felt comfortable with my new routines and newfound passions. In a way, I felt like I’d always have this space, if and when I chose to come back to it. Same thing with the podcast (ya’ll remember Pour the Coffee ?). With my friend and co-host leaving the project to start a new chapter in her life (motherhood), the podcast became something I still had, but I wasn’t publishing episodes as frequently…just when I felt like it.

My website domain and hosting renewals were coming up, and to be honest, I was contemplating shutting down the blog. My main reasons for keeping it up—at least maybe going into next year—are 1) I’m still very much annoyed when anyone uses the term “first generation Indian-American” when they are simply a “second gen desi”. “First generation” is literally the immigrant generation—why is everyone trying to be first all the time when they’re not? Lol!

So if the my blog’s URL helps with piquing curiosity and understanding why “second gen desi”, one mission accomplished ✅.

And 2) I still love looking back at all the posts I’ve written on the second gen experience, living abroad, running, and traveling. I will say my current interests have shifted—it’s been two years since I’ve been an expat, and that lifestyle is not something that interests me at this time—but I love to see that people still find my post about the EU Blue Card useful.

But now? What do I feel like writing about then?

After this long blog hiatus since mid-2024—sparked by a lack of motivation and unclear direction—I shifted my energy toward a creative dream I’d long put on hold: modeling.

What started as a gut-driven exploration quickly turned into a year-plus of runway auditions, portfolio-building, and fashion week experiences in NYC and LA, and internationally in cities like Cannes and Belgrade. While I haven’t entirely abandoned writing or podcasting, modeling became the more energizing outlet, offering both personal growth and professional connections. I figured, if I am going to have a comeback post now, might as well be about the one thing that stole me away from blogging in the first place!

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Modeling today is incredibly saturated. The “rules” of traditional modeling have dissolved thanks to social media and shifting aesthetics. For me, modeling has always been a dream, but I’ve also never intended to do it full-time. I enjoy balancing my scientific career with my creative pursuits.

It’s frustrating that the industry—and the public—often want to box people into one thing. But I thrive in multiple spaces. Modeling is just one part of my enriching and multi-faceted life.

Despite its challenges, modeling has brought immense joy. I’ve been selective with the work I take on, aiming for high-fashion editorial and artistic runway shows. Thanks to my job (the one that allows me to have a decent, sustainable salary lol), I’ve had the flexibility and financial means to travel to cities and countries for shows and shoots.

While compensation is ideal, I’m not driven by money. I’m more focused on networking, building credibility, and hopefully working with respected brands or designers through the connections I make. The real value lies in the experiences, the creative collaborations, and the freedom to pursue this on my own terms.

But believe me, like with anything I’ve set out to do, modeling is BOUNTIFUL when it comes to frustrations and irritations…below are just some highlights, I’d love to dive deeper into these topics in future posts perhaps, or maybe spill all the beans on a podcast episode 🙃:

1. The “Money” Question

One of my biggest pet peeves is getting asked that ridiculous question—“Did you get paid for that shoot/show?” Why is that anyone’s business? No one asks tennis players at the country club if they got paid for a match. Modeling, especially at the freelance level, is saturated and competitive. Many models, especially newer ones, do unpaid gigs for exposure or portfolio growth. And there’s nothing wrong with that if you’re having fun (which I feel like people have forgotten how to do in recent years).

Now that I have been modeling for over a year, I do consider myself more experienced, but will still often do things unpaid if I think it is worth my time or will offer me networking opportunities that will eventually work in my favor. Until I do land that “big gig” (which, in reality, is a rare occurrence even for the most well-represented models), I might as well have fun with the gigs I choose to do!

2. Poor Communication Skills Among Creatives

Many creatives in this space—photographers, designers, and other models—struggle with basic communication. Ghosting, vague responses, and last-minute cancellations are frequent occurences. As someone with a high emotional IQ and a professional background that values clear, empathetic communication, it can get incredibly frustrating.

Photographers holding back photos, designers changing models without informing them—unfortunately, there’s often lack of communication and professionalism in this space. When I walked in a show in Cannes earlier this summer, I had one of the designers I was supposed to walk for in a show replace me last minute without even telling me. I happened to see her talk to the show organizer out of the blue, looking in my direction. I knew something was up, and even the organizer disclosed to me that she thought the designer’s behavior was unprofessional. Despite the anger I felt about the situation, I took it all in stride. I was already walking for other designers who were happy with my look and wanted to work with me. I wanted to prioritize that and showcase their designs in the best light versus being hung up on one designer who did not want to work with me. Not my fault if others have communication issues and are unable to express their thoughts to others in a mature manner…

3. Cliquishness + Fake “Open Calls”

Open calls often pretend to be inclusive, but in reality, they repeatedly use the same faces. When you reach out to collaborate with other creatives and are told “nothing is in the works,” only to see them working with the same individuals they always work with—it’s disingenuous and undermines the push for real diversity.

I was more sensitive to this when I first started modeling, only because it did feel like a clique I wasn’t able to get into. But by looking outside the local community and willing to travel for opportunities, the probability of landing more opportunities increased. Now, I am pretty happy with the trajectory of my network, and I am always looking for the next *new* opportunity. I also treat model castings and applications like applying for a job—apply for every single one that interests you, log it, and move on! If they’re interested, you will hear back. And it doesn’t hurt to follow-up either!

4. Protecting Your Boundaries in a Shifting Industry

With AI and other emerging tech, models now have to be even more cautious. Some runway shows sneak in clauses allowing the use of your image in AI training, which is obviously a red flag for me. I’m also wary of the photographers and designers I choose to work with from a safety perspective—revealing boudoir or swimwear is not something I’m comfortable with, though I do see plenty of models who choose to participate in those types of shoots or shows. To each their own, but the risk of exploitation in those types of modeling is unfortunately higher.

That’s why boundaries, intention, and self-advocacy are crucial. I’m very selective about who I work with now, especially as someone who keeps my modeling world somewhat separate from my professional and personal circles. It’s not about hiding—it’s about protecting the creative space I’ve built for myself.

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This year has been incredibly hectic on all fronts, which I absolutely love. I’ve always loved staying busy, and having my hands full, even if it means exhaustion. Going forward with this blog, I guess I could write about my experience in upcoming fashion shows, interesting travels, or even the basic, tried-and-true “If We Were Having Coffee” posts just to keep in touch, but I don’t want to make any promises.

If you’ve stuck around this long, waiting for me to come back, I appreciate that with all my heart. I may not be the same Pree I was when you started following my journey, but I can assure you that my life right now is anything but boring!