We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Mendez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I have always been focused on school and work, and then modeling was added to the mix, sometimes it’s hard to find a good balance. However, the easiest way to do this is by learning to say no. As a nurse, my work has been so difficult recently due to Covid, and I have cherished my time when I’m not working. Luckily, I just finished my Bachelors program, so school should not be taking up my time for a year or two! Although I love to model and be creative, I also enjoy chilling at home binge-watching shows. We all know our limits, some people like to push past them but I do not find that is sustainable. I have learned that if I keep pushing myself, I burnout quicker and I am of no benefit to anyone, including myself. As someone who cares for others, I know I need to take care of myself and this is how I remember to find a balance in my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It was by no means easy to start modeling and networking with brands and people from the industry. It took a lot of believing in myself and learning to shut out the negative self-talk so that I could begin to model and grow as a creative. I’ve learned that by being a genuine person, people see me and my potential and appreciate me even more. I want people to know that I have wanted to model for years and when I finally got started, I could not be put in a box. I am a very diverse individual who can fulfill any look or vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a daily coffee drinker, so our days would probably all start in a coffee shop. I live in North Park so we’d start off at dark horse coffee roasters. There’s also a cute coffee shop in City heights called Ryan’s Bros Coffee. One of my other favorite coffee shops would be Cafe Moto in Barrio Logan. Breakfast Republic or The Mission in North Park are great options for breakfast or brunch. I would have to share an açaí bowl with my bff, and the best ones are at Northside Shack, Senor Mangos, and Disfrutalas. I would then take them to dinner at Encontro, Fortunate Son, or C-Level. I also love to go on hikes with my friends, so we’d probably hike Cowles mountain, then get a Chunky Monkey from Pure Press. Finally, it wouldn’t be a good trip to San Diego without a beach visit, so we’d go to any of the amazing beaches here to catch a sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to my family, friends, the supportive SD photographers, models, and business owners that I’ve had the pleasure of working with and who see potential in me.

Website: PatriciaMendez.onuniverse.com

Instagram: @_pattymodels

Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd6JF8oa/

Image Credits
@thewendy28 @e.m.b.photos_ @elegantique @wearewarriors @elizasweetphoto @cbaileystudios @marcusrecasner @crazyfolio @midwclothing @gracieographic @gymbuzz @theslrtist

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