The Kim Kardashian West Conversion
A polarizing public figure and reality star, Kim Kardashian West is one of those celebrities you either love or hate. She is often slammed for being vain, vapid, and fame-obsessed, among other things. Now, she is being criticized for wanting to pursue a career in law, following in the footsteps of her father Robert Kardashian.
While her method to becoming a lawyer seems unconventional (you can read more about it here), it is both legitimate and legal. She is putting in her time through independent study and apprenticeship, and yet that is not enough for the critics, who feel she should “stay in her lane.”
Kardashian West has been extremely successful in building her brand and becoming an accomplished businesswoman, which is often overlooked as “less than” because she is a reality star, social media figure, and fashion guru, therefore she hasn’t done anything “important.” She is often viewed by the public as someone who is shallow and incapable of contributing to society. Needless to say, the public has had trouble taking seriously the revelation that Kardashian West wants to be a lawyer.
However, let’s examine the flip side for a minute. Kardashian West has built an empire and a fan base of people who pay attention to her just because of who she is. That is power. It is an incredible use of that power for Kardashian West to better herself through the study of law in the hopes of making an impact as a lawyer. She is in a position to draw attention to the important issues, and will likely inspire her fans to pursue their dream careers and make a difference in their own way. She deserves respect for moving forward with her education in a way that works for her, regardless of the criticism and taunting she receives.
We, and women especially, can learn two things from Kardashian West. Regardless of where you are now and what you are doing, you can always branch out in a new direction, pursue a new dream, and try things that are seemingly opposite of your current path. It doesn’t and shouldn’t matter, and it is definitely never too late. There is a time and place to “stay in your own lane,” but the process of chasing your dreams and goals should never be one of them. Secondly, you cannot pay attention to the haters. Kardashian West (and many others in history) would never have gotten to the level of success they have achieved if they had taken personally the comments of even one doubter. When you do something that is unexpected, for some reason others may have a hard time coping with that—and it’s not your problem. Your story is about you, and your life should be lived for the things that fulfill you. Everything else is just background noise.
Whether you are a big fan of the Kardashian clan or not, it is admirable for Kardashian West to take a risk and challenge herself. It will be interesting to see what she does with this new chapter of her life.
