Following her crowning as Miss World, Rolene Strauss had to change her mindset and had to learn to say no to societal expectations of perfection.
Strauss was talking at an event during the recent Toyota US Woordfees in Stellenbosch.
Rolene Strauss and Tracey Lang during a discussion of Strauss’ book, Reflections from the Heart. PHOTO: Octavia Spandiel
Strauss was crowned Miss South Africa in 2014, and later that year was crowned Miss World. Soon after, she realised that no one really knew who Rolene was.
Last year, she published a book, Reflections from the Heart, to show people who she was. But with the book she also hoped to help women think about how they reflect on themselves. In the book, she encourages women to say no to the societal construct of perfection.
Strauss signing copies of her book, Reflections from the Heart, at the Toyota US Woordfees. PHOTO: Octavia Spandiel
Women compare their weaknesses to the strengths of other women, Strauss said.
“There was a time that I measured myself to what the world said is perfect,” she said.
Strauss meeting with her supporters, after her Toyota US Woordfees event discussion. PHOTO: Octavia Spandiel
She warned that social media plays an important role in how people perceive themselves, particularly because people only post about the good things in their lives.
“I think it is still difficult for me to share the difficult parts of myself,” she said. “Today, with social media, it’s easy to post the good things in life.”