Nik Hampshire, Chase Models NY model and fashion blogger is good at many things. When he’s not slaying the modeling scene, you can find him rapping, snowboarding, biking, unicycling, pogo-sticking, writing, hiking, cliff jumping, eating pizza (yes, it’s a hobby), or netflix and chilling (and by this he means actually chilling. But also, netflix and chilling). In other words, he’s more than just a triple threat. So naturally, it only seemed fitting to feature him as our first man crush for Man Crush Monday, and I had the pleasure of chatting with him about his thoughts on bouncing back, sexual orientation, society’s unjust distribution of wealth, and zombie tattoos…you know, things you would talk about in a normal conversation. Read on for some seriously killer thoughts and ideas from a down-to-earth dude.
How have you bounced back from a bad break-up?
Well, being aromantic (at least for me) means I’ve never really felt heartbreak. That being said, the lowest I’ve ever been in my life was when I was sort of cut out of a group of people I thought were my friends. I felt really down and alone and just really disliked. To bounce back I just threw myself into my interests, art and surrounded myself with those friends that I knew were true. It really helped me appreciate those people that were there for me and see people for who they really are. Being a part of those kind of friendships really helped me feel better about myself.
What’s one thing you wish you could change about the world?
I wish humans weren’t so prone to greed. The distribution of wealth in this world is absurd and even if that were to somehow change, those who want more wealth and power than others would just work towards hoarding it all again one way or another. If we were all somehow rid of greed and more open to the betterment of society and culture I just think it would solve a lot of other problems.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about being aromantic?
That it’s an actual orientation! That it doesn’t mean I just “haven’t met the right person” or that I’m “scared of commitment” or that I “must have been hurt before” or “damaged”. Over my years of dating and the occasional short lived relationship, I’ve heard all these reasons from friends and partners alike of why I am the way that I am and none of them really felt right to me. Being aromantic and partially romantic repulsed, I’ve just never really felt comfortable being in a relationship. Because of this I’ve spent most of my years being single and analyzing my own feelings and behaviors. I basically knew I was aromantic before I knew about the term or that it was an actual thing. Learning about the term and that it’s an actual orientation just sort of validated my feelings a bit. i think more people should know that it exists and not try to invalidate or rationalize or “fix” people who identify as it.
Do you have any specific advice or a personal life motto you like to tell yourself on bad days?
It’s cliche as hell but I have the words “life goes on” tattooed across my collar. I find the truth in the statement works on two levels that both give me comfort.
The first is how I imagine most people take it and appreciate it. The idea that no matter how bad we might mess up, life goes on and we’ll have another chance to do better tomorrow is comforting. The second way I relate to these words some may find unsettling but help ground me. No matter what I do, whether I’m here or gone, life itself goes on. Our decisions and actions have a very small impact on the overall stage of existence. It doesn’t matter how badly I might have messed something up or how bad I might feel. At the end of the day it’s all kind of inconsequential and irrelevant in the grand scheme of things so it’s hardly worth worrying about. Life goes on.
Also, below that quote is a zombie woman on my chest so in the instance of the undead rising hungry for flesh and brains, still… life goes on. A little less poignant but you gotta have fun with life, ya know? All work and no play and all that!
What’s your favorite thing you like to treat yourself to?
Always pizza.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
Start sooner. Start literally everything sooner.
