Amy McCulloch is the co-author of the #1 YA bestselling novel The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow (alongside Zoella founder, Zoe Sugg), and has written seven solo novels for children and young adults. She’s also an outdoorsy force to be reckoned with. 

When she’s not writing, she can be found travelling, hiking and mountaineering and in September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). If you’ve already finished Breathless for this month’s book club, you’ll know all about the perils of that particular summit!

Best known for her YA books, Breathless marks her debut into the world of adult thrillers in what is arguably her most daring fictional outing to date. Here, Amy combines her own experience climbing Mount Manaslu with a chilly and addictive murder mystery that’s sure to leave you recording frantic voice notes to your pals in the middle of the night, willing them to read it at once. 

From the books waiting on her tbr pile to her writing process (she really can write anywhere) and mountainside epiphanies, we caught up with Amy to see how 2022 is treating her and what’s next on her bucket list of adrenalin-filled adventures and big bookish peaks, yet to climb…

Congratulations on the debut of your first adult fiction book! As your first venture into the genre, how different was the writing experience compared with that of writing children’s books and YA? 

Thank you! I didn’t find the writing experience that different, as young adult books are similar in length to adult novels and just as rich and complex! But it was nerve-wracking branching out into the very crowded Crime/Thriller market and I knew that avid readers of crime expect gripping books with twists that really deliver – I focused a lot on trying to get it right (I hope I did!)

How much of your personal mountain-climbing experience makes it into the book? Have you ever had a near death experience whilst mountaineering?!

I brought a lot of my personal experience to the mountain – I was taking a lot of notes while I was climbing and even sat down to write in the Death Zone! I was lucky though to have a much smoother expedition than Cecily, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have its dangers. Like many mountaineers, I discovered that the most dangerous part of any climb is the way down. After making the summit, I was thrilled – but also exhausted, having climbed throughout the night. On the way down, I was on my own (my Sherpa had been called off to help with a rescue), tired, keen to get to base camp quickly and… I slipped. I wasn’t able to stop myself using any of the self-arrest techniques I had practiced. I was tumbling out of control. Thank god, I had remembered to clip into the safety line. Eventually the line caught and I was able to come to a stop. It was a huge lesson in respecting the mountain – just because I’d made the summit, didn’t mean I was safe yet. 

We have to ask, is Charles’ character based on Nirmal Purja? 

While Charles is attempting to break a world record like Nims, that’s where the character similarities stop! I based Charles more on the famous white male mountaineers – people like Reinhold Messner and Ueli Steck – who have climbed these massive peaks. Breathless isn’t semi-autobiographical as it is most definitely fiction, but of course, I drew from my own experience. Climbing with Nims on Project Possible for his #14Peaks challenge was great – it felt like I was at the forefront of mountaineering history. He’s highly motivating as a leader, and helped to pull me out of some real down moments at camp where I wasn’t sure if I could continue. At the time I signed up to climb with him on Aconcagua in 2018, I didn’t know what a global superstar he would turn out to be – but it was obvious from being on his team that he operates at an extremely high level, while also being a lot of fun, and that was inspiring.

We know from talking to you about The Magpie Society that you love writing the dark and gritty stuff. Have you always wanted to write a high-stakes adult thriller and when did the jumping-off point for Breathless first come to you?

To be honest, I thought I would always write for children and young adults. It wasn’t until I got to the base camp that I realised the setting was perfect for an adult thriller. The isolation of the camp, the danger of the mountain, plus a whole camp full of strangers – it seemed made for a scary, thrilling story. But it would be difficult for those characters to be teenagers, so I decided to have a go at writing my first book for adults!

The mountain feels like a main character in the book. You nailed the atmosphere! What came to you first, the murder mystery element or the remote snowbound setting? 

Oh, definitely the setting! I had no idea about the plot when I was on the mountain – that all came after. But I did a lot of journaling, recording my own personal experience on the mountain, so I could bring that to the novel. The murder mystery I came up with during lockdown.

How was the research side of things for the book? You already have heaps of experience and personal material to draw on but was there anything you had to do your homework on to make for an authentic and accurate story? 

A lot! Even though I have experience with mountaineering, I’m still only one point of view. I wanted to make the whole thing feel real, so I did a lot of research while building up the back story of each character. I also read up on my mountaineering history and literature, especially controversies in mountain records. So reading accounts by people like Reinhold Messner, Jon Krakauer and Bonita Norris was fascinating. 

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about five months in total to write once I knuckled down to it! 

*Team Zoella fall off their chairs in admiration at this point*

It sounds like you’ve really got summit fever. Do you have any other challenges on your bucket list you want to tick off, mountaineering or otherwise? 

Because of lockdown, I’ve shifted my goals a bit closer to home – though I did manage to get out to the Alps to climb Mont Blanc. My next “summit” is actually to complete an ultra marathon – as I’m writing this, I’m preparing to set off for the Marathon des Sables, a 250km ultra marathon through the Sahara desert. By the time this has been posted, I may have completed it … or maybe not! 

What’s your writing process like? Are you a meticulous plotter or more of a pantser? 

I’m mostly a pantser. I do generally have an idea of where I want the plot to go, especially the ending, but otherwise I let the characters lead. I didn’t even know who the killer was until I got to that bit of the writing process!  

What was it about the Death Zone that you found particularly inspiring when you were writing? 

I think it’s because it’s one of the few places on Earth where life isn’t sustainable – every second you spend in the Death Zone, your body is breaking down. I wanted to try to translate that experience to the page, because it’s naturally thrilling and terrifying. Yet it’s also one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Watching the sunset slowly illuminate the world, turning marshmallow clouds pink, orange and purple, as the tips of gigantic mountains lit up – beneath me – was incredible. I know it’s a rare privilege to get to see that, and it doesn’t get more inspirational than that.

In September 2019, you became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal. What an achievement! As the world’s eighth highest peak, that’s no mean feat – when did you decide you had to climb Manaslu and complete the challenge? 

Thank you so much! I actually was asked to climb Manaslu by Nims Dai (Nirmal Purja, mentioned above), as part of his Project Possible team. It felt like the chance to witness mountaineering history unfold in front of my eyes, and so it felt like an unmissable opportunity. I had no real expectation that I would reach the summit myself – I wanted to give it my best shot, but it seemed like something way out of my mountaineering league! But under the guidance of Nims and Mingma David (the other expedition leader), I made it – showing me that I was more capable than I ever could have imagined.

What’s been the most random thought, moment of clarity or epiphany you’ve had whilst up a mountain? 

There’s a phrase that I actually put in the book: “Be Bothered”. It was one of my mantras on the mountain. I had to be bothered to fix issues the moment they arose – if I felt thirsty, I took a drink; if I had a wrinkle in my sock, I stopped to smooth it out before it could become a blister; I was always bothered to clip into the safety line even when I couldn’t see any danger. Remembering to do all the little things kept me alive on the mountain, but when you’re so tired and drained, it can feel like a chore. I feel like it’s something I’ve applied to my non-mountaineering life too. It’s been good practice to always try and be bothered, to check in with myself and with the people I care about. You never know when it could save a life.

Cecily Wong, the main character in Breathless, struggles with imposter syndrome. How do you deal with moments of doubt and feelings of inadequacy in your career? Writing and getting published can be a real journey can’t it? 

It really can. That’s definitely something I’ve faced in my own career and on the mountain too. I think two things really help: one is remembering that it’s totally normal to feel like an imposter when you’re striving to reach new heights (literally or metaphorically!). It means you’re challenging yourself. And secondly, I really find it helps me to keep a list of things I’ve accomplished that I’m proud of. It doesn’t have to be big things – like reaching the summit or getting a publishing deal. It can be small too. Like a great comment on the manuscript from a beta reader, or reaching the next camp on the mountain. It’s so easy to let the negative thoughts dominate, that it can help me to have a physical reminder of the good things I’ve done too.

How do you combat writer’s block? The physical onward push of a climb makes for quite a nice metaphor for writing, actually. How much do your two greatest passions complement one another? 

If there’s one thing mountaineering and writing have in common, it’s resilience! If you watch my video The Story Behind Breathless, I talk a lot about how the two pursuits complement each other. There are no shortcuts in writing – to be honest, to combat writer’s block, I have to tell myself that the only way forward is to get my butt in that chair and try to write. The muse works for me, not the other way around! But if it’s really not happening, then I don’t worry too much about writing in chronological order. I try to write a scene that I’m excited about. Anything that gets me back in the writing mood and a few hundred words toward my goal!

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever had? 

Read, read, read! And not just the classics of the genre. If you want to write YA, it’s no good to just read Twilight and the Hunger Games, you have to read what’s out there right now – the debut novelists, the best sellers, the under the radar hits – so you can see where your writing fits in the market. 

What’s on your TBR pile right now? 

Since I’ve been so busy training for the Marathon des Sables, I’ve barely had any time to read! But top of my teetering TBR pile are some brilliant crime/thrillers like Deep Water by Emma Bamford and A Stranger on Board by Cameron Ward. On the YA side, I’m really looking forward to reading Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle!

A book you can’t wait to read in 2022…

I loved The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse so I can’t wait to read her second novel, The Retreat! 

Despite what the name may suggest, an artist date doesn’t require you to paint pensively with a rose between your teeth (unless that’s your MO, ofc), so for those of us who struggle to draw a stickman, you’re off the hook. Simply put, the artist date demands that you spend time with yourself, play, have fun or do something that nourishes your soul – a concept we can all get on board with, whether art is in our wheelhouse or not.

For context, the concept came from author Julia Cameron. In her bestselling book The Artist’s Way – a spiritual manual for creative recovery – she created an invaluable step-by-step guide to living the artist’s life, centred around three pillars: morning pages, artist dates and walking. Working with the principle that creative expression is the natural direction of life, she provides the toolkit we all need to nurture our creativity. 

So, what does an artist date look like IRL? Julia describes the practice as, “a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.”

Whether you take yourself off for a day with your camera to take photos just for you, visit a new coffee shop, head to a gallery or a National Trust property, or simply indulge in a bougie lunch for one with a book in a hand, there are endless ways to top up your creativity and relish in a hearty dose of giddy delights for giddy delight’s sake. They can be as elaborate or as everyday as you want to make them, just as long as it brings you unadulterated joy.  

Carving time for yourself is something a lot of people feel huge resistance towards. In today’s fast-paced overconnected world, spending time with yourself feels like an alien concept to most – a novelty usually dreamt up between the pages of a journal but never really actualised because a better or more pressing offer always comes up. It feels indulgent to focus our undivided attention on ourselves, even for just an hour or two. We’re willing to work on creativity (sometimes) but simple pleasures? Not so much. There’s always something more deserving of our time than sitting with ourselves. 

Team Zoella were keen to put Julia Cameron’s game-changing practice to the test and see what wisdom we could gain from wooing our inner artists and nurturing our consciousness, one artist date at a time. Keep reading to find out how the team got on! 

Charlotte’s Artist Date…

I bloody love my alone time, and despite being quite sociable I definitely lap up any opportunities to sit with myself and my feelings, so the concept of an artist date is right up my alley! I regularly enjoy a walk on my own or taking my book to a coffee shop so for this challenge (if you will) I wanted to do something a little more out of my comfort zone and decided on an evening meal by myself. I absolutely love Purezza- a vegan pizza spot in Brighton- and decided I didn’t want to wait for a friend to be free to come with me and instead made a booking for one!

For some reason, the idea of sitting in a restaurant alone feels far more intimidating than hanging out alone in the day, and during the couple of hours before my booking, I was definitely feeling a little anxious at the prospect of walking in and what other diners and the staff would be thinking (spoiler: nothing). I definitely overanalysed my outfit choice- I’d normally wear something a bit more dressy to go out for dinner but on this occasion, I wanted to blend into the background a little more so opted for a knitted brown midi dress and chunky boots. The restaurant is only a couple of minutes from my house which definitely made the whole experience feel more manageable, and when I arrived I was seated in the window which I was assured was great for people watching.

Being seated in the window, in a little nook away from the bigger groups celebrating birthdays or occasions was perfect for one as could feel the energy of being around others without then feeling out of place on my own. I finished my pizza, read some more of my book and settled the bill before taking the short walk home and plonking myself in front of Netflix to enjoy Taylor’s Reputation Stadium tour- a fabulous night all around!

I think ticking off one solo date has given me the confidence to explore more activities on my own, and I definitely won’t let it hold me back from the things I want to do in the future if I don’t have company to enjoy something with. Next on my list is a solo gig!

Lareese’s Artist Date…

Unbeknownst to me, I’ve been doing accidental artist dates for… well, years. From mediative walks with a podcast between my ears (Fearne Cotton’s dulcet tones usually) to heading off to the park with a book and a picnic blanket, spending time with myself is how I recharge.

I’ve always preferred shopping on my own, I’d think nothing of ordering a table for one at lunchtime with nothing but a carafe of wine and Sally Rooney for company and I did all my marathon training on my tod but until this ‘We Tried’ feature, I hadn’t really given it much thought. I just knew I liked my own company in a major way. I love love love spending time with people but I often end up feeling quite frazzled afterwards and have to unplug from all forms of communication to feel balanced and creatively raring to go again. The idea of a once-weekly solo expedition whether it be to the cinema, a coffee shop or simply to sit on a bench and stare into the abyss fills me with stupid amounts of joy (can you tell I’m the one who pushed this We Tried on everyone, can ya?) and the chance to prioritise simple pleasures over grand plans will never be wasted on me.

Of course I loved the opportunity to replenish my inner well. I’m a simp for sea air and putting one foot in front of the other for the sheer hell of it, after all. I watched the waves, I savoured my coffee, I focused on my breathing, I felt the sun on my big arse cheeks. I listened to some Norah fucking Jones. And it was glorious. I took the scenic route home (read: went via Waterstones. PEAK romance. And I’m not even afraid to say I was there for opening like the desperate bibliophile that I am). Jules, babes – your work here is done.

Julia Cameron’s artist date is something that’s readily available to all of us as a free tool of self-nourishment. It’s ‘me time’ stripped back with an artistic twist and a way of committing to some realistic, free and practical self-care and just-for-fun activities. Benefits include: ample serotonin and cancel any time membership, though, you probably won’t even want to (for once).

You heard what the honourable TikTok lady said: you have to start romanticising your life – may as well start with an artist date.

Darcey’s Artist Date…

I’ve always really enjoyed my alone time but I must admit that I am definitely less likely to go sit in a coffee shop or restaurant on my own, I usually have alone time in my bedroom watching a Netflix series, which is a pretty standard thing to do!

I’ve been travelling before and so I’ve sat in many restaurants and cafes on my own to have dinner etc and always enjoyed the time on my own, it wasn’t scary being sat alone but I do think being in a foreign country usually makes you care less about these things. I think because maybe I couldn’t speak the language it feels as if you are in a bubble anyway? But for some reason in my hometown, the idea of going to a restaurant on my own or just out for lunch seems a lot more intimidating!

For my artist date, I thought I’d ease myself into some alone time which wasn’t within the comfort of my own home and took myself out for a wholesome coffee date. There are so many lovely coffee shops around where I live so I took myself to one of those and grabbed my go-to order of an oat milk latte and a croissant. The vibes are always good in these coffee shops, but I decided to sit outside and enjoy the warmer weather. To be honest, I didn’t feel like anyone was even remotely bothered that I was sat alone once I was sat down, I think that’s the biggest hurdle when considering taking yourself on a date is feeling like people will be wondering why you are on your own! I enjoyed my coffee very much so, I didn’t even read a book or scroll too much on my phone and tried to just enjoy the moment, easier said than done I must admit when I’m so used to scrolling when I’m on my own in public.

I wandered down to the flower shop around the corner and bought myself some tulips, because why not buy yourself flowers! I enjoyed my me-time a lot and I proved to myself that actually taking this time for myself is the ultimate self-care and something I should do more often. I think next time I’d like to go on a solo cinema date!

Danielle’s Artist Date…

I don’t really have any qualms with being alone as I think I’m a bit of an introverted extrovert which is to say I need time alone to re-charge my batteries. I wouldn’t say doing things on my own in public scares me but I rarely organise like that because I always assume I’ll be bored. When I’m alone at home I’m usually watching a tv show or doing errands or if I’m out with the dog I have a podcast on, so I’m not left alone with thoughts very often.

I generally don’t arrange to eat at a restaurant or go on a traditional date with myself as I just think I’d be bored which is quite sad, but I think it’s because I spend enough time alone with my thoughts (mostly when I swim, obviously very little distractions there) that anything extra isn’t necessary. I love the idea of doing something nice for yourself, especially if quality time is your love language, and I wanted to challenge myself by doing something that makes me feel a little more uncomfortable which would be a full-on sit-down restaurant on my own! I also have always wanted to go to the cinema on my own but never got around to doing it so I decided to throw this in the mix as well.

I had a day off after my birthday weekend and my boyfriend was working so I thought this would be the perfect time to commit to the artist date! First up I decided on breakfast as this is the meal I have out the least and also the most relaxed. I definitely wasn’t embarrassed to be going to a restaurant alone, I would never judge someone for being there alone so I don’t expect to be judged by anyone else. But the reason I’d be uncomfortable is that I like to be present during a restaurant visit, which would be hard to do whilst steaming a show out of boredom. The waitress did pour both glasses of water when I sat down, probably out of instinct more than anything, but that was the only point I that any assumptions were made about me being on my own as I didn’t pre-book the table. So I just sucked it up and sat with myself, looked out the window at the marina and enjoyed my coffee. I went on my phone a few times but when the food came I was focused on that, which was a delicious pea fritter/poached egg situation for enquiring minds!

Before I knew it I was paying the bill and heading over to Cineworld for a bit of the ol’ batman! I treated myself to sweets and an Ice blast knowing I’d have both the armrests to myself which was a delight. When I got into the cinema I sat on my phone until the trailers started running and after that, it was exactly like any other cinema experience I’ve ever had! I missed having someone to break down the movie with after leaving, but for me, that was the only downside.

On my way home I felt so productive as I used my time to do something fulfilling instead of binging Bridgerton in a 3-hour bath (I’ll probably get round to that this week anyway!). It was such a good feeling that I usually get when I do a bit of self-care, it felt like self-care outside of the home and I’ll definitely be engaging in it again. My BF is off on a stag do in a couple of weeks and instead of planning to go away myself or worrying about being bored the whole time I’m going to take myself on another date!

Yee-haw, Western style influences are rolling in thick and fast to the fashion world and are set to be one of spring/summer’s hottest trends, as we say goodbye to rainy days and hello to desert inspired ‘fits that would look perfectly at home at Coachella or y’know, brunch with the girls.

Although cowboy hats and tasselled everything might seem somewhat unwearable day to day, taking small pockets of inspiration from Western style fashion in the form of boho dresses, subtle flared jeans and heeled ankle boots is all you need to nod to trend without feeling like an extra from Brokeback Mountain. Think cow print, mid-calf boots and double denim and you’ll be well on your way to nailing a look Kacey Musgraves herself would be jealous of- forever an accurate measure of a great outfit.

Urban Outfitters, Free People and Warehouse- who currently have an entire rodeo inspired collection- are the key names to remember here, all offering pieces that offer a slice of carefree, playfulness that perfectly fits our moods as the warm weather approache. Catch ya at the ranch!

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Hello Spring, oh so good to see you! After a long and treacherous winter, the Spring Equinox of 2022 took place last week on the 20th March and thus new life, new beginnings and a new wardrobe are calling our name! If there’s one thing that can be relied on along with daffodils, Mini Eggs, lighter evenings and a classic Spring clean to add a pep into our step this season, it’s an easy-breezy new item of clothing that makes mornings of ‘what to wear’ a thing of the past. The simple but mighty, humble but quite honestly chef’s kiss addition in question? A linen-blend shirt.

It may seem basic, but let us not overlook the importance of your wardrobe fundamentals, the pieces you may not have realised you needed but now can’t imagine life without. Dopamine dressing and finding joy in a colourful ‘fit is this season’s MO, as we continue to seek joy in abundance after a draining 2 years, and shirts of every colour way and print are making their way into high street windows and the ASOS ‘new in’ page daily.

Today Team Zoella are styling an anticipated sellout H&M linen shirt, coming in at under £20 and available in 5 colourways, grab yourself a slice of this season’s easiest and comfiest trend, looking perfectly in place at brunch, as a casual beach coverup or layered for some extra warmth whilst we wait for the annual one week of heatwave weather- welcome to England!

Darcey’s Picks

Lareese’s Picks

Danielle’s Picks

Charlotte’s Picks

All products on this page have been selected by the team however we do make a commission on some links

The hashtag manifestation has 14.8B views on TikTok whilst the self-help book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne published in 2006 sold more than 30 million copies. The root of manifestation goes back to the law of attraction – one of the pillars of the New Thought movement of the 19^th century – and the idea that like attracts like and thus, positive thoughts cultivate positive results through the power of the mind and its ability to materialise thoughts into reality. 

Whether you believe it or not, it’s a concept that’s going nowhere, with everyone from Oprah to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande being big advocates for using the law of attraction to attract the life you want. 

We spoke to Roxie Nafousi, self-development coach, author and Queen of Manifesting (she’s literally just written a book about it), to find out all about the power of manifestation and how to attract all the posi vibes into our lives. 

From myths to mindset and the practical steps and tools you can use to go after your goals, here’s a how-to in manifesting the life you truly desire.

Manifesting has become something of a buzzword in the last two years (we have the ‘shut up, I’m manifesting’ meme to thank for that) but what exactly does manifestation mean and how does it work? 

Manifesting is the ability to use the power of your mind to change and create the reality you experience. It can feel like this magical and wonderful experience when you manifest things you want into your life, but it is actually something that is very real. It is backed by science, too; both quantum physics and neuroscience have really helped us to understand how and why it works. Ultimately, though, manifesting is a self-development practice. For me, manifesting is the umbrella, and all self-development sits under it.

What about what manifestation isn’t… 

I also think that people think manifesting is *just* about manifesting things into your life; money, jobs, relationships. But actually, the greatest gift of manifesting is that it allows us to become the highest and most empowered version of ourselves that exists. 

What are the practical ways to practise manifestation and harness its power in your everyday life? How do you actually *manifest*?

We manifest from our subconscious beliefs about what we deserve, and the universe responds to everything we do and say, as it is all a reflection of our self-worth. The best way we can practice manifestation in a practical sense, every day, is to start cultivating self-love through the decisions we make moment to moment. Our decisions and choices should always be saying, “I believe I am worthy”. That means that what you eat, drink, what habits you commit to, what work you complete, what challenges you overcome, who you spend time with, that all impacts how powerfully you are manifesting.

What are the key pillars of manifestation, and do you have any tips for beginners?

Self-Love is the driving force behind manifesting because we cannot manifest what we don’t believe we are worthy of receiving. But manifesting is such a full practice with many layers to it, something that I think people don’t always understand when it comes to manifestation. That is why I split my book into 7 clear steps so people could really grasp the practice of it. I know this is probably really annoying of me to say, but I would say my best tip for a beginner is to read my book MANIFEST, it’s a super easy read but it really does explain everything you need to know. 

How often do you need to practice? Is there an ideal routine or formula for success, if so, what does that look like?

Well, to be honest, what I am always trying to teach people about manifesting is that it’s not a ritual. It’s not a practice you do 20 minutes a day. It’s a way of living and being. Once you really begin to understand how incredible manifestation really is, you realise it’s something you live and breathe, not something you do.

What are the biggest things holding us back from manifesting and achieving our goals?

Women often struggle to ask for what we want, whether it be in the workplace or in relationships. How do we get comfortable asking the Universe for what we want? What limiting beliefs do we need to let go of?

I think one of the best ways to start asking the universe for what we want is to make a vision board. It’s private, just for us, so that can make it feel easier to do. One thing I would say is that when doing a vision board, be really conscious of when you’re restricting yourself from asking for the things you want. Force yourself to dream bigger. The main limiting belief to let go of is that we aren’t worthy or deserving of abundance, love and happiness. But we ALL deserve to live our best lives. You do, I do and all the women around you do too. Start repeating this mantra every day, “I am worthy of all the success, love and happiness that the universe has to offer”. And when good things happen, allow yourself to indulge in a feeling of gratitude for it, and say to yourself, “yes, I deserve this”. Because you really do.

How can you attract abundance in your life?

By manifesting and adopting an abundance mindset – that is, a mindset that there is more than enough to go around for everyone. I actually made this little Instagram post that helps with some tips for an abundance mindset.

How important is mindset when it comes to manifesting? 

It’s everything! But the great thing about that is we all have something called neuroplasticity (our brain’s ability to form new neural pathways), meaning we can literally retrain our minds and adopt a new mindset through repeated action, which means we all have the power to change our mindset and change our lives. 

How do you go from manifesting (thought) to making it happen (action)?

This is Step 3: Align Your Behaviour. This is where you have to be proactive in going for the things you want, step outside your comfort zone, take risks, and literally embody the person you want to become. Only once you begin to do these things can you make it happen.

Can you really manifest anything? 

 Yes, you can literally manifest anything into your life!  

How important is gratitude, positivity, and patience when it comes to manifestation? It’s not an overnight fix is it? You have to be proactive and be prepared to do the work!

What happens if the thing you’ve been manifesting doesn’t come to fruition? What’s your advice for handling that energy when things go wrong?

 If something isn’t coming to fruition, it’s likely that you’re still holding fear and doubt around it. I always tell people to go back to that inner healing to remove those blocks. But when things do go wrong, which they will from time to time, it’s about staying strong in those moments, and knowing that there is something greater on the other side. I talk about this a lot in Step 4, Overcome Tests from the Universe!

We’re not into negative vibes round these parts ha, but for any naysayers who might question the power of manifestation, what would you tell them?

 I think it’s not my job to force anything onto anyone. All we can do is lead by example. If people don’t believe in manifesting, it won’t work for them, so they have to come to it in their own time.

What does manifestation mean to YOU in your life?

 It IS my life.

What’s something you’ve successfully manifested into being?

Literally everything, my baook, my career, my house, my baby. There is nothing in my life I don’t thank manifesting for!

We love your book, Manifest! What’s your biggest inspiration for writing it?

Aw thank you! I had been teaching people my 7 steps to manifesting through webinars and it was working. The feedback was amazing, and people were manifesting the most incredible things. I knew the 7 steps really did work and so I wanted to teach it to as many people as possible, so I had to write a book! I put it on my vision board and manifesting the book deal and it’s been so amazing to see so many people reading it! 

Is the orange cover an intentional choice? It’s the colour often associated with energy, success and positivity after all!

Absolutely. In fact, my publishers originally said NO to the orange cover I presented to them, but I didn’t give up until they changed their mind. I was set on the orange! I wanted it to be a standout book that could also be a cool coffee table book after you’d finished reading it!

How much did you draw on your career as a self-development coach when writing Manifest?

A lot! I use a lot of my 1-1 client examples in the book because I really wanted people to see that this is a practice for everyone, and I wanted people to be able to relate to other people’s experiences.

We love listening to your podcast, The Moments That Made Me. What manifestation moments made you into the woman you are today?

Thank you so much! I think it would be May 2018, when I was at rock bottom, someone told me to listen to a podcast on manifesting. From that moment, in the most rapid and extraordinary way, every single thing in my life totally transformed. 

A quote or affirmation you live by…

‘your self-belief is your superpower’.. and also ‘it’s nice to be nice’

Any parting words of wisdom to throw out there in the Zoellaverse?

You can be and do anything you want, you have unlimited potential just waiting to be unlocked by your self-belief. The only limit is the limit of your mind.

Roxie Nafousi

Ready to start manifesting the hell out of your life? You can buy Roxie’s book Manifest here. Whether you want to attract your soulmate, land the perfect job, buy the home you have always wanted or simply find inner peace and confidence, this wholesome guide will teach you exactly how to get there in seven practical (and empowering) steps. 

Heartwarming and heartbreaking. Uplifting and destructive. Pure love and pure frustration. Being a parent is perhaps one of life’s biggest challenges. From birth to their university graduation, there isn’t a day that goes by when you aren’t learning something new about them, yourself and what it means to love unconditionally. But despite the highs that come from walking the path of motherhood, there are without a doubt unpredictable bumps in the road too that may see you doubting it all.

If there’s one common thread in the world of parenthood though, it’s that so many of these experiences- be it the 3am wobbles or first day of school scaries- are truly universal. But don’t just take our word for it. We spoke to 50 women about their experiences of being a mama (read: actual superhero) and the biggest lessons they discovered along the way, and you might just find yourself nodding along to every single one…

• Learn to accept the bad days and not to dwell on them. Every mum has them.
• You will have to say goodbye to your former self for a while.
• It’s the loneliest job in the world (sometimes).
• It’s so important to admit to errors when talking to your child.
• Make every moment count- my son died last year and I’m sitting now with my living daughter in my arms.
• There’s no room for spontaneity anymore. 
• It might not come as naturally as you imagined, and that’s okay. Seek help, learn as you go.
• Lower your expectations.
• The decisions you feel best about are made with your instincts. No one knows your baby like you.
• Everyone is just doing their best.

• You won’t necessarily be the mother you imagined, and that’s okay.
• Everything isn’t going to be perfect, no matter how many books you read.
• You will never again be the centre of your whole universe.
• Stop romanticising motherhood. I’m not perfect and my baby isn’t either.
• All cliches are true.
• You don’t lose yourself, you blossom into someone else- a mother.
• Appreciate the people who show up for you.
• You will probably feel like you’re getting ill every single day as your standard.
• Babies aren’t robots and neither are mamas- go with your instinct and try to relax.
• They teach you far more than you will ever teach them.

• There’s no such thing as a perfect mother, trying to be one is no good for anyone.
• Always follow your instinct and ignore the noise.
• You will grow more than you ever imagined possible. Enjoy it.
• No one tells you how hard it is on the dads. 
• There’s so much to love in all the small, intimate moments.
• Asking for help is never a sign of failure. It really does take a village.
• Your emotional and physical wellbeing is one of the most important factors in how you parent, how you engage, how you react to difficulties and how present you are in motherhood. It is exhausting, all consuming, beautiful and chaotic and it’s so important to fill your self-care cup up too. Also peace over perfection, always!
• It’s not a choice between taking care of only your child or only yourself- you deserve care too. 
• Take things an hour at a time.
• A mother’s strength is beyond this world. 

• Don’t forget to adjust the patience scale for your partner, family and baby.
• That for so many, the journey to becoming a mother is so difficult.
• My baby is due soon and I’ve already learnt to do what’s best for me and feels right.
• Breastfeeding is great but the feeling of your body not being your own any more can be tough and so hard to explain until you’re in that situation.
• That a bit of a messy house isn’t a bad thing.
• Time goes past too quickly to worry about the small things. Play with them and be in the moment as much as possible!
• It’s okay not to know everything.
• Some friendships won’t survive the journey into motherhood.
• I have to let go of the things I can’t control.
• I am not as patient as I thought, and mum guilt sucks.

• There’s no love like it.
• Babies do things at their own speed, don’t worry if yours isn’t at the same stage as others.
• Take it one step at a time and accept that everyone makes ‘mistakes’.
• Everything is a phase.
• Give them space.
• Praise is much more effective than punishment. 
• There’s no place for perfectionism in parenting.
• The ability to be flexible is a super power!
• True love finally makes sense. 
• Women are *the* sh*t. Period.

In need of some feel-good in your life? Turns out you need not to look much further than your wardrobe. Introducing: Dopamine Dressing. One of the biggest trends to emerge from the pandemic when good vibes were seriously lacklustre, dopamine dressing is all about injecting joy into your wardrobe in the form of bold colours, out-there prints and clashing items to create an outfit that screams smiley face emojis all day long. With a particular emphasis on Bottega green, candy floss pink and lavender lilac, there’s no way you’ll be lost in a crowd when partaking in this trend!

For some context, Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter created in the brain, and in its simplest form is associated with all things feel-good. Tanya J. Peterson, NCC, DAIS, mental health educator says “It’s part of our reward center, and when our brain produces dopamine in response to what we do, we feel good and want to do more of whatever it is that’s making us feel so mentally healthy. That, in turn, leads to even more dopamine production.” Sign us up!

Keep scrolling for the ultimate colourful, bold and beautiful pieces available on the high-street right now, and get ready to smile!

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

A populated, colourful, busy bookshelf- pure joy! Saving you in moments of panic, keeping  you floating on a high in times of euphoria and providing the perfect escapism when life is too much, the past couple of years have seen a resurgence in public declarations of love for the simple pleasures of a good book and all it can offer no matter the emotions you find yourself experiencing on any particular day. Be it recommended by a friend, passed on by a sibling or frantically bought at the airport 10 minutes before boarding a flight, each book we read not only tells the story between its pages, but also the story of our lives at the point of reading- the relatability of a chapter seeing us in tears or finally feeling understood by characters we wish we could meet IRL.

Today on Zoella, we’re exploring the books to add to your TBR pile if you’re feeling overwhelmed by emotion, be it positive or negative, and the go-tos you can turn to when feeling your feels is hard- be it love, loneliness, heartbreak or anxiety, we’ve got you…

Books For When You’re Feeling Anxious

Books For When You’re In Love

Books For When You’re In Need Of a Good Cry

Books For When You Need Pure Escapism

“My partner refuses to get the snip even though we know we’re one and done…”

In this month’s Between You and Me, we’re chatting baby name anxiety/theft (the fear is real), being the ‘non-invited’ wedding guest (always awkward), facing favouritism accusations at work and vasectomy disagreements…

Now you can have your say, too! Don’t miss our BYAM polls over on Instagram.

Lareese’s Advice

Baby name anxiety SUCKS. I feel that to my core as someone who is trying to conceive and has been for a wee while. Ultimately, I’ve made my peace with the fact that it doesn’t really matter if someone else takes the name you like, if you love it you should still use it regardless! It’s hard to find a name that you wholeheartedly love and it’s fine to feel protective of that. I would chat to your pal and just say look just so you know, this doesn’t have to be a big deal but that baby name you said you liked is actually top of my list (great minds think alike and all that) and I’d rather you knew now than run the risk of causing any awkwardness or drama later down the line. And hey, trends change – the names I liked when I was in my 20s are not the same names I’d choose now, so find some comfort in the fact that you or your friend might change your minds when your lovely babies have arrived and you can see what name suits them.

Maddie’s Advice

I totally get it, when you’re pregnant or trying, baby names become a fixation. Without trying you become on high alert for any whispers of someone liking your top pick. As hard as it is to do, remember that things change, tastes change and a name you love now may get the sharp veto when the time comes. That being said if you both end up naming your child the same thing, i also think that’s absolutely fine. If you love it, don’t let that stand in your way. I think if it’s not a family member, it’s fair game. Just have a conversation about it first.

Danielle’s Advice

As with most Qs about weddings, I usually side with the Bride and Groom as people are SO quick to forget that it’s THEIR day. Their one special day where everything is about them and the love they have for each other. So regardless of whether they have kids or not they can decide if they want kids there, maybe they only want theirs there? They also don’t need to have their wedding be all or none when it comes to children, maybe some close family and friends are able to bring there’s but others are not. Kids can be a huge extra cost and honestly quite loud and annoying ha, they also probably won’t even remember it in most cases. A lot of parents are also grateful for the night off from watching little ones. Either way, everyone should just respect the wishes of the Bride and Groom it’s a free party after all!

Darcey’s Advice

I can definitely see both sides for this one! If the bride and groom don’t have kids, I see how naturally they would probably be less inclined to have other people’s kids at their wedding, as the responsibility of them stops the parents maybe having as much fun. However I do really feel like kids can bring a lot to weddings, I really cherish the weddings I went to as a child and also have really enjoyed the excitement kids feel on wedding days as an adult. I suppose if you don’t have children in your close family, having your mate’s kids probably isn’t as sentimental, but maybe to consider close family? A few weddings I’ve attended the kids have had to leave at 8-9pm, they usually went home with the grandparents etc who were happy to leave at that time too and then everyone else stayed to let loose a bit more. At the end of the day, it’s 100% the bride and groom’s decision and I think anyone going to the wedding would respect that.

Charlotte’s Advice

This is tricky! It’s lovely having friends in the office and it seems a shame if you now feel like you need to be careful of showing your closeness, but if you’re confident it’s genuinely not impacted your work or opportunities in a professional capacity then I’d say carry on as you are! Really the responsibility should fall to your friend/manager as the one in the position of authority here, so you could ask them to perhaps hold back a little when it comes to being overly familiar and ‘BFF vibes’ at work and keep the in-jokes and hugs to post 5pm, and really that’s all there is to it!

When it comes to social media, maybe only share any out-of-office hangouts to your ‘close friends’ Stories until things blow over, but as I said the responsibility really falls to your manager to show there isn’t any favouritism happening and everyone is being presented with equal opportunities. Close friendships with those at work means boundaries inevitably become blurry, so do keep that in mind too, especially when that person is your superior!

Darcey’s Advice

This sounds super annoying to me, so I get the frustration! Being accused your manager is favouring you over others just because you are close seems a bit childish if I’m honest. I mean of course, if you were working a sales job for example and they gave you all the best clients, then I’d say that was crossing a line in your workplace relationship, but if nothing like that is happening and you are just genuinely good friends but know where the line is drawn professionally, I see no issue. I think because of blurred lines happening sometimes in workplace friendships, people can sometimes feel threatened by that, but I think as long as you continue on just being good pals but also getting the work done, people will soon realise it’s not impacting them in anyway.

Charlotte’s Advice

Ahh, the age-old dilemma and intricacies that come with living with a friend or partner- it’s complicated! If you’re enjoying your time living with your bestie then don’t cut it short for a boy- if he’s the one he’ll still be there 12 months down the line and if your current dynamic is working then maybe now isn’t the time to shake it up. There’s typically such a small window in our lives in which we can live with friends before it’s the norm to be in a serious relationship and move in with S/O, so I would lap it up and enjoy this time that you’ll no doubt look back on in your 40s and 50s and be so glad of. Maybe warn your friend that once your next renewal is up you’re thinking about a change in your next chapter, but if I were you I’d lean into wine Wednesdays with a rom-com, gossiping about the night before in each other’s beds on a Sunday morning and borrowing each other’s clothes for last-minute plans galore!

Danielle’s Advice

I think when you get to that point with your other half you want to move in with them ASAP! It feels like a nice next step and is a really key progression for your relationship. Your friend may already have a feeling you’d like to move in with him so don’t worry too much about having ‘the conversation’ if she’s your best friend she’s obviously going to understand where you’re coming from, as long as you give her ample time to make other arrangements there’s no reason she should be annoyed or upset with you. People grow and change and move, it’s all a part of life, can’t live with your bestie forever. Make plans to head to the same retirement home so you can be roomies again when you’re old and playing bingo (that’s what my friends I have decided ha!).

Maddie’s Advice

I think it’s incredibly unfair how the responsibility of contraception is often weighted towards women. If both parties don’t want to have children and have made the final decision on that life choice then why should it automatically fall on the woman in the relationship to ensure they don’t fall pregnant? If a man isn’t prepared to wear a condom for the rest of his sex life then why should we take a pill every day, alter our hormones or have coils inserted for them? I certainly think it’s a conversation worth having than something that’s immediately written off.

Charlotte’s Advice

I totally get the frustration that as women it’s somewhat expected we’ll ‘take one for the team’ when it comes to contraception and the pill, but I also think no matter the speed or simplicity of a vasectomy, ultimately it’s your partner’s body and they can’t be forced into a surgery they don’t feel comfortable with. It seems like a simple solution when you know you don’t want more children, but perhaps for him there are underlying anxieties about having a medical procedure that run deeper and he doesn’t feel able to communicate right now?

It’s estimated that 2% of men who choose sterilisation will experience long-term genital pain, and whilst unlikely, I do understand that for some men that’s considered too great a risk. Continue the conversations as I feel this frustration will only continue to manifest unless you can get to the root of the ‘why’, but I’d say try not to be too hard on him about something which ultimately does concern his body.

Gratitude is great. Focusing on the good, no matter how big or small- what’s not to love? But sometimes things aren’t all rainbows and sunshine and recognising that without feeling the need to look at your life with rose-tinted glasses can be a relief in a world in which it feels like you’re putting out *bad vibes* if you’re anything other than a member of the positivity posse. For those of us who can’t help but feel a little glass half empty at times (spoiler: all of us), let us introduce: ingratitude journaling.  

It’s okay to feel sad, stressed, at the end of your tether, angry, betrayed and any other emotion deemed ‘negative’, because sometimes life gives us no other choice, and this is what ingratitude journalling is all about- letting out the emotions you’ve squashed because they feel uncomfortable or easier to repress and giving them permission to take up space, just for a little bit.

The past few years have been especially heavy, and not acknowledging the hard times along with the good can in fact be detrimental to our nervous system and health- what we don’t feel or acknowledge consciously is likely to show up in our bodies elsewhere at some point, be it tension headaches, upset stomachs or twinges in our back when something goes wrong. Living an experience that isn’t authentic for the sake of ‘staying positive’ is the epitome of toxic positivity, and we’re waving goodbye to it in 2022.

You let it out honey, put it in the book.

Gretchen Weiner

Truth be told, although there are certainly feelings we’d rather not feel, there’s actually no such thing as a bad feeling. Emotions exist as a way for our minds and bodies to communicate something as feeling right or wrong within us, guiding us in a direction that brings us peace or warning us of the things that don’t align with our values. They may be uncomfortable, but there’s always something valuable to be gained from reflecting on why something makes us feel a certain way, and ingratitude journaling is a great way to hone in on this aspect of self-discovery and uncover what makes you tick. Understanding what triggers anxiety, feelings of shame and discomfort can be a superpower in helping you manage your mental health more effectively and set you on a path for healing when you know the true root of an emotion. The journey to knowing yourself is a lifelong one, but digging deeper into the feelings we might immediately want to get rid of will accelerate your journey tenfold. 

“Writing things you’re ungrateful for won’t make them go away, but it will help give you direction.” says Chance Marshall of Self Space, the on-demand therapy service: “It will help you identify patterns, themes and things that are repeated. It will help you focus on the things you can change. It will move you from awareness into action.” 

Here’s why awareness might just be the step you’re missing in your mental health development…

Imagine you’re dating someone new, it’s going well but they’re suddenly going through a busy patch at work and say they’ll be on their phone less in the day. Rationally, you know this is no reflection of your closeness and their feelings for you, but you still find yourself feeling a little rejected after being left on ‘read’ for a few hours and your mind starts running away with you. Instead of pushing down, squashing the feeling completely and arranging last-minute drinks with the girls to take your mind off it, what would happen if you sat with those feelings? If you paused for a moment and looked a little deeper at your past experiences and what this might feel reflective of? Maybe a previous ex whose communication was so lacklustre you might as well have been having a convo with yourself, or you realise it’s reminiscent of your relationship with your mum who you feel never quite acknowledges or hears your needs. If we ignore the emotions trying to signal to us that we’re seemingly in danger or being reminded of a previous situation that hurt us, we move closer away from healing and thus the process begins again. 

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.

Carl Yung

Interested? Let’s talk about the basics of ingratitude journaling…

1. Find a quiet spot to sit where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Grab a journal or piece of paper and a pen. Top tip: hand writing is preferable to typing as our thoughts are naturally slowed along with the pace of pen to paper, making it easier to process our feelings and allowing us to dig deeper.
3. Start listing the things that have gone wrong, left you feeling disappointed, cheated, hard done by or tearful. The job you didn’t get that you know you would have been perfect for, the ex who cheated with the girl you *knew* was sus all along, the nagging flat mate whose cleaning standards you can never seem to live up to, or the argument you had with your sister over who was responsible for the Mother’s Day card that was never purchased. Let it spill out onto the page in all its messy glory, unapologetically.
4. Read back your list and divide it into two columns:  things you can control and things you can’t. 
5. Reflect and think about some small and tangible changes you can make to the things that are within your control, maybe having an honest conversation with a friend about something that’s irked you, and practice acceptance and kindness towards the things that are fractious, knowing it’s okay to feel whatever has come up. 

Happy complaining!