First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?

My 2021 has been great.. but seriously how is it September already?! I’ve just got back from holiday and am feeling refreshed, energised and ready to conquer the rest of 2021! Lots of exciting stuff is happening at Fairy Job Mother at the moment!  I’ve spent most of the year working on and perfecting our first-ever physical product, which is launching at the end of the month – stay tuned on my Instagram! I also recently decided to combine my background in marketing with my expertise in the early careers space to launch a marketing and employer branding agency side of Fairy Job Mother called FJM Digital to help employers and brands attract and retain young people. 

How did you decide to start sharing your expert career advice online?

I started Fairy Job Mother over my frustration at the lack of relevant career guidance and resources available for students and young people during and after university. At university, I found the advice given to me as a generic, ‘one size fitted all’ approach that didn’t come from people in my industry or that had been in my position. Leaving university, I didn’t have much idea of how the working world worked, and starting my first job after graduating was also just as confusing. I didn’t know how to negotiate a salary or even go about positioning myself for a promotion.

To fill this gap, I wanted to build a platform to empower young professionals with the skills and mindset to navigate the world of work, find their dream job, build their confidence and ultimately progress in their careers.

Fast-forwarding to now, I have 6+ years of corporate experience, working for both Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit and start-up organisations and currently work full-time in a leadership position at a tech company, despite only graduating in 2017.

How has your journey progressed through The Fairy Job Mother?

I only started Fairy Job Mother in October 2020 and it’s been a crazy eleven months! Originally I started sharing content on Instagram and since then have built a community of over 7000+ young professionals across multiple social channels and my content is viewed by 50,000+ people monthly.

Due to demand at the beginning of the year I introduced 1:1 coaching sessions providing expert advice on CV building, preparing for job interviews, cover letter writing and general career coaching, where I’ve helped 200+ young people gain interviews and job offers at the likes of Google, Amazon, The Hut Group, RB, Johnson & Johnson, American Express and BT.

I’ve also been invited as a guest on multiple podcasts to share my knowledge on topics such as salary negotiation and figuring out what you want to do after university, invited as a guest speaker at several universities and worked with some really cool brands like Bright Network and RateMyPlacement and had the opportunity to provide career services for government-funded initiatives for those on universal credit which has been extremely rewarding.

Why do you think it’s so important to share career advice?

I think career advice is important because your choices regarding your career can have a huge impact on your life and future. Young people are expected to make decisions about their future pretty quickly after finishing school/university. Depending on their background, they’re either set up for success with great advice from role models and their school or at a disadvantage if they come from a background without parents/role models who went to university or had corporate careers.

I share career advice on social media so that everyone, regardless of background, can be educated and equipped with the skills and mindset to progress in their career.

To add, when finishing university I didn’t even consider small things like salary negotiation, can have a huge impact.  I read a figure the other day that said accepting the first offer you are given for a job can leave you with anywhere between £1 million to £1.5million of lost earnings over your lifetime. I think that figure in itself shows how important sharing accessible career advice is!

Do you think there is enough education at school or University in regards to the job market?

The simple answer is, no, I don’t. The job market is constantly evolving and has evolved and changed so much due to COVID. I honestly don’t think universities and schools can keep up! Students have always been sold this notion that if they get good grades and go to university, then they’ll get a good job at the end of it.. which just isn’t’ true! There are more graduates than there are jobs, and universities need to do a better job at increasing students employability whilst they are studying, encouraging them to do things that make them stand out and showcase the value they can bring to employers. And whilst universities aren’t doing it Fairy Job Mother will !

I also think there isn’t enough education on building a fulfilling career in general. We aren’t taught about choosing a job that actually makes us happy! We are just taught that we need to find a job! We aren’t taught about burnout or toxic work culture. We aren’t taught that grades aren’t the end-all of and that work ethic and mindset are what matters! Education on simple things like these will enable young people to have happier and more fulfilling careers.

What are your top tips for understanding what kind of job role people should be going for?

Be kind to yourself! Trust me; no one really knows what they’re doing anyway. There is a huge pressure in society around figuring out what you want to do and picking one career and sticking to it forever (which is completely outdated by the way, you can change your career as many times as you like!). When figuring out your career path, remember to be kind to yourself. You have time to figure things out and throughout your career, as you grow and learn, you’ll always be exploring and experimenting with different areas, and that’s OK!

Note down what makes you happy (and what doesn’t!) What are you actually interested in? What makes you smile? What are your hobbies and favourite brands? Write a list of your top 5 brands and sectors and start researching different roles within these. You know these are brands and industries that you’re actually passionate about, so you’ll feel motivated and confident exploring them!

Start reaching out to people in via LinkedIn! Once you’ve researched the role types within your chosen industry or brands, start reaching out to actual people in these roles to figure out if they’re really for you! LinkedIn is an amazing tool for doing this as you can search absolutely anyone at any company and message them! Remember to personalise each message, try to find some common ground and position the message in a way that shows you’d love to learn from them by jumping on a Zoom call – so that you can directly ask questions and build a relationship with someone in your chosen industry! I shared a video on my Instagram about reaching out to people on LinkedIn, which can be found here.

Try out as many different things as you can if you aren’t sure! Once you’ve learned about each role type, shortlist your top 3 and start applying, internships are great for learning about a particular industry, and they are short term, meaning you can explore each of your target industries in a short period of time to determine which your enjoyed and which you didn’t! I have a video that touches a bit more on finding local internship opportunities here!!

I recently recorded podcast all about figuring out the right career path/job role for you which and would definitely recommend checking it out!

What are some of your most popular posts online?

My most popular posts are related to job searching (for those on the job hunt) and career progression (for those looking to progress in their current roles)!

Here’s a few of my most popular..

How to stand out at a job interview  

Red flags to look out for during the interview process

4 things to check before submitting a job application

Top 3 CV mistakes I see all the time

Here’s why you aren’t getting promoted!

3 things your manager SHOULD be doing for you!

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the launch plan for Fairy Job Mother’s first-ever physical product, which is launching at the end of the month! The product is all about setting goals and figuring out what makes you happy from a career perspective and is honestly something I wish I had when I was starting out – keep an eye out on my Instagram page in the coming weeks for more info!

The other very exciting thing I’m working on, which I briefly touched upon above, is FJM Digital, the marketing and employer branding side of Fairy Job Mother, to help brands and employers attract and retain young people. I’m really excited to combine my unique experience and expertise in marketing and attracting young talent in this venture and am excited to help employers and brands thrive using the same techniques I’ve used to build my own business from Fairy Job Mother! If you are a brand or employer that is looking to attract young people reach out!

Do you have any top follows for finding a new career on Instagram?

Some of my favourite follows are:

@prettylittlemarketer – if you are interested in exploring the world of marketing, Sophie is your girl! After leaving her full-time job and starting university at 21 to pursue a degree in Marketing, Sophie has spent the past four years creating her own experience working for agencies, volunteering and working as a freelance social media manager.  She shares her top tips and tricks over on her Instagram!

@gradvance – If you are a graduate that’s just finished university and feeling unsure of how to navigate the job searching world, then Dan is your guy (in addition to Fairy Job Mother of course !) After struggling with the graduate job search post Dan developed a winning formula which saw him land job offers from Amazon, Vodafone, Sky and Virgin Media.

@beyondeducation_ Beyond Education is a social enterprise that aims to bridge the informational gap between educational institutions and the working world! Their platform connects students to a network of prestigious employers, mentors and career coaches that can provide career advice and employment opportunities to those who need it!

What does your perfect weekend look like?

The perfect weekend for me would be being outdoors in the open exploring, walking or hiking somewhere new, followed by a relaxing swim, chill in the hot tub and a massage! Dreaming of a winter getaway as we speak!

What do you always carry with you?

Apart from my phone, I always carry a good non-fiction book in my bag! My current read at the moment is organisational psychologists Adam Grant’s ‘Think Again’ which is all about the art of rethinking and learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds.. 100% recommend it!

What would your last ever meal be?

Definitely Spaghetti Pomodoro! So simple, yet so delicious 

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

My piece of advice is on rejection as it’s something everybody is bound to face at least once in their career! Rejection is redirection and is completely normal. KEEP GOING. You will find something, you will get to where you are meant to be! Here is a video I created to normalise rejection that those reading may find useful!

Trigger warning: grief, race, addiction

They say don’t judge a book by its cover but in the case of Transcendent Kingdom judge away because the story it contains is even more captivating than its Instagramable pink and green jacket.

Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply raw, compassionate and intimate novel about a Ghanaian family in Alabama, ravaged by addiction, depression and grief. Yeah, possibly steer clear if you’re PMSing or on a fragile hangover because the tears will be on tap.

For anyone familiar with Gyasi’s award-winning debut Homegoing, this novel is the opposite in both scope and feel. With a laser-like focus on its characters, the author dissects grief with a deft touch, peeling back the layers of human suffering with unsentimental precision.

The narrator, Gifty, is a 28-year-old Ghanaian-American neuroscientist studying reward-seeking behaviour in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. If that went right over your head, fear not. This book belongs entirely to Gifty and her family story, as she looks to science for the answers she needs to make sense of the tragic loss of her brother Nana and her mother’s debilitating grief.

It is nothing short of a masterpiece and a work of whispered beauty and for that, Yaa Gyasi deserves to take the crown for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021. Best of luck!

Keep scrolling to find out what the team thought of this month’s pick…

But first… the blurb:

As a child Gifty would ask her parents to tell the story of their journey from Ghana to Alabama, seeking escape in myths of heroism and romance. When her father and brother succumb to the hard reality of immigrant life in the American South, their family of four becomes two – and the life Gifty dreamed of slips away.

Years later, desperate to understand the opioid addiction that destroyed her brother’s life, she turns to science for answers. But when her mother comes to stay, Gifty soon learns that the roots of their tangled traumas reach farther than she ever thought. Tracing her family’s story through continents and generations will take her deep into the dark heart of modern America.

Find the team’s reviews in the gallery below >

Purchase Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi through the Bookshop.org here and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021. All sales support independent bookshops across the UK. Select a bookshop from the map before browsing so your chosen bookseller will receive the direct benefit of the sale. Thank you for supporting independent bookshops!

The last 18 months have pushed us all to our limits in one way or another, whether it was working from home, dealing with redundancy, home-schooling our children, cancelling weddings or losing a loved one.

As we all scrambled for ways to connect during a time when we couldn’t physically be together, our screen-time hit an all-time high. If it wasn’t a virtual meeting it was a Zoom pub quiz, if it wasn’t a pub quiz it was an evening on the House Party app and if it wasn’t House Party it was completing Netflix, mindlessly scrolling Instagram, distracting ourselves with Tik Toks and pretending we lived on a little Animal Crossing island, far far away from planet earth.

And who can blame us for going ham on escapism? In the era of social distancing and quarantining, the digital world was a lifeline for many during a time of unprecedented isolation.

However, the pressure to be productive with our lockdown days was rampant as timelines and social feeds were flooded with aesthetic homes and LICK paint projects, baby announcements, new hobbies, baking skills and home workouts. Someone somewhere was making a banana bread, a baby, a book or a business.

With many people heading back to the office for the first time since March 2020, or still juggling working from home with family life, now seems like a good time to take control of your screen time.

“Detoxing” From Our Digital Devices – The Conscious Cleanse

Digital Detox Day means different things to different people. You don’t have to go cold turkey and hand in your digital devices Nine Perfect Strangers style if that’s not practical for you. Simple measures such as introducing a technology curfew could be all it takes to establish some boundaries with your devices and learn to live with them in a way that’s healthy rather than harmful.

The benefits of stepping away from your smartphones, TVs, tablets and laptops, even temporarily, are pretty extensive, from reducing stress and anxiety to boosting productivity and improving sleep patterns.

Disconnecting from the online world can help focus on our offline social interactions without distraction. If you’re feeling stressed or bogged down by the constant connectivity or you’re feeling like your dependence on your devices has become excessive over the past 18 months, taking part in Digital Detox Day can be a fundamental way to destress and strike a balance between work and life.

If completely disconnecting from your devices isn’t going to work for you and your lifestyle due to work obligations, you can still take part in Digital Detox Day by setting limits on when these digital connections are allowed to intrude on your daily life. You might benefit from switching off push notifications, deleting certain apps for 24 hours, allocating specific times to catch up and respond to messages, sleeping with your phone in another room or designating phone-free dinners when you’re with your friends.

The key to getting the most out of a digital detox is making sure it’s practical and sustainable for you, that way you’ll also be more inclined to make going device-free a regular part of your self-care routine.

Ditch Comparison

Comparisonitus. We’ve all felt it. Constant connectivity can feed the FOMO beast, leaving you feeling like your life is less exciting or fulfilling than a stranger’s, a friend’s or a celebrity’s on the internet. Whether it’s chasing likes and external validation or perceiving someone’s highlights reel as the pinnacle of life goals, taking a step back from social media can be a good way to gain some perspective and focus on what’s important in your life without comparing yourself to others.

Get A Better Night’s Sleep

The blue light that emits from our screens has been shown in many studies to disrupt our sleep. By logging off a few hours before bedtime, your mind and body will know it’s time to unwind, meaning you’ll get to enjoy a sound night’s kip free from that blue light brain noise.

Nurture Meaningful Connections

No one can argue with the convenience and efficiency of technology. On the one hand, it offers connection and communication at the touch of a button, but on the other it makes us inescapably accessible to anyone 24/7. If that sounds horrifying it’s because it is. We don’t know who needs to hear this but responding to an email at midnight is never necessary.

How many times has your phone interrupted an important conversation with a friend or caught your attention when you should be fully immersed in the present? When you remove the urge to check your phone or respond instantly to something then and there -Slack, WhatsApp, DMs, Instagram Story replies, the list goes on – you can really listen and give the people you love your undivided attention. The inbox can wait.

Re-Engage With Real Life

According to an Ofcom study, UK adults spend an average of 8 hours 41 minutes a day on screens (BBC) and check their smartphone every 12 minutes, figures that have no doubt grown exponentially in the wake of the pandemic. With this growing dependence on our devices, our screens are ruling our lives, hijacking our downtime and causing a disconnect with the reality around us.

Whatever your relationship with your devices, we can all benefit from putting some personal boundaries in place to protect our mental health. Prioritise that screen-free walk with a friend, sign up to yoga class in a light-filled studio, read a book without one hand tethered to your phone. Reconnect with the wonder that is: real life.
Break The Cycle

Unlocking your phone for no apparent reason is the new walking into a room and forgetting what you went in there for. Whether it’s disappearing down a social media rabbit hole or doom-scrolling for hours on end, mindlessly consuming information in this manner is a sure-fire way to feel drained before your day has even begun. With the average adult using social media for 2 hours a day and many of us stuck in the cycle of reaching for our phones as soon as we’ve opened our eyes, our minds are constantly overworked and overwhelmed. Your mornings and evenings are sacred and doing a digital detox is one such way to ensure they stay that way. Use that time to check in with yourself before you check in with the rest of the world.

Our September Digital Detox Series

As we all step away from our devices for 24 hours on Saturday 4th September, we wanted to create a mini-series throughout the month here on Zoella.co.uk to inspire you with ways to flex your creative muscle, switch off for mental health and enjoy some quality downtime without distraction.

After we all thoroughly enjoyed unshackling ourselves from our smartphones for Digital Detox Day 2020, we wanted to channel that positive change into something long-term; something we can continue to practice and utilise on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whenever we feel overwhelmed with the constant connectivity and frazzled by that blue light beast.

The Digital Detox series will see us collaborating with some epic fellow creators, coaches and artists to shine a light on the activities, habits and hobbies we can discover when we’re not glued to our screens.

From sitting down for a self-love yoga and breathwork class to learning how to identify wild edibles with a professional forager and using our lunchtimes to put down our phones and pick up a paintbrush, the series will act like a month-long toolkit for the mind, continually prompting us to put our mental health first.

We hope the series inspires you to reclaim your downtime, commit to self-care and embrace the benefits of a digital detox, not just for one day of the year but every day.

Perfecto for your fruit salad and autumnal wardrobe (yes we’ve got pumpkin spice on the brain already), Mango is a high street dream for your back to office/uni/smart/casj needs, and this week the team are delving into their fave pieces for the month of September and beyond. And with 79% of their garments already containing sustainable properties (which will be 100% by 2022!), you can both feel and look good whilst choosing your new favourite cool-weather garms.

Mango is the fuss-free Spanish señorita of the high street, looking forever put together with their simple yet trendy (100+ mum points for using the word trendy in 2021) pieces helping you achieve that ‘just rolled out of bed but looking 10/10’ look effortlessly. Think straight leg jeans and a simple white shirt, perfectly oversized blazers and tailored trousers, as well as fun jumpsuits and accessories that add a certain je ne sais quoi to any look. Now that Topshop is no more, Mango might just be taking the lead in offering the perfect balance of timeless and fun under one roof.

Zoe

I could browse the Mango site all day there is so much I love on there! These were a few bits that I spotted that I’d love to add to my wardrobe. I particularly love the horoscope necklaces, they’re so pretty!

*Mango, Oversized hooded sweater, £59.99 | *Mango, Aries horoscope necklace, £17.99 | *Mango, Flowers knit sweater, £35.99 | *Mango, Printed modal dress, £35.99

Lareese

I’m a big fan of Mango! Their campaign imagery always makes me want to buy everything. I’ve had to rein it in on my ‘add to cart’ items, especially since they’re just starting to get into Autumncore. Who’d have thought I’d be adding CLOGS to my Weekly Wants but here we are!

*Mango, Oversize leather-effect trench coat, £99.99 | *Mango, Track outsole boots, £59.99 | *Mango, Studded leather clog, £49.99 | *Mango, Pleated suit trousers, £35.99 | *Mango, Chunky knit cardigan, £49.99 | *Mango, Stone seal ring, £12.99

Danielle

If you didn’t already know Mango has started to offer clothing up to a size 4XL, not the whole range but a good portion of it which is great to see. I decided to pick out a little “back to work outfit” as we start to re-enter the office and in-person meetings. I went with this super wearable bronze and black striped silk shirt, faux leather leggings and a black blazer. These three items can be mixed and matched with tons of other items to bring your wardrobe a formal vibe. I’ve paired all that with a smart handbag I can fit my laptop in, and some classic moccasins – always my autumn shoe of choice before boot season hits!

*Mango, Satin striped shirt, £35.99 | *Mango, Double-breasted blazer, £69.99 | *Mango, Faux leather leggings, £29.99 | *Mango, Geometric design basket bag, £59.99 | *Mango, Buckle leather moccasins, £59.99

Charlotte

We’re heading back to the office next week and I need a new wardrobe STAT. My clothes sizes have considerably increased during lockdown (anyone else relate?) so I need some new smart/casj items to see me through weird weather September and into the autumn season. Mango is great for pieces like this, especially bits like this denim jumpsuit which could easily be dressed up or down to take you from desk to disco as soon as 5pm hits. I’ve been after some leather look trousers for the longest time and these ones look like great quality and a lovely shape so they’re being added to basket ASAP. Finish with some cute tops and light knits and you’re good to go!

*Mango, Zip denim jumpsuit, £59.99 | *Mango, Printed knit sweater, £35.99 | *Mango, Textured printed blouse, £19.99 | *Mango, Leather-effect straight trousers, £35.99

Darcey

I actually don’t usually shop at Mango much, however, I feel this is going to change now they have a plus range! As a size 18 in bottoms, I find it so hard to get jeans which fit nicely, so I’m excited to try some of their jeans out! They go to a size 26 too which is fantastic and way more inclusive which I love. Anyone else itching to buy a new winter coat too? Cause same! Their classic trench and leather trench are so nice, definitely on my wish-list.

*Mango, Classic cotton trench coat, £79.99 | *Mango, Leather-effect jacket with belt, £79.99 | *Mango, Ribbed sweater with zip, £19.99 | *Mango, Wide leg high waist jeans, £35.99

Holly

I have a bit of an issue with stores that have whole new lines for plus size, I way prefer the women’s shop but they only go up to a 16 so have to shop in plus size. Why can’t they just make all garments size-inclusive? Anyway, given that I’m limited, I would choose these cute dung’s with a simple tee and some sandals for a nice ‘cocktails on the beach’ kind of day

*Mango, Denim buttons pichi, £29.99 | *Mango, Raffia braided sandals, £49.99 | *Mango, Contrast chest-pocket T-shirt, £15.99 | *Mango, Flap pebbled bag, £17.99 | *Mango, Hoop earrings, £29.99

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First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?

Going well for the most part! Coming off a weird year for everyone, just hoping things get brighter for everyone! But I can’t complain! 

Can you tell us about your career online and how it all began?

So my career online started after I had received my MBA at 21! I moved to NYC with the hopes of getting hired in fashion and it just wasn’t happening. I looked older on my resume because of my degrees at a young age and it was working against me. I was blogging as a creative outlet so I started doing it more seriously, then eventually took my MBA off my resume, added my blog & got my first job!!! A few years in, my blog was a full-time job of its own so I choose to keep blogging & growing my online career and leave my dream corporate job behind

We love your devotion to colour, can you tell us about your relationship with it?

My mom was an interior designer, who wore all Black but we had a lot of color in our home! So I was always wearing it as a kid. When I got older, I thought I had to wear Black to be chic and fit in. So I started trying to make myself blend in. Eventually, I realized color is tied to confidence, Sometimes you feel like you have to wear Black or basic things to blend in and not be seen. But everyone deserves to be seen if they want to, and color can help! Now I try to inspire others to be confident & colorful because I think the two are tied. 

Did you always want to work within fashion, was it something you pursued in school?

Yes & no! I always wanted to work in fashion but I didn’t go to school for it! I went for marketing mostly among other things! That is one reason I had trouble getting a job in the industry! But I think things worked out the way they were supposed to

Where are you from in the US and what led you to New York?

I grew up in Arizona! It was a nice place to grow up but not a lot of culture or color. I did my MBA in San Francisco, up in northern California & moved to New York after! I always pictured myself in NYC and tried to go to school there but didn’t get in. I grew up watching NYC based shows and plastering photos around my wall, knowing one day I would end up there but not quite sure how. When school in New York didn’t work out, I had to find another way to get there eventually and I did! Sometimes your first plan isn’t your real path but you’ll end up where you need to be

Can you tell us some of the best places to visit in New York for those seeking colour?

NYC is quite colorful but you have to look for it! There are pop-ups or installs like the “color factory” that provide immersive experiences painted in color. But you can also find a lot of color in the west village, Soho or walking around. Brooklyn has a ton of colorful murals waiting for you to shoot in front of, and you can find more nature-based color in places like Central Park !

What’s your best advice for someone wanting to add colour to their wardrobe?

Start with an accessory! Instead of buying a new brown purse, go for a pop of color! It will force some color in your wardrobe without committing to a full look! If buying something new isn’t an option, a colorful lip or makeup look is another great way to start!

What are you currently working on?

So many things I can’t talk about but mostly product-based collaborations that will come out next year! I just finished my first project back at Disneyland since it’s been closed and we’re launching a few things for creators here on @colormecourtney as well as a podcast! I’m focusing more on youtube & creating video content. And in my free time, I mentor Black creators because I want more of us to exist in the space!

What are some of your other favourite accounts to inspire you on Instagram?

@hippypotter
@blaireadiebee
@iamtabithabrown
@kelladactyl
@jackiecoxnyc
@marta_sierra
@gabifresh
@leonijoyce
@asenceofhubert 

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Oh, I like to get ahead on my to-do list so my work week is lighter! If the world is back to normal, a broadway show and a dinner out is always something I look forward to! I like spending time with my fiancé & my dog of course, and meeting “cuties” (my followers) in the wild is always really fun for me!

What do you always carry with you?

Lipstick, sunscreen, portable phone charger, hand sanitiser & a mask! Internally? Confidence, positivity & the desire to leave things better than I found them

What would your last ever meal be?

Probably lobster Mac & cheese!!! But I also love a good pretzel! 

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

Find your insecurity, that thing that makes you weird or different & use it as your superpower! I’ve done it with my hair, lips, & hips! I’ve built a brand around things I used to hate about myself and it was the best way to get over that fear, to turn the thing I used to hide into something I celebrate!! 

Follow @Colormecourtney on Instagram here!

Over the last 18 months, we’ve all felt the effects of a screen-time hangover. Whether that be down to serial scrolling on Tik Tok, Instagram and Animal Crossing or wrestling with Zoom burnout, there’s no doubt about it, living life through a screen has taken a toll on our mental health.

In fact, The Royal Society for Public Health found that using social media for more than two hours a day can be associated with poor self-rating of mental health, increased levels of psychological distress and even suicidal ideation. That’s reason enough to set some all-important healthy boundaries with our devices and ensure we’re putting our mental health first.

Last year saw LUSH, Zoe Sugg and mental health charity #IAMWHOLE fronted by Jordan Stephens, launch the world’s first Digital Detox Day. Together, they collaborated to raise awareness of the negative impact social media can have on our mental health and helped people to form healthier relationships with their devices by pledging to step away from technology for 24 hours in a UK-wide social media hiatus.

You can catch up on last year’s campaign video here:

Backed by the likes of Sam Smith, Rita Ora and Jade Thirlwall, it reached over 646.9 million people across social media alone and 4.7 billion across press coverage.

Zoe Sugg, Founder of Zoella, also presented a series of IGTV panel discussions, in which she sat down with fellow creators to discuss important topics around mental health and social media including cyberbullying, human connection, body image, anxiety and setting digital boundaries.

In addition, Zoe also teamed up with LUSH to co-create the IRL bath bomb which raised £200,00 for the Wholeness Fund, where they were able to supply grants for grassroots organisations focused on mental health.

Following the success of last year’s DDD campaign, we want to continue the momentum and inspire positive change in our daily lives, to ensure as many people as possible join the conversation and access the support they need to make social media work better for their mental health, period.

After the past 18 months+ of living with the ongoing effects of lockdown life, the importance of stepping away from our devices at regular intervals has never been more relevant nor important for our minds. So we urge you to join us in taking a day offline, and enjoy a Digital Detox Day for yourself on Saturday September 4th.

With its iconic flares and psychedelic florals, its groovy prints and jean dresses, the ‘70s was the golden age of feel-good ‘fits. It was the decade that had it all, with many of the trends still influencing our wardrobes and shopping habits today. Case in point: the club-friendly clogs we never imagined we’d be wearing and yet here we are, toe-tapping to the tune of WAP on a Saturday night.

After a tumultuous 18 months spent living (correction: barely existing) in sweatpants and a Zoom top, you’ve likely overdone it on the ol’ comfies by now and want to treat every damn day like a catwalk. Amen to that! After crisis comes celebration and celebrate with carefree ‘n’ colourful lewks we will. Anyone else self-medicating on mood-boosting clobber and offsetting the misery that was 2020 with outfits that are just one more lilac crochet vest away from careening into fancy dress / toddler territory? Same. 

In this week’s shop post, we’re dialling up the fun and channelling serious Cher meets Stevie Nicks energy. Whether you’re here for bell-bottoms with straight-up disco vibes or you’re looking to dabble with the occasional tassel fringe or boho maxi dress, you’ll be pleased to see this edit provides a very happy mashup of throwback pieces to cater to every ‘70s mood. 

From Saturday by Megan Ellaby to Free People and House of Sunny, read on for your hit of sartorial serotonin.

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We owe a lot to memes. They fuel our friendships, keep our group chats glowing, make meeting strangers infinitely less awkward and pick us up when we’re feeling down.

Whether it’s Bernie’s mittens, Oprah’s gesticulation, Jackie Weaver’s iron fist or the Duke’s spoon, memays make the internet a better place.

Here, we chat to the people behind social media and meme sensation accounts to find out what it really takes to be a professional meme-maker. From writing witty captions and working with brands, to growing a community and turning their mad memery skills into a bonafide business…

Hunsnet – Gareth Howells

How long has your meme account been going?

I started the account in the summer of 2017

Why did you decide to start a meme account?

I’ve always been a bit of a joker with a very dry sense of humour. I also love 00’s nostalgia and pop culture and I started the account to make me and my friends live love & laugh.

What was the first ‘viral’ post?

I made a meme featuring Teresa May crossed with Adele – “We could have had all…. Rolling in the Wheat!”

What’s the process of making a meme?

For the memes that I make they are either based on situations that happen to us all, often situations that we think have only ever happened to us or reactions to the fast-moving news landscape… For example, I recently made a meme about everyone’s Mum doing the Bev Callard workout DVD when they were young everyone went crazy realising that their childhoods were similar with Mum pushing back the furniture to do the workout with a couple of cans of smart price beans whilst munching on a Ryvita.

When something happens in the news that is unexpected or shocking there is a bank of reactions stored in my brain from old X Factor clips, Pops songs or iconic reality TV moments. For memes to go viral you need to be quick to market so making memes in under 3 minutes has become a new talent. There’s also the want to publish the meme first as you can guarantee other brilliant memers are thinking the same as you. I differentiate my content by using certain phrases and language so meme lovers can tell it’s a Hunsnet meme.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Deep in the vaults of 00’s British pop culture.

What makes a meme go viral?

I think it’s often a fusion of forgotten pop culture references used to perfectly articulate situations that are happening or have happened to us all. Clever wit obviously too. Knowing your audience and giving them what they want.

Why do you think memes have become so popular in recent years?

They are quick hits of fun that can make us laugh. We’ve had a crazy couple of years which when you think of it has featured some pretty hard-hitting news events. Memes of shared interests can create a community of like-minded individuals who may have felt quite isolated and alone in recent times.

How can you spot something with meme potential?

Tough question… I suppose it can be something really simple for example the Chanel the lost Parrot scenario. How that goes from a distressing situation for a lady who has lost a beloved pet to a ‘Show Me Love’ remix blows my mind. I think it’s people’s interpretations and celebrations of mundane situations along with a celebration of the ordinary fused with random references that make an excellent meme.

What does it take to make a meme account, what kind of skills do you need to turn it into a career and monetise it as a business?

For me it was recognising there is a community of people with shared interests that follow my account. I started with novelty merchandise then realised that my followers were super loyal and as a result, what would it be like if we brought them all together in a shared space. That’s where the live events side of the business flourished with our hugely popular Hun Brunch events.

What’s the secret to creating a cult brand and growing a community?

Engage with your audience. Chat with them in the comments. Share their content that they take the time to submit. Bring them together in real life, give them an amazing experience. Allow everyone to be a bit silly, whether that’s in the comments or at the events. We could all use a little bit of silliness in our lives.

Top tips for witty caption writing…

For me, it’s about people knowing that it’s a hunsnet meme. I use language that is often spelt how we say it which people seem to find funny. Short, snappy and don’t go round the houses.

What makes a person meme-worthy, obviously the GC is the meme Queen but is there certain people or characters who you just know are going to provide endless material?

People who do ordinary things but make them iconic. Ruth Langsford is a perfect example of this. My followers are so invested in her fashion range, her running diary and her antics on daytime TV. She comes out with some cracking oneliners that can be used in lots of different reaction memes.

What’s been the highlight of your career as a professional meme-maker, so far?

OMG! Hands down featuring on Ruth Langsford’s and Lisa Scott-Lee’s Instagram grids celebrating the work that I do. Also the first-ever event we did where I was worried that people wouldn’t turn up and then everyone had an absolute blast!

Your all-time favourite meme…

Anything that features the 2 Scottish Girls… Cher Lloyd by Cher Lloyd

If you were a meme, what would you be?

Lindsay Lohan living her best life showing us this is how you throw a party in Mykonos!

Follow @Hunsnet on Instagram!

Work in social they said – Anonymous

How long has your meme account been going?

I set the account up in December 2020, so just coming up to 8 months! 

Why did you decide to start a meme account?

I made the account just after the announcement came out that Christmas was cancelled in the UK. I was looking for a way to distract myself from everything else that was going on, and setting up the account seemed like a fun way to do that. 

I’d also seen loads of accounts set up to document the realities of different professions, and noticed that the social media managers hadn’t been represented. So I just decided to take up the mantle one day. The account has always been designed to be a piece of fun escapism for me. I never intended for so many other people to find it, but here we are!

What was the first ‘viral’ post?

I’m not sure I’ve had a true viral meme, but my favourite moment was when a post of mine was shared really early on. I had around 600 followers (which had taken me about a month), and overnight I woke up to around 400 new followers! The account just continued to grow quickly from that point.

What’s the process of making a meme?

It’s difficult to put a time frame on it. Some memes will take less than 30 seconds to write as I’ll see an image and instantly know how I could turn it into a meme. Other pictures and videos will sit in my photo album for weeks and weeks until I manage to find the perfect way to use them.

Overall, I start with the pictures. When I’m scrolling on any social platform, I’ll save images or videos that I think are funny or have meme potential. At the same time, as I’m going through my working week, I make little notes of situations or scenarios which I know are particular pain points for social media managers. 

Then I just try and match the situations up to the photo. It doesn’t usually take too long, but I know that the trick is always to try and make it instantly relatable. I often test the memes out on my friends and family before posting, and if they understand the meme (even though they aren’t social media managers) I know I’m on to a winner. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

My job! Every meeting, every project and every conversation has meme potential written all over it 🙈

What makes a meme go viral?

There are so many reasons that something will go viral, it’s impossible to put a formula on it. But there are a couple of things that will help:

• Is the image current or is it a trend? Anything that feels particularly relevant will always have a better shot at going viral.
• Is the meme instantly relatable? The more people who can see themselves in your meme, the more likely they are to share.
• Have any particularly big accounts shared the meme? Distribution is everything! 
• Are a lot of people talking about the topic of the meme? Again, the more relevant, the more likely people are to share.

Why do you think memes have become so popular in recent years?

I think escapism is a part of it, it’s been a weird couple of years and I think that memes have picked up a lot of popularity amongst the masses as a way to make light of and process challenging situations. 

How can you spot something with meme potential?

Does it make me laugh? Can I see a clear story within the image? Does it feel general enough that it would relate to the masses and not just me? Those are all things I look out for when I’m thinking about memes.

What does it take to make a meme account, what kind of skills do you need to turn it into a career and monetise it as a business?

Well… I’m not sure I can give any advice on turning it in to a career as this is something I do for fun in my spare time, BUT… I think to create memes you need to be able to spot trends and conversations, and understand what it is that drives and frustrates your audience. When you understand what frustrates them and what brings them joy, you can create miniature stories (memes) to recreate those moments. 

In terms of monetisation, I think the secret is building an engaged community and ensuring that whatever monetisation routes you build, it makes sense for your audience. 

What’s the secret to creating a cult brand and growing a community?

Pick a niche and make it your own. There’s no point recreating what somebody else has already done if you want to be a cult brand as you lose that first-to-market advantage that is the hallmark of a cult brand.

When you know your niche, listen to your audience. Read your comments, read your DMs and encourage community-driven behaviour. 

What’s been the highlight of your career as a professional meme-maker, so far?

As someone running an account for social media managers, my favourite moments are when I realise that someone has accidentally followed my account from the accounts that they manage. I couldn’t possibly reveal the accounts… but I will tell you that they have included major household brands, TV shows and even politicians accidentally following the @workinsocialtheysaid account.

Your all-time favourite meme image…

Classic, timeless… it’s gotta be yellow glasses guy.

If you were a meme, what would you be?

My entire account is me in the format of memes, I’m not sure I could ever pick just one. But if I had to pick a meme that i’d like to be, it would have to be some variation on the Jackie Weaver Parish Council spectacle. I stan a true meme queen, and Jackie Weaver is a gal after my own heart.

Follow @Workinsocialtheysaid on Instagram!

Summer might be nearly over but hot girl season is here to stay. Whether you’re going out on the town or slobbing out on the sofa with last night’s Deliveroo, we think a long weekend is the perfect time to treat yourself to a new look. Go chic with a silk black midi dress, or embrace marmite fashion with a Borge vest -Grandma called, she wants her crocs back, but we’re not taking her call.

Whack them on and get yourself to the beer garden with the gals. When you’re sufficiently tipsy, push aside your phone charm and message that Hinge match you ignored three days ago. Summer might have been a flop, but get ready to flip flop your way into the weekend and make some memories worth their own Instagram highlight.

Zoe

Since I’m weeks away now from giving birth, anything nice and floaty and smock like is the dream to wear! I just ordered this white dress to see me through the warmer heavily pregnant days and love it! I’m also obsessed with these Teva sandals as they are SO comfy!

*ASOS, Neon Rose relaxed smock dress with scallop edge collar in poplin, £30 | *& Other Stories, Teva Velcro Sandals, £55 | *& Other Stories, Angular Cat Eye Sunglasses, £23

Lareese

I’m heading to a party on Sunday and even though it is 100% meant to be a low-key jeans and a nice top vibe (translation: Spice Girls karaoke in the kitchen will ensue at 1am) I feel like dressing up in something fancy. I’ve already got this dress in pink so naturally, I needed the black too. I’m going to style it with a slicked back bun, these micro wedges (very The Row, I love ’em) or a pair of DMs, either way, we all know I’ll be kicking off the shoes by midnight ready for the Sporty Spice kicks.

*Warehouse, Satin Dress With Cut Outs, £69 | Zara, MINI WEDGE SANDALS WITH THIN STRAPS, £29.99 | *Mango, Baguette bag with flap, £19.99 | Boots, Rouge Dior Couture Colour Metallic Lipstick 999, £32

Charlotte

Ayyyy who doesn’t love a Bank Holiday!? August Bank Hol is always good vibes, and although I don’t many plans I’m excited nonetheless! I’ve never owned a gilet/vest before but I’m really wanting one for the autumn weather coming up and this one from Weekday is so dreamy. I’ve gone for a fairly laidback look that would work for brunch/shopping/some daytime drinks and I can’t wait to do all of the above!

*Weekday, Rowe Extra High Straight Jeans, £40 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Target premium leather toe thong flatforms in black, £45 | *Weekday, Peggy Pile Vest, £50 | *ASOS, COLLUSION waffle vest in black, £5 | Skinny Dip, Anne Marie x Skinnydip Take Care Tote Bag, £12

Darcey

I actually don’t have any big plans for the bank holiday but more than likely I’ll end up out for drinks at some point with a few friends! I’ll be going jeans and a nice top vibe, wearing some baggy blue jeans and this super cute satin scarf top from ASOS. Paired with some white Air Force (my go-to for basically any event), some gold jewellery and a brown bag to match the outfit.

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN 90s satin scarf double tie halter in brown swirl print, £18 | *ASOS, I Saw It First double button waist detail straight leg jean in blue, £35 | *Office, Nike Air Force 1 07 Trainers White, £89.99 | Gifts From The Crypt, Old English Birth Year Necklace, £8.99 | *ASOS, Forever New Gia gathered handle pouch bag in chocolate, £35

Holly

I was meant to be in Malta this weekend but it unfortunately got cancelled, we’re going on a little staycation instead but you bet I’m still going to be wearing my holiday festival outfits. I’ll be wearing the swirl print most of the time because I’m obsessed. This dress will be so easy for exploring and also nice to dress up for some cocktails in the evening. I’m aiming for clashing colours and making a statement, watch out Liverpool I’m coming for ya.

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Curve shirt dress in green abstract swirl print, £28 | Skinny Dip, Kerri Pink Shoulder Bag, £26 | Skinny Dip, Blush Pearl Stone Sunglasses, £18 | *Office, Melissa, Melissa X Lazy Oaf Kick Off Heart Sandals, £110

Danielle

I’m hoping to go on a bit of a lush lunch date with my old ball and chain this weekend, which means I can’t go wrong with jeans a nice top. I’ve gone for these flared jeans to hug the bum with a little white shirt, black heels keeping all the pops of colour in my accessories with this orange handbag and blue earrings.

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Hourglass high rise ‘lift and contour’ flare jeans in clean black, £28 | *ASOS, Z_Code_Z Wide Fit Exclusive Dina plaited mules with toe post in black, £30 | *ASOS, Weekday Wanda linen shirt in off white, £33 | JW PEI,  Gabbi Bag – Orange, £79 | Ana Luisa, TORUS BLUE, £65

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Achieving a fresh outta the salon look for those of us who can only just manage holding a round brush and hairdryer at the same time isn’t easy, but a man is only as good as his tools, meaning arming yourself with the right equipment is key for any hope of achieving hair styling success. And if Love Island has influenced us on anything positive this season, it’s the girls and their hair wizardry, from Faye’s bouncy curtain bangs to Mary’s spiky 90s bun, is anyone else itching for a switch in the hair department? If so then you’re in the right place, as we detail the best tools in the biz for the main styles out there right now, waves, crimping and mermaid curls included.

Mermaid Waves of Dreams

Beachy waves have always been big on the hair lust list, but mermaid style waves took over Instagram (particularly following Molly-Mae’s beautiful collaborations with Beauty Works) in 2019 and have been here to stay ever since. This universally flattering style is one that works on short and long hair alike, and looks effortlessly undone both on the first day of styling and brushed out and tousled in the days following too- perfect for those of us back in the office for whom having presentable hair is now a requirement (anyone else forget how to use a hairbrush in 2020?). Somewhere between a crimper and a curler, the mermaid waver creates fuss free waves that are perfectly suited for the summer season and add both texture and volume to even the flattest of locks. 

For ultimate cool girl mermaid waves, make sure to leave the bottom of the strand you’re waving slightly less tight than the rest to give a more natural and balanced look, particularly when working with shorter hair. Add some mousse to define the waves and minimise frizz and voila, you’re ready to hit the beach clubs and bars in an instant!

Straight and Sleek

If you’re thinking straight = boring then you couldn’t be further from the truth, and the likes of Kate Moss, Jennifer Anniston and Ariana Grande would certainly be inclined to disagree too. A sleek and straight hairstyle is a classic look for any hair novice out there, with the promise that you can’t go far wrong with some ghd’s and Argan oil in hand. Whether you opt for a poker straight, striking evening look or add a playful twist by flicking out your ends, the fun you can have with hair styling isn’t just reserved for the curly haired ladies amongst us. Add some butterfly clips, a chic hairband or keep it simple with a middle part and you’re well on your way to achieving hairstyle heaven.

ghd is the ultimate in hair straightener magic, but you also can’t go far wrong with staple brands like Babyliss or Remington that offer more budget friendly options that still deliver killer results.

Straight Outta the ‘80s Crimped

According to Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan, crimped accent pieces are coming back, and we’re kinda here for it…

For those not afraid of a throwback look and whom are after texture and volume for days, crimping might indeed be the style for you. The zigzag style waves are mostly synonymous with the ’80s or ’90s but tend to make an annual appearance when festival season rolls around, offering a fun and flirty alternative hairstyle that certainly stands out. Crimping is one of the more time consuming styles out there, but the results usually stay locked in place and last for days, especially with a spritz of your fave hairspray too. Friendly reminder: Don’t brush out crimped hair unless Hermione Granger is your style icon.

Va Va Va Volume

If battling fine and flat hair is your styling nemesis, having the right tools in your collection to challenge your hair’s lacklustre ways might be all you need to take your look to the next, volumised level. Get in at the root with a heated round brush or 2 in 1 dryer and styler and watch your locks transform into bouncy blow dry heaven. A little bit of lift can go a long way in helping transform your look, and depending on your budget, ghd, Revlon or the good ol’ folks at John Lewis have your back in giving you the confidence big hair naturally brings. Psst: for that extra extra bit of volume, try crimping the underneath layers of your hair at the root and watch it stay bouncy all day!

Who Said Drying Your Hair Was a Chore?

Drying one’s hair is certainly not high on the list of most people’s things to do for fun, but needs must, and with the right tools in tow it need not be too much of a struggle. High-tech hair styling is serious business now and if you’re feeling a lil spendy lately than a Dyson hairdryer might be one to add to basket … we promise we won’t tell. Fast drying, without using extreme heat, engineered for multiple different hair types and with a new flyaway attachment, it’s seriously the bees knees when it comes to multitasking in the drying department. For those simply looking to get the job done without the £££ price tag, Babyliss and Remington can once again be relied on for budget friendly offerings that arguably do the job v well too. Grab a paddle brush and some hair oil for a sleek look, or dry upside down for all the extra volume you can get your hands on- you look great, we promise!

The Creme De La Creme of Curls

From ringlets to undone waves or big barrelled curls, there are endless hair curling tools out there depending on whether you’re aiming for Taylor Swift in her Fearless era or Dakota Johnson’s effortless waves. Beauty Works is a classic go-to for all of your curling needs, offering wands with different barrels and attachments to switch out depending on your desired look. Life is truly better once you’ve found the wand or tong that really speaks to you, and almost like the perfect LBD or pair of jeans, knowing you can rely on it through thick and thin is nothing short of a styling dream.

Non-Electrical Essentials

You don’t always need heat to get your desired lewk. Embrace your natural curls by using a curling cream from the likes of Shea Moisture or Cantu which provide crunch-free definition and shine. You can also create beautiful curls with a heatless curling rod hairband (we thank Tik Tok for this). Edge control gel and styling brush will mean those baby hairs are always snatched, these can also be used for any flyaway hairs when styling a sleek bun or high ponytail. We mustn’t forget the powers of a good comb or hairbrush too; anti-static combs keep frizz at bay and elevate heated curled looks when you are after loose beachy waves. Paddle brushes have anti-frizz properties too and are the ideal tool for anyone wanting sleek straight hair, they are the best hair detanglers too, 10/10!

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