We caught up with Jordan post Digital Detox Day to hear all about the campaign, how he founded IAMWHOLE and what he's up to now.
First off, how are you and how have you been coping in 2020?
I’m good at the moment. I’ve been writing so I’m happy. For me personally, 2020’s been quite seismic. Lockdown encouraged me to stand up and look after myself. I needed to grow up a bit and I feel as though I have. I’m still a mess though.
Tell us about IAMWHOLE and how you co-founded the mental health organisation?
IAMWHOLE came off of the back of me writing a song with my old band Wildhood called Whole. It was about me spiralling into depression. Didn’t realise I felt that way until I wrote it. I reached out to Matt Campion at Spirit Media about an unrelated project and the stars aligned.
Why do you think speaking out about mental health is so important?
Speaking out about anything truthful to the human experience is important. For me, being a human is all about connection and community. Our mental health defines the way we see the world. Offering our perspective can often add light to another person’s view.
How would you describe your relationship with social media?
Occasionally enjoyable
Why do you think it’s so important to take a digital detox?
Digital detoxes are important because if we don’t pay more attention to ourselves and each other in real life, the robots will win.
Being able to take some time out to reflect, so we can all form better relationships with ourselves and our devices
What is your advice for someone struggling with their mental health?
Fight your demons by helping healthy decisions win. It’s really difficult but so rewarding. Go to sleep earlier. Sleep more. Get out of bed earlier. Move your body more. Limit the junk food. Read a book. Most important, zoom out. Everything balances.
Music 4 Mental Health was a great initiative that brought together some epic talent to put on an unforgettable fundraising event. Everyone should come to the next one.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently making new music, writing kid‘s books, scripts and acting.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
I’m away somewhere quiet with my dog and my girlfriend, reading a good book and plotting our moves for the inevitable revolution that’s to come.
What do you always carry with you?
A pen.
What would your last ever meal be?
Ackee, salt fish, dumpling and plantain.
What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?
My favourite Dr Suess quote is “Be who you are and say what you feel, ‘cause those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”
When it comes to autumn, striking the balance between cosy and cool isn't easy but we've sourced 24 beautiful pieces to give your home a refresh for the 'ber' months.
Updating little parts of your home for the new season always keeps things fresh. When it comes to autumn, striking the balance between cosy and cool isn’t easy but we’ve sourced 24 beautiful pieces to give your home a refresh for the ‘ber’ months.
Swap fresh flowers for dried, summer colours for oranges and blues and keep textures soft and inviting. With less natural light streaming through your windows pick up some candles or a statement lamp to give you the glow you need as it gets colder.
On Saturday 5th September, we switched off for 24 hours to reconnect with our real lives and re-evaluate our relationship with social media. No sharing, no scrolling, no liking, just living that notification-free life.
Yesterday, the team stepped away from social media to join in with #DigitalDetoxDay – a campaign brought to you by Zoe, I Am Whole and Lush Cosmetics to raise awareness of the negative impact our digital devices can have on our mental health.
We are all increasingly dependent on our phones; addicted to the pace of responding to messages as soon as they’ve popped up and keeping up with other people’s seemingly perfect lives, so much so that we often struggle to keep up with our own.
On Saturday 5th September, we switched off for 24 hours to reconnect with our real lives and re-evaluate our relationship with social media. No sharing, no scrolling, no liking, just living that notification-free life.
Find out what the team got up to, how it felt to properly switch off from social and how often they like to have a digital detox.
Zoe…
Digital detox day was something I felt SO prepared for. After years of creating, building and working so hard to get this campaign up and running, I felt like I’d absolutely have this in the bag. A whole day without scrolling through social media… easy!! However, my thumbs appear to be programmed to just flick open Instagram at any moment to fill throughout the day apparently. I actually moved my Instagram app into its own folder on a separate bit of my phone homepage so I wasn’t tempted, and it worked! But my little thumb kept clicking where the app once was. It was such a nice day to refocus, reconnect and re-evaluate how much time I spend on social media and how much of my time I think about using it. It very quickly became apparent that i use it as a filler in my day & yesterday felt like I had so much more time to do things when I wasn’t using it. The day felt longer, conversations were much more deep and meaningful without anyone being on their phone & overall it was such a nice, wholesome day.
I tend to try and do detox’s every Christmas time, however I don’t usually ban myself from checking in at what others are doing, so this was a first for me. I’m really good at not posting, but the consuming other people’s content and feeling connected in that way, was much harder than I thought it would be. I’m so happy I was able to do it though, and as the day went on it became easier and easier and when Sunday rolled around, I could have definitely still stayed off until Monday!
We started the day off heading to London to see the campaign up on the big screens in Piccadilly where they were turned off for the fourth time in history to signify switching off for mental health and that was a really special moment.
We also went for brunch beforehand with Alfie, Maddie & her hubby Joel, Poppy & Sean which was so nice. Stopping off at my brother’s to sing him an early happy birthday and eat a slice of cake, then headed home to celebrate the dogs 6th birthday with a takeaway. It was the perfect day and it certainly made me realise how addicted I really am to using Instagram.
I will definitely be adding more digital detox days into my life going forward, and not just days where I don’t post, days where I don’t even open the app at all 💗
Maddie…
Hi, I’m Maddie and I’m addicted to scrolling online. I’ll admit it, I have an unhealthy relationship with social media. It’s the first thing I check when I wake up and the last thing before I go to sleep, with a whole lot of scrolling in between. I do love it, it’s my job but even if it wasn’t I know I would be just as glued to it as I am now.
I love documenting my life and having snapshots of moments to look back on in the future, but I’m acutely aware that 90% of the time it’s only the best bits, the highlights reel AKA, not real life. If I’m being honest I found the detox quite hard. Social media has become part of my daily routine but at the same time to go cold turkey was a bit of a revelation. For Digital Detox Day, Piccadilly Circus agreed to turn their lights off for 10 minutes to mark the day. This was a BIG deal as it’s only the 4th time in history it’s ever happened. Zoe and I knew we HAD to be there to mark the occasion so we met up in Covent Garden for an early brunch along with my husband, Alfie, Poppy and Sean (and Captain Bear) before heading to Piccadilly to see Zoe and Jordan’s billboard be turned “OFF”.
I’m so proud of this campaign and it was a real pinch-me moment to see it up on the biggest screens in London.
Joel and I then took Bear for a walk and went home to cook dinner and have a relaxing evening, it was such a great day. I felt like I had so much free time it was quite a scary realisation, I’m definitely going to try and take days off social media more often!
Lareese…
I spend an unhealthy amount of time on social media and my screen time stats show it. The numbers don’t lie! Even if I’m not physically on it, I’m usually thinking about it – shooting imagery, pulling together moodboards for inspiration, writing captions and planning my Instagram content, so my work life balance is pretty non-existent. My brain is always on the go, which is why doing a digital detox felt so restorative. It’s one thing to say you’re just going to take the day off from posting and sharing on social (which I often do here and there) but to actively disengage and forget it even exists for a day has been pretty liberating.
What’s interesting to me is how much more relaxed I feel once I step away from the online world – it’s like I’ve given myself permission to be unreachable for a few minutes. Honestly, when my battery goes and I’m away from a charger, a little part of me is relieved! It means I can forget that whole other responsibility of constant connectivity for a while. Half the time I open Instagram just out of habit and end up mindlessly scrolling without any particular purpose. All of a sudden, I’ve lost an hour! That’s theft.
Digital detox day was an opportunity to indulge in the simplicity of the here and now – to go out for a walk and just put one foot in front of the other, instead of checking my phone, documenting said walk for Instagram, or trying to change hen do flights and respond to urgent WhatsApp messages, DMs and emails. It was a whole 24 hour period where I got to ask less of myself and my time. I’m one of those people who worry I’ll forget to get back to someone unless I respond then and there (I would also hate for anyone to feel like I’ve ignored them) so I find myself spreading myself too thinly, juggling 10 tasks or conversations at once and unable to give the adequate energy to any one of them. I need to learn to be more protective of my energy.
I’ve fallen into the habit of going straight on social media as soon as I wake up and it immediately makes me feel crabby, like I’ve deprived my mind of the gentle wakeup routine it deserves, so on Friday evening I left my phone in the hallway so I wasn’t tempted to look at it on my bedside table in the morning.
I spent Saturday AM easing myself into the weekend by reading in bed with a coffee. I went to check out a new restaurant in town, followed by a bit of weekend thrifting – it’s amazing how many bargs you notice when you’re not married to your phone. The evening involved plonking myself in the bath with Zoe’s IRL bath bomb and a glass of wine – it was pure uninterrupted bliss.
Doing DDD has inspired me to make sure I commit to taking regular social media breaks and even phone-free days where possible. Having that downtime away from my devices has enabled me to see what healthy boundaries look like! I feel properly rested & ready to give my creative best again, which is so important for my mental health.
Charlotte…
I don’t think I’ve ever taken a full 24 hours offline since getting a phone/setting up my social media pages all those years ago which is just WILD to me- it’s crazy how much of my day is taken up with refreshing and scrolling so going fully cold turkey was always going to be a challenge!
I almost had to set some sort of reminder to myself when I woke up to not immediately grab for my phone because it’s just SO ingrained in me to immediately open Instagram. My whole routine felt different- even when I eat my breakfast I’m ordinarily scrolling TikTok or catching up on the news via Twitter whilst I was asleep, so I must admit I did feel a little out of the loop.
I decided to take the day slowly and try and be really grounded and mindful of how I was going to spend my time, as usually I’ll be rushing around or procrastinating by scrolling endlessly. Although I love reading a good book, I’m often drawn away from it by a cheeky IG scroll, so it was beyond lovely to dedicate so much time to getting through my hefty TBR pile and transport to another world for a little while. I also went for a long walk on the beach, which again would normally involve a scroll through Insta as I’m walking- I considered leaving my phone fully at home, but in the end decided Spotify would be nice so I wasn’t in complete silence for my whole day.
The rest of my Saturday was spent wandering The Laines (I popped into Lush and saw The IRL bath bomb IRL!), sorting and cleaning the flat and cooking a new vegan tempura veg and sticky mushroom recipe I’d picked up from a friend! It felt like such a wholesome and relaxing day and gave me a lot of perspective and appreciation for the little things. Having a whole day offline made me realise how negatively social media can make me compare myself, and a day without any of those worries or fears was exactly what I needed. I actually think going cold turkey and cutting it out fully was so beneficial because there was no temptation for just ‘a couple more minutes’ scrolling or to get any sense of FOMO. It’s definitely something I’ll be doing more as my screen time is normally so horrendous, and will be encouraging my friends and family to do the same!
Danielle…
So! Digital Detox Day was actually supposed to be the day after my wedding (cancelled due to COVID) so I’d already decided that I wanted my family to come and stay, so we could do something fun and distract us from feeling sorry for ourselves. Taking a digital detox is actually not something I do very often, and sometimes on slower weekends, I’m guilty of wasting SO much time scrolling and putting things off that I want to get done. Sometimes I feel like the amount I enjoy social media doesn’t correspond with how much time I spend on there at all, you’d think I’d really love something that I’m able to spend hours doing! Social media often makes me feel alone when I can see so many of my friends out and about living their best lives and I have to constantly remind myself that people only post when they’re doing things, and I’m the same. When it comes to celebrities I don’t easily let their lavish lifestyles or banging bodies make me feel bad about myself because I follow so many down to earth, funny, relatable, joyful people that balance it out. I think I’m probably in need of a bit of a refresh when it comes to who I’m following as even though there are 1500+ accounts I always end up seeing the same 20 people over and over again! On Digital Detox Day my sister, brother in law, and my parents came down to Brighton for a good old day of fun. We drank and ate and went to see some comedy at The Warren down on the beach. I chucked all my “temptation-time sucking” apps into a folder and didn’t touch them all day and I loved not feeling guilty about not knowing what was going on. The biggest takeaway for me was that i felt like I was much more in the moment and wasn’t turning to my phone every 20 minutes to check it for no reason at all. I think I’ll start taking a DDD every month!
Darcey…
I was so ready for Digital Detox Day! I know how addicted I am to social media, I can spend hours indulging in Instagram and Tik Tok and at the time I enjoy it, but after I always wonder why I just wasted so much time looking at what others are doing. I love working within social media and I see so much good from it, but in my personal life I definitely scroll too much and I think this can sometimes affect my mental health negatively. I find being online too much perpetuates that notion of constant comparison to others, it can make me feel like I am way behind others my age or that I haven’t achieved enough yet. But something I try to remember when I get in my feelings is that social media is the best bits of peoples lives and you truly never know what someone is really going through. At the end of the day, social media are just apps on your phone, tiny insignificant apps which could be deleted and never opened again in a heartbeat. Don’t let an app make you feel less worthy EVER.
For Digital Detox Day I wanted to allow myself a guilt-free day, I find a lot of the time, especially at weekends, I feel constant guilt for “not doing enough” or spending it a certain way. So I allowed myself zero guilt, just relaxation and enjoying the moment. I started my day absolutely screen-free, I didn’t even check texts or WhatsApp. I actually put my phone on do not disturb for the entire day to stop me reaching for it. I also locked all my social media apps so notifications couldn’t come through from them too.
I spent the rest of my morning getting ready slowly, not interrupted by checking social media every 10 mins looking at the same news feed on repeat. I then met my Nana for lunch which was lovely, which involved no sneaky checking of social media mid-convo that all of us are guilty of doing. I met up with my Dad too for a dog walk with the pugs, another event I realised I probably would have checked my phone at some point for no reason. I actually left my phone at home for this walk and ended up not picking it up for the rest of the evening. I spent the rest of my day reading my book and I had a lovely bath with the IRL bath bomb, pure relaxation.
Digital Detox Day has shown me just how important having a break is, it really refreshed my mind and I aim to do one monthly from now on!
The Wholeness Fund: How To Apply For The One-Off Grant
As part of the Digital Detox Day campaign, all the money raised from the limited edition IRL bath bomb will be going into a one-off fund taking applications for grants from small, grassroots groups doing great things for those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues.
As part of the Digital Detox Day campaign, money raised from the limited edition IRL bath bomb will be going into a one-off fund taking applications for grants from small, grassroots groups doing great things for those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues.
Often these small, local groups need to raise money to continue the invaluable work they do in their communities, which is what this one-off fund is all about. The little guys, doing BIG things.
Do you know any unsung heroes making an impact in your local area? Running self-help groups or saving lives through suicide prevention initiatives? Heading into schools to speak about mental health issues or offering mutual support through workshops and meet-ups?
Perhaps you run a group yourself or you know a local group raising mental health awareness through various projects or sports clubs – let them know about the Wholeness Fund.
Groups & initiatives do not have to be registered charities but will need to demonstrate a track history of their work. Grants of between £100 and £10,000 can be applied for, depending on the size of the project.
Closing date for applications is 31st December 2020. The successful entrants will be decided by a judging panel consisting of experts from the mental health field, Zoe Sugg, as well as representatives from I Am Whole and Lush.
The Best People To Follow for Normalising Your Body And Curating Your Feed
Instagram can be a hotbed for comparison & self-deprecation. It seems like everywhere we look, we’re being told we’re not enough: not thin enough, smooth enough, not loveable enough - and we’re so over it.
In an age where social media perpetuates unattainable levels of beauty and perfection, making friends with your body is a radical act of self-love.
Instagram can be a hotbed for comparison & self-deprecation. It seems like everywhere we look, we’re being told we’re not enough: not thin enough, smooth enough, not loveable enough – and we’re so over it.
But the tide is slowly changing, and a growing number of women and men are reclaiming their body image, rejecting false ideals of what a socially acceptable body looks like & dismantling the narrative that says our physical appearance and our weight determines our worth.
Give us people living their best life with their stretch marks, battle scars, cellulite, rolls, hair, bloated bellies, hyperpigmentation on show for the whole world to see. To see all those delightfully normal, human things is a powerful reminder that your body – and all the unique parts we’ve been conditioned to hate – is something to be proud of.
Your body is always good enough and you are its greatest opportunity for happiness. Read that again. Put it on a post-it note. Write it on your mirror in your favourite red lippy. Your body is a bloody wonderland and no one else gets to tell you how much it’s worth. There is more than one way to be beautiful and thinness is not the benchmark for human achievement.
No one celebrates self-love and acceptance better than these beautiful people. So, if you ever need a daily reminder that you are shake-your-tits fantastic just as you are, this is the crowd you want to follow.
Stephanie has been a part of the fat acceptance body positivity movement since 2014. Her Instagram account serves as a space to share her personal style and talk about important issues such as body confidence, mental health and loving yourself unapologetically. She’s just published her first book Fattily Ever Afer – a love letter to plus sized black women. Basically, she’s just out here doing all the things and changing the narrative around body image. What a woman.
In her own words, Beck is just an ordinary woman who poops in a bag. She’s on a mission to raise Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) awareness and normalise stomas by documenting her life after ileostomy surgery. She reminds us that our bodies all have a different story to tell, and that’s what makes them beautiful.
“Reminder – You are Art 🎨
Scars Body hair Blemishes Spots Freckles Skin Stretch Marks Cellulite Imperfections Disabilities whether they’re visible or invisible.
If you like your body confidence served with a delightful dose of Welsh wit, Callie is your dream match. She talks openly and honestly about her relationship with her body and we’re not afraid to admit that we want all her chub in the tub photos on canvas immediately. Kindness is her agenda and we are here for it!
Beauty journalist & a passionate member of the anti-diet culture club, Alex has long been documenting her recovery from an eating disorder across her Instagram, blog and podcast. Her carefully considered captions never fail to inspire us to give our ever-changing bodies a bloody break. If we all had the inner voice we really deserved, it would sound like Alex.
FP’s account is a mixture of dreamy pastel outfits, cracking personality and 10/10 humour. She makes scrolling those little squares an all-together better experience, just by being her. The world needs more Frans in it.
One of the first champions of body acceptance, Megan overcame anorexia and now uses her platform to encourage other women to fight h-a-r-d for the self-love they deserve. Her thought-provoking captions always come through with the truth.
“You do not owe the world thin. You do not owe the world thick. You do not owe the world a body that you have to sacrifice your mental health for. Your purpose on this planet is not to be visually appealing to other people. You are made for more than that and always have been. You’re allowed to own your space here without thinking that you constantly have to earn your existence with pretty.”
When Nyome Nicholas-Williams shared an incredible photograph of her sitting in a chair, covering her breasts with her arms, the posts were swiftly removed for violating Instagram’s semi-nudity guidelines. What followed was a viral campaign under the hashtag #Iwanttoseenyome.
Her followers rallied, a petition was launched and signed by just under 17,000 people and Instagram reinstated the images. But that was just the beginning. Thanks to Nyome and the help of fellow activists and content creators Gina Martin and Stephanie Yeboah, Instagram is now reviewing its semi-nudity guidelines, particularly in relation to the censorship of black plus size bodies. So as well as model, content creator and body positive advocate, she can now add policy change maker to her major list of accolades. Not all heroes wear capes.
“Why are white plus sized bodies seen as “acceptable” and accepted and black plus sized bodies not? Let’s shift the narrative that the media and fashion has upheld for too long that depicts our bodies as somehow being wrong when that couldn’t be further from the truth! I will continue to challenge and break down those societal and fashion “body standards” that have been upheld for too long.”
The Sheffield-based beauty blogger lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, a rare genetic condition that weakens muscles, meaning she has to use a motorised wheelchair on a daily basis as she cannot walk or stand. Growing up, Tess never saw anybody like herself represented in the beauty or fashion industry and has since made it her mission to change that.
Body confidence champion Jules Von Hep may have created the cult self-tan range Isle of Paradise but his real raison d’être is to encourage us to stop apologising for our bodies and start appreciating everything they do. He’s all for working with your body rather than against it.
This lady needs no introduction! An award-winning creator, presenter and Happiful Magazine columnist, Grace is predominantly known for her inspiring words and her refusal to bow down to societal expectations. Her content focuses on plus size fashion, healing the mind, body and spirit and the importance of self-development in a world determined to shrink you.
Having been through her fair share of mental health issues concerning body image, Megan is now using her platform to build confidence in other women. Part affirmation, part motivational poetry, her words will forever leave you feeling empowered and determined to be on better terms with your body. To fall in love with Megs is to fall in love with yourself!
Consider Nicole your one-stop-shop for all things mid-size style. Her smile is infectious, and her imagery radiates those wholesome posi vibes. If you’re looking for someone to serve you pure joy on a daily basis, leave it to Nicole.
There are so many more incredible accounts out there inspiring us to make self-love the goal. Drop your favourites in the comments below so we can continue to curate our Instagram feeds with kindness, love & body acceptance!
Drop your favourite accounts in the comments for others to follow!
Repeating an encouraging phrase gives the words power to squash our worries and self-defeating thoughts and instead, make space for self-compassion.
You are now entering a stress-free zone.
Just think happy thoughts and you’ll fly.J. M. Barrie
Positive thinking is its very own field of mindfulness. It’s a simple but powerful coping strategy that can help diffuse tension and alter our mindset during times of stress, anxiety and self-doubt, by focusing our thoughts on the life beyond this temporary struggle.
Repeating an encouraging phrase gives the words power to squash our worries and self-defeating thoughts and instead, make space for self-compassion.
Whilst they won’t magically erase anxiety, affirmations can counter feelings of emotional distress and doubt by bolstering optimism and motivation.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…Dr Seuss
Reciting positive statements during stressful situations can help but affirming yourself every day is a better habit to get into since they tend to have more impact when used regularly. It’s also a great way to ensure you’re practising self-care every day. Set aside sometime during the morning ahead of your day to centre your thoughts, reclaim your inner peace and come back into balance.
Here’s a selection of our favourite positive affirmations and kind words to remember on tough days.
Do you have a positive affirmations to calm your mind? Let us know in the comments!
As part of the #DigitalDetoxDay campaign we caught up with Jamie Windust after they took part in today's panel discussion: Cyber Bullying. Jamie is a writer - editor – speaker – activist - model and more.
First of all, how are you and how have you been coping in 2020?
Hello! I’m doing okay, and I think that’s where a lot of people are at right now. 2020 has been a YEAR for many reasons, and it’s taken a lot of adaptation and adjustment, but as the world is reopening, and we are able to find our feet again I think it’s creating a sense of stability again. Coping has been hard, but it’s been a challenge that I know in the long term, will result in positive change for myself.
Tell us all about your presence online and how you got started!
My online presence started as a diary and was really a space for me to be able to have an outlet of conversation. I didn’t have many friends growing up, and being able to use social media to find the LGBTQ+ community in the palm of my hand was invaluable. I would use it as a diary of my day, in a very literal sense and looking back at it now it’s incredibly embarrassing and long and awful but I enjoyed it and at the time, it was a godsend for me. I’d archive and share my outfits, and it was a way to feel confident in who I was at that time.
You have a multi-hyphen bio as a writer – editor – speaker – model and more, what’s your advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Take your time! These things, despite social media often making them look like it, don’t happen overnight. There are endless hours of hard work, and it takes time to align yourselves with what you like doing, and what you want to do as your job. Often we end up moving our hobbies, into our careers, and it’s important you think carefully about that, as it can sometimes take the joy out of something you once loved doing. Be confident, proud and authentic in whatever industry you’re in, especially if you’re a marginalised voice. Don’t let people underestimate you, and always know your voice is necessary and valid in those spaces.
What is it like being such a prominent non-binary person on the internet?
It’s interesting, and at times incredibly difficult. As someone who holds a lot of privilege in this space, and often is asked to comment/speak on non-binary issues, it’s important for me to ensure I am constantly opening the door and widening the discussion around our identities. I like to use my platform, and voice and work to amplify our voices as a collective, because one person can never be a voice for our whole community. But I do enjoy it, it makes me feel empowered to see non-binary people represented in spaces that are so often devoid of transness.
You filmed a panel discussion discussing cyberbullying with Zoe for the lead up to Digital Detox Day, what are your experiences with Cyberbullying, and what advice would you give to someone struggling with it?
Cyber Bullying made up a lot of my younger years trauma, and it’s something that has evolved now into trolling and verbal harassment online. It’s really disheartening and toxic as it infiltrates your safe space, which can often be your social media. It creates a dynamic that can make you feel unsafe in a space you’ve curated to feel safe within, which is awful.
Advice for people going through it, and struggling with it is to know it’s not your fault. What you’re sharing, and speaking about should never mean you receive vitriol online. Speak to your friends about it, if you feel comfortable enough, share your experiences on it, and speak to fellow people who are in the same situation. Know that your curated online space is yours, so block, report, and get rid of these people who are continually doing this to you. Also, detox! Take time off, and find your footing with your physical allies if possible.
Why is it so important or you to have a Digital Detox Day?
For me, it’s important because so much of my work is now spent on social media. As a model and content creator, and a writer, there are few moments that I’m not online, so being able to actually reconnect with myself, and other people in person is really vital. It’s a reminder that we can still have joy, allyship and fun outside of our social networks. It’s also a test, to see if what people are speaking about online when it comes to social issues, are actually enacting the words they’re preaching in person.
What are some of the best things about the LGBTQ+ community online?
Our talent. We have SO much skill and brilliance in what we do, and seeing it online is really beneficial for our community. Especially our younger members. It’s freeing to feel that if you’re in a physical space that isn’t there for you, that you can have that sense of community instantly in the palm of your hands. It’s the best thing about the LGBTQ+ community online.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I am about to release my debut book In Their Shoes, which is all about living and navigating life as a non-binary person. It’s been a chance to share my experiences with fashion, social media, work, relationships, family etc, and how I weaved my way through all of it. It’s fun, lighthearted, silly, but also serious and poignant and I can’t wait for it to be released on the 21st October! I’m also working on my own interview series with IWeigh and Jameela Jamil speaking to guests about what it’s like to be In Their Shoes for the day! We have some amazing guests such as Tom Allen and Ade Adepitan, so I can’t wait to share that with you soon!
How can people help the cause when it comes to Trans rights?
They can help by listening to the trans people themselves talk about the issues that impact their lives. Not just listening to the media, and ensuring they investigate their own questioning, by learning from trans people themselves. Realising that we aren’t just a sum of the awful headlines, and transphobic commentary, but of our skills, and our joy, and our brilliance.
What will you be getting up to on Digital Detox Day?
I’m going to make a concerted effort to enjoy myself offline. To make sure that I spend time with my close friends, and remember that it’s possible to have fun with people outside of social media, especially after the pandemic!
What does a perfect weekend look like for you?
A perfect weekend for me is spending it in a little quaint British town or seaside village, and roaming the charity shops and treating myself to a gorge little dinner after. I love going on rambles to random places in the UK, and being able to just walk around and spend time off my phone and do .. well nothing essentially! It’s the best, those days and weekends where you just relax and do very little but still have the best time.
What do you always carry with you?
I always carry a bottle of perfume, lipgloss and a packet of mixed nuts.. don’t ask me why but I’m permanently hungry so it’s always an essential!
If you could give one piece of positive advice to our followers what would it be?
To make sure that whatever you’re doing, and whatever stage you’re in, in your life, to know that things will become more streamlined, and easier, no matter how long it takes. Things will mellow, and you will find happiness in yourself and your identity.
Autumn is on the horizon, and you know what that means? New-season shopping! Enjoy this week's edit and let us know what you've got your eye on.
Autumn is on the horizon, and you know what that means? New-season shopping! The changing of weather, priorities and opportunities that come with a new calendar month offer a v satisfying scroll of your favourite online outlets, and this week we’re sharing the top tier items on our wish lists.
Team Zoella are fond of all things AW styling more than most, so expect some cardigans and layers that we’ll be phasing into our wardrobes over the coming weeks. For those of us not ready to let go of summer quite yet, we’re still loving the ease of chucking on a mini dress or linen trousers and a tee, so don’t fear fellow sun loving dressers out there- there are picks for you too!
And finally, the category we can never, ever get enough of homeware! Because if a second lockdown is on the way, you best believe our homes will be looking their absolute 10/10 best selves whilst we sit inside our four walls. Enjoy this week’s edit and let us know what you’ve got your eye on!
Danielle
I decided to have a look at the new-in home section of Oliver Bonas after seeing this super cool embroidery DIY Kits as I’ve wanted to learn it for ages. A couple of kitchen bits like a butter dish and a glug jug (obsessed) as well as a boujie mirror that I would LOVE to sit and get ready in front on and a neon ‘Spritz’ sign that would look great over my bar!
I haven’t been a big lockdown shopper. It’s only recently that I’ve started getting the urge to buy a few new things now that the rules have eased slightly and I have to dress from the waist down again. I recently found some really lovely floaty dresses and cute knits that I feel with the right accessories will see me through into Autumn.
Homeware and style (plus food) are the areas that hit my bank balance most, and my IG saved folder is constantly full of new-in bits I’ve got my eye on. Exercise went out the window during lockdown but I’m loving walking and getting out in the warmer weather so these cute pastel leggings are deffo on my list! I also love the olive tone of this puff sleeve dress which would be perfect for date night. Finally, to spruce up my room, I adore this cat lover art print and adorable mirror affirmation that is the perfect everyday reminder.
Autumn is my fave time of year so I’m already planning ahead and eyeing up all the knitwear and jackets. I’m looking forward to the days of easy layering and huddling into a parka on a rainy walk. This white shirt with broderie-detail will be a great piece to have in my wardrobe all year round, perfect for adding a little something to a neutral outfit.
This time of year is my absolute FAVOURITE in terms of new in fashion as Autumn starts rolling around. I spotted this over-jacket in Zara and stocked up on a new pair of boots too! I also bought a few new dresses to wear with boots and throw a leather jacket over them. I actually saw someone wearing this white COS dress when I was in town the other day and immediately came home and purchased it!
When it gets to mid-August I become obsessed with transitional pieces. I find an oversized shacket or shirt is great to transition into Autumn with, especially in the UK when our Summer evenings aren’t to warm! I am loving corduroy’s return, I’m totally here for it!
Introducing #DigitalDetoxDay: Switch Off For Mental Health
On Saturday, 5th September we’ll be stepping away from our digital devices and switching off for Digital Detox Day.
On Saturday, 5th September we’ll be stepping away from our digital devices and switching off for Digital Detox Day.
The collaborative campaign between Zoe Sugg, mental health organisation #IAMWHOLE and LUSH Cosmetics, aims to raise awareness about the negative impact social media can have on our mental health and encourages participants to form better relationships with our devices. That ever-present digital connection and always ‘on’ mindset can end up making us feel more disconnected than ever, causing stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and insomnia, to name a few.
We’ve all seen our screen time stats and felt shook by the number of hours (and even days) we’ve lost to scrolling that great digital abyss. Doing a digital detox allows you to set healthy boundaries and gives your mind a chance to switch off, recharge and focus on social interactions in real life without digital distractions.
To join in, simply grab your best black pen and draw a circle on your hand with the word ‘OFF’ written in the middle. On the 4th September, upload the pic of your hand to your social channels to show that you’re supporting DDD on 5th September. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #DIGITALDETOXDAY and #IAMWHOLE
On the 5th September, disconnect to reconnect. Stay off social media for one whole day and enjoy the break!
When Digital Detox Day is over, you may decide it’s something you want to practise on a regular basis with recurrent digital abstinence. Pick one day a week to go device-free or social media-free, whatever works for you. The aim is to promote more positive habits around your social media usage and digital devices. Give it a go.
Reusable and sustainable menstrual products have been around for decades but until recently have been eclipsed by their single-plastic counterparts. In this edition of our 'We Tried' series, the team took the plunge and got to grips with menstrual cups. Literally. Find out how we got on with the Bettercup!
With each individual going through approximately 11,000 pads and tampons in their lifetime, disposable sanitary products are no friend of the planet, this much we do know. But if you’re anything like us, the thought of trying a menstrual cup made us clam up. What about leakage and rinsing it out in the sink with an audience? So. Many. Intimidating. Scenarios.
It’s estimated that a whopping 1.5-2 billion menstrual items are flushed down Britain’s toilets each year, with the vast majority ending up washed up on beaches or in landfill.
What’s scarier than all of the above though, is the environmental cost of plastic periods, not to mention the financial strain on our uterus every time we have to shell out for overpriced tampons and pads. It’s estimated that a whopping 1.5-2 billion menstrual items are flushed down Britain’s toilets each year, with the vast majority ending up washed up on beaches or in landfill. It’s a sorry story for our shorelines but that’s not the half of it. A recent study from the US found that non-organic rayon-based tampons contain some pretty nasty chemicals – paint stripper, to name just one. How the hell is that allowed near our vaginas? Well, because the menstrual industry basically polices itself, meaning there’s little to no transparency about what goes into the products. Doing a bit of womb washing up a few times a month suddenly doesn’t seem such a big deal after all.
Reusable and sustainable menstrual products have been around for decades but until recently have been eclipsed by their single-plastic counterparts. In this edition of our ‘We Tried’ series, the team took the plunge and got to grips with menstrual cups. Literally. Find out how we got on with the Bettercup!
Lareese…
Hi, I’m Lareese and I’m a menstrual cup evangelist. Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say. If anyone was going to find an excuse to wriggle out of stuffing a cup up her vagina like some sort of contortionist and rinsing out my innards in the sink, it would be me. Trust me.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been mid-burpee in a body combat class and literally felt my tampon crowning and yet I settled for that life because, well, it’s a period not a five star eat, pray, bleed happiness retreat.Lareese
I’ve been interested in trying more sustainable period products for a while but you know what it’s like, another period rolls around and you’ll just do anything for an easy life, trying out a cup just wasn’t top of my 2020 bucket list. I was so adamant I wouldn’t get on with it that I just got stuck in a tampon rut. When I think about it, I never quite found my groove with them over the years. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been mid-burpee in a body combat class and literally felt my tampon crowning and yet I settled for that life because, well, it’s a period not a five star eat, pray, bleed happiness retreat. Little did I know that such a retreat does exist – and I only had to go to my bathroom to find it. It’s no Bali, but it’ll do.
Working from home during lockdown presented the perfect opportunity to give the cup a good go and honestly, I wish I made the switch sooner. There’s certainly a knack to getting it in there, especially on the first few goes – I quickly learnt that there’s really no elegant way to do it, just fold it up like a gift and present it to your vagina, and when I say present I mean literally shove it in its face. After getting over that first hurdle, I got a bit ballsy and headed straight out on a run. It was always going to be a risk – did I put it in right? Will I leave a Hansel and Gretel-like trail of bloodcrumbs behind me? Will it disappear into the abyss and burst out of out my eyeball? Nothing of the sort happened. In fact, the cup didn’t even budge one bit. I couldn’t feel it rattling around inside of me, it just slotted perfectly into place.
The next day, full of this new-found period confidence, I went down the beach for a swim. I popped the Bettercup in first thing in the morning and didn’t give it another thought until I emptied it before bed. I’d say that’s one of the best things about converting to cups – the freedom! I can leave the Bettercup in all day and it doesn’t hold me back from doing all the things I enjoy! No crowning cotton to deal with, no peeing on the string (you can pee and poo as normal with a cup in btw), no more getting caught out and doing a mad dash to Boots. Who knew periods could be this convenient? And I really did put it through its paces.
I’ve yet to navigate the rinsing it in a communal sink situ but I know wiping it down with tissue, reinserting and rinsing at my earliest convenience is still ok if I happen to find myself in a toilet with an audience and only one sink up for grabs. I’m so glad I’ve discovered a period product that works for me and the planet (I mean, it lasts for 10 years! That blows my tiny mind), and lets me live my blooming life without worrying. Periods are never going to be the most enjoyable event in our monthly calendars but this game-changing little cup is proof that they can certainly be better.
Danielle…
Let me start this off with the headline, which is that I am absolutely a ‘cup convert’. I’m so pleased I gave the better cup a whirl and I urge you to do the same!
So. I have a fairly regular period, lasts about four days with the heavier days being the second and third. Trialling the cup whilst working from home was a dream, as I’m sure, like many, my biggest concerns were the mess/getting it in and out which are all made easier in the comfort of your own bog. I’m a tampon girl usually, I opt for super (sometimes regular) and prefer Tampax pearl, which I think we can all admit are expensive and pretty crap for the environment.
The first time I put it in was a little tricky, I won’t lie when I say it is quite beefy and there is an element of shoving to get it up before it unfolds but it was not painful.Danielle
I came on during a Sunday afternoon this month, the first day is usually more of a “Hi I’m here” than a “WHAT UP BITCH MOTHER NATURE HAS ARRIVED” so I chilled out and decided I’d pop Mr cup in before I went to bed. I must admit I was pretty excited to come on and give it a go. The first time I put it in was a little tricky, I won’t lie when I say it is quite beefy and there is an element of shoving to get it up before it unfolds but it was not painful. Immediately I liked the feel and even though I knew it was in there it didn’t feel any more foreign than a tampon. My only worry at this point was getting it out (especially after knowing Zoe had some trouble).
When I woke up in the morning I was ready to see what the situation was and when I tried to pull on the little plastic bit to get him out it was like pulling a bag of sand with a headphone jack, absolutely not happening. This is because part of the cup’s deal is that it works with suction and you need to break the seal for it to come out easily. I had a small panic and took the advice so many left in Zoe’s YT comments which was to stand in the bath and ‘bear down’ LOL. The cup came a little further south and I was able to grab the base and pinch it leading old’ cup to pop right out. This then became my way going forward, and although it’s good to feel the little plastic pull so you know where the cup is, I always reach for the base of the cup to remove.
As previously mentioned I was now excited to see how the cup held up in my heavier days and I have to say it was fantastic. absolutely no leakage, left it in for hours at a time and the cup was never overflowing. I’m annoyed it’s taken me so long to try a period cup and I’m so pleased that all I have to bring with me when I’m travelling is the cup, it’s also discreet enough to have in your handbag so I’ll never be caught short again. This is probably TMI but here we are, my favourite thing about the cup is not having to worry about changing my tampon when using the toilet for OtHeR things. My stomach basically explodes during my time of the month which is super fun, and now I don’t have to worry about pulling out a dry tampon.
If you’re thinking about trying a cup DO IT. It might not work for everyone but it’s so worth trying!
Zoe…
I wanted to start my review with a stat that I saw on the BetterCup instagram page which had me SHOOK. ‘On average, each person will dispose of 11,000 tampons and pads in their lifetime”, that is a LOT of landfill and waste and that statistic alone made me excited to give the cup a go! Much like Lareese and Danielle, I’d heard about menstrual cups, but I just ignorantly thought I’d never get on with them so never tried.
I was actually first introduced to a menstrual cup back in 2012 when I worked for a charity trust. They had one in the toilets with a poster behind it listing all the environmental benefits, but it just looked absolutely terrifying. Fast forward 8 years and I’m sitting on the toilet, folding the better cup in my hands and squeezing it in. I didn’t really know what to expect with a menstrual cup but had a lot of fun researching different cups, different insertion folds and watching others reviews online before trying myself. I’m a tampon girl, always have been, so inserting the cup wasn’t alien to me, in fact, I’d say I pretty much nailed it… or nailed myself if you like. If you are a pad wearer and aren’t as used to anything being inserted, it might take you a little longer to perfect this stage, but I’ve heard that’s quite normal and that it’s something you get used to the more you do it. So the cup is in and I go about my day.
I’m already absolutely loving it. Cups can be left in for 10-12 hours depending on how heavy your flow is and the joy of feeling like I could go about my day until that evening when I’d be going to bed, was PURE HEAVEN. I didn’t feel the cup once it was in there either and I’d almost go as far as to say I almost forgot I was on my period.
My cup seemed to have completely disappeared into the abyss that is apparently my vaginal canal.
Moving swiftly into the evening, it was time to empty the cup, give it a rinse and pop it back in. Here is where I had trouble. My cup seemed to have completely disappeared into the abyss that is apparently my vaginal canal. I pushed down (hard), I got into every position imaginable, I pretty much fisted myself trying to grab the cup. I could just about reach the tip of the stem with the tips of my fingernails but as the cup is kept in with the help of a vacuum, in order to release it you must first break that vacuum seal, so pulling down on the stem doesn’t actually help in any way. It felt like my insides were being sucked on. After hours of trying, I eventually had to ask my boyfriend to help me for fear of having to make an appointment with my GP. After an hour of awkward poses, being naked from the waist down with the “big light” on and a lot of laughing so hard we were crying, it flew out across the bathroom. We sighed in relief at the sight of the safe arrival.
Day two, I didn’t even consider not trying again, I was not going to be defeated. I found it easy to insert again, didn’t feel it all day and, despite last nights issue, I was a cup convert! I felt like my life had changed for the better (or the BetterCup, excuse the pun). Evening rolled around, 12 hours was up and it was time to give removing it another go. I had a really good feeling about it too! Fingers reach in and…where’s the cup? It had disappeared again. SO high up I could barely touch it. Long story short, I tried removing the cup at 10.30pm and eventually it was removed (by my boyfriend again) at 2.15am. Hours and hours of watching every YouTube video about cup removal, googling “my cup is stuck” and reading every search result. This time there was less laughing and more panic. I really didn’t want to have to ask my doctor to remove it for me. I also felt so defeated and sad. I loved it so much but realised in this moment that trying it for a third time would probably not be the best idea.
I wanted more than anything to master the “pinch the base of the cup” technique and wiggle it out, but I just couldn’t get that far up. After much googling, I found a lot of people had mentioned that the length of your cervix can really alter the size or length of the cup you should use and that it’s good to measure it and find out. I also noticed that some cups can suction themselves to your cervix, so I’m thinking one of those two things probably happened with me due to the nature of how I’m built down there.
I found it very easy to insert, comfortable to wear, no leaking, can wear it all day, lasts 10 years, better for the environment. Zoe
I’m definitely going to try a few suggested “longer” cups and see if I can make those work for me, but I do feel sad that BetterCup clearly felt too cosy in there and didn’t want to come out. I don’t think my experience should put you off trying, however (it certainly won’t put me off trying again). I found it very easy to insert, comfortable to wear, no leaking, can wear it all day, lasts 10 years, better for the environment.
There are certainly more positives with my experience than negatives, but my one negative sadly prevents me from easily removing it, which is kind of a vital part in the process haha! The menstrual cup will not defeat me and as no two vaginas are the same, it’s about finding something that will work for me and my apparently cavernous cave of wonder.
Darcey…
Let me start this off with the fact that I was very, very anti-tampons, so I became a sanitary towel kinda gal and have been for years. I have always found tampons really uncomfortable, even if I shove them as far as they can possibly go, I would feel it still or it would just make it’s way back down until he was basically poking out. I hated the dryness too of pulling a tampon out on a lighter period, which I had when I was taking the contreceptive pill. So, when I came off the pill in January my periods became more regular and heavier, lasting 4-5 days with my second and third day being the heaviest. So I was after something a bit more sturdier than a sanitary towel to accompany my new flow.
So when the team discussed trialling out a cup, I was intrigued, but also certain I wouldn’t get along with it. I mean firstly, it is bloody massive at first glance. I know vaginas are made to push out a child, but the cup can be intimidating that’s for sure. I also thought if I don’t get along with tampons, will I really get along with a cup? I was unsure but I wanted to give it a go! So the first day of my period arrived and I got my cup ready, sterilised and ready to be inserted. I had to hype myself up at the fear it was going to be impossible to get in, but to my surprise it quite literally slipped up there no problem. I’m not sure how or why I had the technique down so quick, but I couldn’t believe how easy it was!
First time wearing the cup I only left it in for four hours and set a timer to remind me to go in there and check he hadn’t made his way up to my cervix (especially after Zoe’s cup experience!). Four hours passed and my timer buzzed, when I realised I had completely forgotten it was up there! I could not feel a thing. Taking the cup out first time was fairly easy too, but I was lucky that I was the last out of all of us to trial him out, so I had all the tips and tricks passed to me! I think with the cup is you have to be comfortable with just shoving your fingers up there, no messing around, to break the suction and pull it out.
I then wore the cup to bed that evening and probably had it in for around 10-11 hours, I did find after a long wear the cup did travel slightly up, but not out of reach. I found using my pelvic muscles (I think that’s the right name ha) and pushing down made the cup go lower, to the point where I could just grab it and break the suction. Removal is fairly painless, but I do find sometimes the cup folds when I’m removing it, then reopens when it’s nearly out, basically stretching out my vagina at rapid speed which can be uncomfortable haha! But other than that, which I think is something you get better at with practice, removal and inserting has been fairly straightforward for me.
All in all, I am fully converted. the cup is so convenient, I have no fear of leaking and it is so comfortable to wear. It’s great because you can just leave it in alllll day stress free, no faffing around changing it mid-day because you are off somewhere and need a fresh pad or tampon in. I haven’t tried cleaning out the cup in a public toilet yet, but I think that will be stress free too as you simply just have to wipe it clean until you have the privacy to rinse it in a sink.
If you are thinking about trying a cup, I would definitely recommend it! The cup has honestly changed my period experience for the better and I can’t see myself ever going back. Also, it lasts TEN years!! Think about all the money you will save not spending a fiver a month on pads or tampons, which lack in effectiveness at the best of times combatting leaks etc. The cup is worth a shot, it may or may not work for you, but if it works it’s going to be a real game changer!
