You Say You Want A Revolution - the ‘Trump / Brexit’ era.

 

 
      Let’s face it - a lot of millennials are angry; fucking fuming, in fact. We feel we’ve had our futures controlled by an ageing population who won’t live to see the full extent of the damage they are causing. So when I went to the Records and Rebels exhibit at the V&A (which has super annoyingly just ended), I couldn’t help but wonder (sorry, I had to have my little Carrie Bradshaw moment!) how we can bring the lessons of social activism from the 60s and 70s into modern life.

 

Firstly, we can still protest! Yeah, OK, maybe we live in a modern society where there is a major emphasis on work and career paths that people cared less about in the 60s, and there’s not the prominent free love drug culture, but we still have weekends and we can use those to join local protests. We don’t necessarily have to live in hippie communes to show how much we care. 

Culturally, the 60s was defined by its politically-charged music, and in this day and age we can still use music (or the lack of!) as a form of protest. The inauguration of President Trump, for example, was notable for the amount of artists who chose not to perform, an act of political defiance that could heavily influence their fans. Closer to home, Lily Allen singing at the Jo Cox memorial was also significant in terms of a politically conscious artist engaging with the current societal climate.

We also have a huge trick up our sleeves that was not afforded to those in the counterculture of the 1960s: social media. Hey, if Trump can use Twitter to spread his hate, then the counterattack can be mounted on the very same platform. Some may say that a counterculture doesn’t and cannot exist in society as it is set up now, but I feel that it does - we just need to change how we define it and modernise it.

Use whatever influence you have - unlike the 60s there aren’t likely to be pockets of people living in communes with those who think as they do. The modern world is extremely fragmented, and it’s up to you to try to activate those you’re around and preach what you believe in!

The most important aspect of 60s activism that I feel we need to learn from, however, is that of caring passionately for both the local environment and the larger political backdrop it is set against. I do feel like our generation have historically been a lot more apathetic, so it’s time to change that and rise up! I think this is the perfect opportunity to show the older generations what we’re made of, and how much we actually care about our future. If we fail to do that then the outcome will be the same as how Donald Trump seems to end most of his tweets. Sad!

 

Essential Records and Rebels listening:

1. Buffalo Springfield  - For What It’s Worth

2. The Beatles - Revolution

3. Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come

4. Bob Dylan - Masters of War

5. The Turtles - Eve of Destruction

Continue Reading..

A Conversation with my 18 Year Old Self

                    So I thought it would be super fun to write an imaginary dialogue between me now and me when I was 18! I’d be super curious what any of you would say to your 18 year old self? How would you compare who you were then we who you are now? What would 18 year old you think of you now?? Are you where you thought you'd be in life?

 

 

18 Year Old Me: Oh my actual days – you’re 27 this year. SO. DAMN. OLD … you’re married by now right? No?? Engaged at least.. what, not even that? Jeez. Did you boss university?? Do you have a super high paid job?

26 Year Old Me: Hahahahaha. No. No to all of the above. But that’s ok. You’ll go through some miserable times between 18 and 26 but you’ll learn a lot. You don’t feel the need to post twatty statuses on Facebook any more – you know the sort ‘Buzzzzzingggg for tonighttttttt’ ugh. Why. Just why. So yeah, a lot more responsible on social media these days. The good news is you have a nice man, rent a lovely house and have a good job. It wasn’t the easiest ride but you made it.

18 Year Old Me: Ok, but do you have the same friends?? Please tell me you have the same amazing music taste.. Do you still love festivals???

26 Year Old Me: Mostly yes to all of this. A couple of friends have dropped off along the way but essentially the same amazing inner circle! Yes, you still love festivals – at least one a year! Similar music taste – not as much spare time to listen to music sadly!

18 Year Old Me: Do you feel like a proper adult yet?

26 Year Old Me: Honestly?? Not really. But I think in the next couple of years… You might buy a house this year by the way.. GULP!

18 Year Old Me: NO WAY. How? Actually, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know.. is it legal??

26 Year Old Me: Yes, yes it is! Also, try not to worry so much. You’ll hit your milestones when you hit them. You’re way too young to worry as much as you are! Focus on having fun – it won’t last forever.

I’m trying to think what 18 year old me would think of the woman I’ve become. I hope she’d be proud. I hope she’d be happy with how much I’ve learnt! And the learning curve is still going.. J  

Continue Reading..

Writing a Blog - Expectation vs Reality

              So I recently hit 10,000 hits in a month (Woo go team #rachelrelates) I’m so hugely grateful for everyone who has clicked on and hopefully got something from what I’ve written. Writing regularly has certainly been a journey so I thought I’d share a couple of things I’ve learnt along the way..

Expectation: You will feel constantly inspired and will want to write every minute of every day.

Reality: Ha. Just Ha. No. But I have learnt when i’m generally more creative (i.e. the time of day) and how I work best which is great. I may have posted pretty regularly in the last month but my creative well is definitely not drying up yet! I’ve learnt to work writing into my daily/weekly life and organised my time around this (see my blog on the creative process helping your 9-5).

Expectation: People will come to your website in flocks the second it goes live.

Reality. No. It takes work, lots of work. But it’s also an incredible experience watching more and more people gradually following your blog posts. I’ve also found it really important to learn from my audience and create more of what they want. I’ve also (I hope learnt a little something about marketing content on social media too. (although I do have a wonderful friend who helps me with that too). 

Expectation: It will feel nothing like an actual job and you will always love it.

Reality. Naaah. I’ve had meetings, made lists, been stressed and worried about what I’m doing - Just. But the outcome is more than worth it! It feels like a job just the best job in the world and the more I can do of it the better!

Expectation: People will love what you’re doing and all feedback will be great.

Reality: Definitely not.. but all criticism is constructive and it’s always important to remember you can’t ever please everyone. 

Expectation: Your blog is yours and only yours.

Reality: Nopes. I already have a mini team of people working with me which is amazing and they keep me on track and support the actual writing which is my speciality. On top of this my friends, family and anyone in my audience are all a huge part of the process and keep me focused on what i’m doing. I don’t write for myself I write to give people a little break from their day and a hopefully some writing they can relate to and gives them a spring in their step. Obviously it’s a personal creative process too and it’s a great release of what’s in my brain but that’s the not the most important bit of what I’m doing. 

Having said all of the above I wouldn’t change a second of the process so far! If i could do the last month all over again I would in a heartbeat :). Anyone who is considering writing a blog but not sure I cannot encourage you enough to give it a whirl! 

Please keep liking, clicking following, sharing and letting me know more of what you want from our little corner of the Internet! 

Continue Reading..

The Anti-Valentines Post

          We’ve all been single on Valentines Day.. it can be shite. You’re surrounded by loved up couples who all seem perfect and happy (they’re not but that’s for another post..) I thought i’d write a little bit about making V Day as a happily single person work for you. 

Make sure you make plans - it’ll feel worse to wallow sitting in by yourself a la Bridget Jones. Do Galentines Day - have the best night with your single girlfriends - get the prosecco and chocolates in. Watch the trashiest movie you can find (I’m talking 50 shades) and have fun! 

Make it a day to celebrate yourself - you can have the most fun of your life being single, not answering to anyone and being able to do whatever you want without letting someone know where you are. Being ‘single’ aka not chained to anyone is a perfectly equal and valid life choice to anyone else’s. 

Some advice for those who do have someone special - no one needs to see all the #boydonegood posts all over social media - really no one.. I do also subscribe to the idea that you should show people you care about that you care every day not just on one allotted day. We all know the commercial/rip off side of V day as well.. an aspect of it is for sure a capitalist plot. 

Important to remember - it’s only one day! Why should you feel crappy about your life choices on one day a year when you’re perfectly happy being single every other day of the year. Another benefit of it only being one day - it’s over before you know it :) and who knows - if the stars align and you think it’s what you want you may be being spoilt by your very own Mr Right - but if you choose to be single next year then that’s a choice that society will just have to deal with too. 

Hey - if all of the above fails then at least it’s a Tuesday - it’s been a weekend the last few years which is way worse… no one likes a whole weekend of feeling rubbish.

So grab a box set and your bestie and have the best time! 

Continue Reading..

Your Career in Your Hands

              Something that really pisses me off is the outlook our generation are all taught to believe from school to college, through to university and beyond, that we should be grateful for any job offer we get regardless of if we want the job, will be happy in the job or if it will help us to land the career we eventually want. Also, no one really tells you that you are in any way in control of your job and career trajectory - I mean, sure, sometimes there’s career advice but it’s mainly grounded in what’s realistic, not what you really want to do. Crucially, your personality, likes and dislikes and talents are rarely taken into account. Of course you’ve got those people who know they want to be a doctor or a lawyer or whatever, and that’s great. But for most people it’s not as clear cut - those are the people I’ll be addressing in this post.

At the end of the day the only person who is in control of your day-to-day working life and has to live with the career decisions you make is yourself. Your parents, friends and tutors etc can advise you along the way but they will not be the ones who have to get up every day and go to your job. They’re not the people who will have to face the daily grind of a job they don’t like, day in and day out.

There’s also very much a sense that your fate and future is in the hands of the company you work for, but actually again you can regain control over this and speak to your boss about changing your current role to fit in with what will make you happier or to discuss a different role in the company.

My mother gave me some great advice about job interviews (no, not imagining everybody on the panel naked), which is that as much as they’re interviewing you for suitability, you’re interviewing them, too! You have a RIGHT to be happy and fulfilled at work and if you don’t think you’ll get that from a job you’re interviewing for - move onto the next one. I know it can seem like there won’t be another one but there will be. What’s the harm in waiting for another few weeks versus being miserable in a job for months or even years! Believe me it’s much easier to stay in an awful job for way longer than you meant to than you would think!


So my best advice is this: 1) take time to decide what will truly make you happy and 2) work towards that independently whilst in your current job (gotta pay them bills, yo). It may even be possible to find a way to work what you really want to do into your current job role! You never know it could be much more achievable than you would imagine! Companies are often looking to expand or recruit internally and they could be looking for someone to do exactly what you have in mind!

In summary the crucial part of this is be proactive in your career and your job, rather than remaining passive and unhappy. You’re not a bystander, it’s your life, your job and - most importantly - your happiness.

Continue Reading..

How to Beat the Sunday Night Dread

              That gut wrenching feeling on a Sunday at around 9pm will be familiar to a lot of us. It’s often a hangover from school days - I personally used to drive past my school every Sunday evening so I attribute some of my personal Sunday evening demons to that particular unwanted ritual!

I thought I’d share some tips and ideas to feel a bit brighter on a Sunday evening and ensure that you look forward to the week ahead.

1) Do something nice for yourself. Watch a trashy film or your favourite old TV show, grab a treat from the fridge - something comforting!

2) Do something that relaxes you. This could be anything from lighting a candle to reading or a long, hot bubble bath.

3) Plan for the future - If your job is making you miserable then remember to rationalise that you are in control of your career, and that you won’t have to be there your whole life. Try to map out where you want your career to take you based on what you feel your strongest talents to be and what you love to do.

4) Organise the coming week and think about what you might be able to achieve - write this down in a planner or diary. This will give you some perspective and make the next 5 days seem a little less scary. Why not put in something to look forward to on Monday? This could be dinner with a friend or going for a swim - whatever you like to do!

5) Think about fun things you’ll do next weekend - If you are living and working for the weekend then think about the next couple of weekends and what you might get up to. If you do have fun plans try to focus on those; if you don’t, appreciate the opportunity for free time and relaxation - it won’t last forever!

6) Try and figure out if the fact you’re feeling low is just a feeling that is ingrained in you from childhood or if it might be a symptom of something more significant in your life which needs changing. For example, what are you dreading - just getting up early? Could you perhaps speak to your boss and see if it’s an option to come in an hour later?


Remember you exist outside of your daily 9-5 - you are creative, wise, unique and wonderful!

Continue Reading..

Wild Women Part 2 : How to Make Money From What you Love

                                The next blog on women who have inspired me is specifically based around boss women who have turned their creative passion into their business. To me, they still come under the ‘Wild Women’ category because they’ve gone off the beaten track of ‘normal jobs’ and done what they love.

Annie Mac

My favourite thing about this woman is her dedication to and passion for dance music. She’s combined this with starting a hugely successful brand (Annie Mac Presents or AMP) from scratch. They host incredible nights and produce a compilation CD every year as well hosting a whole festival themselves! I’ve seen her DJ a few times and she is always the consummate professional – even when she’s being heckled directly in front of the DJ booth at a tiny club in Brighton. When you hear Annie talk about music and clubbing culture it’s obvious that’s she does what she does for the pure euphoria of that perfect night out when there’s an amazing sense of community and belonging, everyone has an incredible time and the vibe is electric.

Jo Malone

I was lucky enough to hear the perfume guru Jo speak at Stylist Live last October (FYI anyone who can go to Stylist Live totally should – a whole room full of inspiring ass kicking boss women – it’s amazing) and her passion for smells just leapt off the stage. She spoke about how she has synesthesia (the very rare condition where every smell is heightened) and it really occurred to me that the secret to her success was using her biggest strength and building her career around it. I think too often people try and force themselves into a career that someone else wants for them or that they have stumbled into, so Jo’s way round really inspired me.

So there we have it – a couple of butt kicking women who have developed what they truly love into hugely successful and much loved businesses.

Continue Reading..

It's Ok Not to Feel Ok

        So I was planning for my next post to be Wild Women Part 2 (don't worry that's coming soon)– but then something happened that I wanted to talk about..

 

I had a bad day. Not a two or three things go wrong and you feel shit for 5 minutes bad day, a I didn’t want to speak to anyone, everything felt on top of me, sobbing all evening bad day. And I realised something… that it was ok, I survived. Everyone has days like that, no one is perfect, no one has an ideal life.

I was furious with myself that I let stuff get on top of me and I wasn’t doing everything ‘perfectly’. I perceived that because I’d made a mistake and then let my anxiety about that control me that I’d failed somehow. I’ve never been the best at putting things into perspective and this experience was no different. But a day is just that – a day. There’s always another day, another chance to learn from your mistakes (however annoying and or painful that might be).

I was meant to swim – I didn’t. I was meant to write – I didn’t. And that’s ok, as long as I don’t give up on those things forever and I try again tomorrow.

What I did however was soak up the massive love and support which is around me. Within minutes people who care about me deeply had listened and more importantly brought me yummy desert…

I’m very lucky - people rallied round me like troopers – and that’s for life, not just a day.

Continue Reading..