In the past month, I have:
✨ Hosted a 3-day global summit for
@Unilever
at their HQ in London
✨ Moderated a live event & panel at the
@UN
in New York
✨ Hosted a women in business conference in Louisville, Kentucky
When it comes to live events, ENERGY is everything.
(cont)
My 92-year old grandmother went to
#NottingHillCarnival
over the weekend & danced to the floor with strangers in the rain. May this be a lesson to us all, that you are as old you feel. Just *look* at the joy in her lovely face.
Say what you like about TikTok, but my family owns the Notting Hill Bookshop (yes, the one from the film) and the surge in young people buying books in the last year because of booktok has been wonderful to see. It's making reading cool again & I will always love the app for that
So I guess, as the kids say, I have some news...
My husband & I eloped in New York a few weeks ago💍
10/10 would recommended getting married in secret, it was very fun.
Never thought I'd be seeing out this year married, having been single 4 months ago, but here we are 🫶
2018 goals: let's all stop taking nonsense health and diet advice from non-qualified, Lulu Lemon wearing social media stars drinking £10 green juices. We NEED to stop this culture of demonising food groups, chocolate is not coming after you, calm the fuck down.
Here’s a fun fact: my family owns this bookshop (yes, the one from the film) & they get hundreds of people proposing in it every year 💍 I may be biased but it’s a great bookshop - you should all go & support independents 🙌🏻
@NottingHillBook
I’m sorry but this is absurd... Pushing a back to work message whilst gatherings of more than 6 now illegal. It’s obviously not safe to be sending people back to offices for the sake of saving Greggs.
Here’s a pro tip for you: when a man says his ex-girlfriend was “a bit of a psycho”, 9/10 it’s because HE treated her badly & made her act that way. The people with “psycho” exes are, in fact, the red flags themselves.
Omg the company who were 3 MONTHS overdue paying me just emailed me asking me not to tweet at them asking about the payment. What a world we’re living in where I have to protect their feelings over my right to the money I’m rightfully owed 🤔
Can I just say, for the record, that I've been a journalist & editor 7 years & I've never once felt annoyed by a PR saying 'hope you're well'
This is industry is built on collaboration & helping each other.
Never be afraid of being nice.
I’m so done with freelancers being treated like s***. I chased a company for 4 MONTHS for a £250 invoice. It’s not amount the money, it’s about how they treat the people they choose to work with. I’m done with being timid & bullied by “big” companies with terrible admin.
What childhood food do you crave, that you wish was more socially acceptable to eat as an adult? I still buy Petit Filous in my weekly Ocado order, and I’m 28.
Here’s 10 things I wish someone had told me about being an entrepreneur. Share if they are useful to you:
1. If you’re able to, pay people before the 30 days is due. It’s just a really nice thing to do. Money = respect. If your cash flow allows, pay before ahead of time.
The older I get, the more I realise that your dream career doesn’t *exist*, you have to create it. And luck, too, you have to make your own version of that. Basically you have to work for yourself & hustle for your yourself & back yourself.
At the start of lockdown, I created a What's App group for people self-isolating alone. There's around 35 of us - total strangers from the internet - and we've shared our highs & lows over the 3 months & I can honestly say it's one of the best things to come out of Covid for me.
Told my mum I'd been nominated for Editor of the Year, alongside the Editor of Vogue & she says she's buying me chicken soup from Golders Green & some Roni's bagels to celebrate. That's the kind of grounding energy I need tbh.
I get asked a lot about PR pitching and the best way to sell your story into magazines. So, here’s 10 tips I can share on the PR pitch, share if it’s useful to you! A thread:
One of the biggest learnings I've had about being single is that if we constantly wait for our 'person' to do something, we risk not experiencing life to the fullest & like life is on hold.
Yes I'm taking myself for a romantic solo break to Santorini next week, why not.
I know it sounds mad, but I actually think this Christmas so far has been worse than last year. At least last year the choices were taken away from us... This situation is so exhausting, constantly weighing up whether or not to do something, cancel things, even leave the house.
A little note from my granny. Thanks for all your kind words guys, I read them all out to her & treated her to a
@Pret
hot chocolate after her
@itvnews
interview 💔
If you’re having a tough day as a PR or thinking that journalists don’t appreciate your work, we do. I genuienly wouldn’t have a career or a publication without the work you do & we are very grateful 💙
My dad passed away on Saturday very suddenly after a short & unexpected illness. We got to be by his side, which was something. Thinking of all the families that didn’t get to say goodbye in person today x
One of the things that irks me about being in a relationship is how dinner is ~ a thing. Sitting down together, a proper meal. When I was single, I would happily munch 3 bowls of Crunchy Nut for dinner... my bad is out tonight & I’m treating myself to toast for dinner like a king
You know what? Life opens up when you stop seeing other people's successes as a threat.
Someone in your industry smashing it? Celebrate them.
A competitor's written a best-selling book? Buy it.
There's enough space for everyone to win. Be here to contribute, not compete.
Can I just say this now, on behalf on all journalists everywhere, that NOBODY is into Dry January or Veganuary this year, so stop trying to make it a thing. This year has been depressing enough, now is not the time to turn our backs on wine and cheese.
I’m realising recently that so much of life is about showing up. For friends, for your family, to events, to opportunity. There is nothing more importantly in life that just *being* there - in the present, open & ready to listen. We all need someone to show up.
I promise, after this, no more big life news…
In today’s edition of our life is a Netflix rom-com: Josh & I are delighted to share that we’re expecting a little addition to our family next June. Roll on summer ‘23🤰🏻
Sometimes, if I’m having a really unproductive day, I’ll write “eat lunch” on my to-do list just so I feel like I’ve achieved something. Does anyone else back-date their to-do lists to make themselves feel better? 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
No-one tells you how exhausting having a portfolio career is; juggling so many things at once, always wearing different hats, and sometimes you get caught wearing a sombrero when you were meant to be in a panama. I’m tired.
PSA: don’t ask a girl about her weight. I’ve lost a bit of weight recently because of ~ stuff ~ & honestly have been so taken aback by people’s comments, almost annoyed at me? We need to stop conflating thinness with success & happiness - maybe ask how they are next time 🙋🏻♀️
"For the first time, in a long time, as human beings, we are really seeing one another. Are we OK? We will be."
Only respect for Meghan Markle speaking up about her miscarriage. So many women are suffering in silence because they simply don't know how to vocalise their pain.
Anyone else finding this period in lockdown incredibly challenging?
I'm normally an upbeat & positive person, but I feel so low on energy & mood at the moment. I cannot get myself into a positive & productive headspace, no matter how many baths / runs / acts of self-care I do.
People glamourise being a female entrepreneur, "girl boss", big time, but most of the time, it just involves shouting at your laptop a lot / crying on the phone / forgetting to shower / lots of cheese toasties.
Ugh to all the men sending me private messages this morning about it being inappropriate and “gross” to mention periods online (the shock 😳), who BIRTHED you?? Show women some respect ✊
Just fondly remember how during the first lockdown, my brother rang my mum & she asked how I was - he said "Moody, she's got the painters in" and my poor Jewish mother rang me 2 minutes later screaming ANGELICA YOU CAN'T HAVE PAINTERS INSIDE YOUR FLAT IT'S COVID
My mum just texted me saying “I’ve licked myself out” & it took me a slow, horrible few minutes to realise she meant “locked”. How’s your Monday going? 😂😂😂
I've spent the last 7 months moaning about how expensive living in NYC is...
Come back to London and y'all are paying £4.20 for a latte in Gail's these days?! This country has gone wild.
Had a massive cry on the Thameslink home about *everything* tonight. The uncertainty, the loss of hope, the feeling like everything changes week to week. It's a lot. And going through it solo is also a lot. If you're feeling burnt out & end-of-tethery too, you're not alone.
Something I’ve learnt from coaching today is that we do all need a cheerleader in life. Whether it’s a partner, a colleague, a friend, a mentor, a coach. You need someone who just believes in you 100% and picks you up when you’re down. Find your cheerleader.
This
@NatGeoUK
got me thinking about my own identity - growing up the only Jew in a school of 700, fighting pre-conceptions about faith & how I have a stronger sense of self today because of it. Would love to know if anyone’s had a similar experience that’s shaped them
#idefineme
If I could offer a single piece of advice for anyone in their career, it's to start helping others more. With no agenda, no masterplan, just because. Be supportive, kind & encouraging to others - it makes the world a better place.
Just a little reminder that it's nice to support independent shops this time of year.
My family owns the Notting Hill Bookshop (yes, the one that inspired the film!) and would love to see you there for some festive book buying 📚
Bleugh I'm actually so bored of people being pitched as 'Forbes 30 under 30' entrepreneurs. Partly because I'm bitter than I'm not one (& my ex is).
But also why are we so obsessed with achieving at a young age? Would genuinely rather read about people smashing it in their 70s.
Overheard two guys on the tube talking about how they want to go freelance so they can “go for a nap” whenever they like. Dude, working for yourself means you work 100% harder because it’s all on you. Do what you love & you never do a day’s work? Do what you love & you never stop
Today made me realise something: I really would like to have more female friends who do their own thing / run companies / cry at their screens. If you're a gal in London trying to smash the patriarchy / chase your dreams, DM me for coffee!
I've spent a lot of time recently on Clubhouse listening to supposedly 8-figure entrepreneurs talk about 'mindset' & 'manifestation'.... and I have some thoughts
*clears throat*
I took a solo flight with the baby last night and MY LORD people were mean to me. I'm sorry if it's stressful for you that a baby is crying, imagine being ME... I was sweating trying to calm her down. One guy was like 'Don't worry, we paid extra to be next to the crying baby' 🙄
I genuinely think we’ll all turn round in 5 years time and be like: I can’t believe everyone cut out dairy and gluten for no reason. We’ll wake up to the fact that cutting out whole food groups is dangerous, and this instagram stars are spreading reckless, filtered witchcraft 😬
I wrote something very personal for
@MetroUK
on why when I was at my least happy, everyone said I looked my best. Would love to hear your thoughts on the piece:
@rosy_edwards
Last night, minutes into my keynote talk at our sold-out event, I got my period (unexpectedly). And I indulged myself for a minute to think how bizarre it is that women are thought of as the “weaker” sex. Because literally anything a man can do, a woman can do bleeding 😂
Last night, my best friend came over for dinner and we had an actual to-do list of things we needed to talk at length about. This is why women are the best.
This year I have: gone through a break-up, survived a solo lockdown, slipped a disk, had surgery for it, written a book & got a dog, all during a pandemic.
Reminding myself today that it's important to be kind & gentle with ourselves. It's always OK to have a tea & a nap.
Calling it now: influencer marketing isn’t going to be a thing in 10 years, because influencers ~ in the traditional, Instagram sense ~ won’t exist either. We all know Instagram is pulling us into a dark mental health pool filled with fitspo & comparison. The bubble will burst.
I’m doing Christmas alone this year & probably gonna have my 30th in tier 3 too. Realising that it’s ok to be sad about missing out on stuff, even when you know it’s the right thing. It’s v normal to feel lonely at the moment 😢
Some days I’m *so* done with being self-employed, all the invoice chasing & stress, then other days, I lie in, wander to my local bakery, grab a coffee, make breakfast with fresh challah & work with a hot water bottle & a candle burning, and think to myself “nah, you’re alright”
Feeling super stretched & overwhelmed at work at the moment, so my boyfriend has taken the day off to do an internship with my company & help me out. If that’s not love then I don’t know what is 💖
Pro tip: if you struggle to pause in your own life, go out without your phone on a Saturday night. My boyfriend & I walk & walk, without a plan, and end up in a restaurant randomly. It’s a nice way to reflect on the past week as you walk & teaches you to live in the moment.
Anyone else finding life really ~weird~ at the moment?
Like it's more normal than before, but still not quite.... normal.
Lingering threat of a virus hanging in the air. Clashes in opinion on the rules. I feel constantly on high alert.
I have news 🎉🎉🎉
My second book,
#Unattached
: Essays on Singlehood, is coming out 3rd February 2022 with
@SquarePegBooks
@vintagebooks
.
This book is very personal to me - it’s the work of 12 months, but also of a lifetime.
I think part of why Sarah Everard story is so shocking is we've had a year of lockdowns, where we haven't had to think about personal safety as much. I didn't realise what a relief it has been, staying inside your home, taking away the threat. Is this what men feel, all the time?
It was my dad’s funeral yesterday. I’m going to be posting a lot of work stuff today & trying to power on, but I just wanted to send you a gentle reminder that what you see online is a small sliver of someone’s actual life. Happy Valentine’s from my one & only ❤️
I am going on a press trip to Tuscany this weekend that was billed as a fitness retreat & honestly it’s the most Italian fitness retreat there ever was - typical schedule is an hour’s gentle yoga, followed by pasta-making class and dinner. I am so here for it.
Being freelance is really hard & exhausting at times, and I think people don't talk about that enough. I absolutely love it & wouldn't have it any other way, but being your own finance, HR, marketing department & everything else at the same time is *a lot*
The only thing I can tell you right now is to care about the things you can control. You can't control the pandemic. You can't control what your friends & family do. You can't control the news cycle.
But you can look after yourself, your wellbeing & your mental health. Do that.
I rarely say I’m proud of myself, but putting on a women’s festival of over 100 attendees with the backdrop of v. difficult news + trauma this week, I feel proud. Women’s spaces matter.
When I was little, I used to put Smarties in the microwave. They would melt in the middle & still be crunchy on the outside. It’s all I can think / want to eat today. Am I a psychopath?
I don't know who needs to hear this but....
If you're finding work tricky at the moment, DON'T GIVE UP.
It doesn't get easier, but you get stronger. Build up that resilience, know that good days and bad days will happen, stay committed to your goals. You're doing great.
I went for a 15-minute run this morning & three, yes three, gross men catcalled me from cars in separate occasions. The last one I gave the middle finger & he shouted “bitch” at me. I’m so sick of feeling unsafe going about everyday life, when will we learn a culture of respect?
Honestly can everyone shut up about January detoxes, I’ve eaten 4 cheese scones this week & I refused to be made to feel bad about it. Cashew cheese has nothing on proper Gruyere.