Time to give others a follow
Well, as we are midway through another week of lockdown or as some people are optimistically calling it now a ‘lock-in’, I hope everyone is doing okay and finding things to do to keep yourself occupied.
I am clearly writing this from the viewpoint of someone who is, for the time being, unemployed and does not have children at home to home school. I’m sure there are many others out there who don’t have enough hours in the day.
Honestly, it’s a daily struggle trying to not have your brain turn to mush but listening to music, reading and keeping in contact with people go a long way in that battle. The constant viewing of viral memes do not, although the level of things I now find funny has increased dramatically and I spent a good ten minutes laughing at a woman pretending her washing machine was an aeroplane window the other day. Wow, yes - what a time to be alive!
Amidst all of this I’m doing my best not to spend any money but, of course, I’ve been perusing the internet.
While I haven’t made any major purchases, aside from the fact that I now have to buy underwear online, I have been loving all the smaller, independent businesses out there who, as well as having great product, are also killing it on social media.
We may not be buying at the moment but they are certainly worth checking out now and supporting in the future.
One such small business is owned by my friend Caryn, a mum whose fertility struggle inspired her to create the Courageous Heart Journal which is a beautiful daily fertility journal. It’s a must for anyone going through their own fertility journey and as Caryn says she “wanted to give others who struggled like me not a way out, but a way through”.
Her Instagram account is also full of beautiful pictures and positive affirmations which we all need at this time.
Another Cork business I’m loving, for both beautiful items that make perfect gifts (for someone else or to self-gift, the choice is yours) and whose Instagram is a go to for anyone who likes to see wildlife art, country living and the odd chicken here and there, is The Wild Felter.
I actually went to art college with Molly and we had many a wild night out in our heyday so it’s particularly nice to see her smashing it when it comes to running a creative business.
I’m also checking in daily with the guys at Carbon Hair Design where stylist Andy Cronin is giving daily tips on how to manage your hair at home. I’m pretty pathetic when it comes to home styling my hair so I’ll take all the tips I can get. They’ll show you how to use different products, how to do a blow dry or talk you through how to do a fancy ponytail.
They are also on hand to answer any questions you might have and lord knows, I have been plaguing them. I’ve even threatened to cut a fringe into my hair but thankfully Andy managed to talk me out of that.
Another person I check in with daily on Instagram is @cathyflamingo, an interior designer whose own home is amazing and will give you all the mid-century aesthetic vibes. She has also done some amazing commercial work and her trips to California make me want to up sticks and move there immediately. If you’re using this time to redecorate then this account is definitely worth a gander and she also does really informative Instastories on topics such as colour schemes.
What accounts do you follow on Insta? Who do you check in daily with? Let me know @natashacrowley.