Making new friends seems to get more difficult as you get older. Especially if you’re working from home all the time. But this dinner party idea at the top of this week’s 🔥 hot links 🔥 is a simple way to welcome 3-4 new people to your friend group. I’m 100% trying this one.
Also in this episode of Adultish, ideas for big summer salads and an 8-and-a-half minute video on the architectural details of Barbie’s dreamhouse (because of course). Yours in growing up, Team Adultish
P.s. Help us make new friends: forward this email or send the View In Browser link at the top to someone who you think will love us ☝️ |
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Phie is the Founder of Creative Ally — an agency for purpose-driven social media creators using their platforms to create a positive societal change.
As a result of being online a lot, she consciously tries to ground herself in the real world: whether that’s seeing bands and DJs perform live, enjoying London’s queer nightlife or visiting the beaches on the Welsh coast where she grew up. Here, we chat about switching off, handling burnout and tips for those of you who want to build a career as a professional online creator. Keep up with Phie and Creative Ally on IG. |
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How have you got your sh*t together recently?
Figuring out what components in life — work, social, exercise, travel, culture, food, creativity, new experiences, conversation — that I need to feel content, and maintaining their levels so as not to dip into overworking, or tiredness, or feeling sluggish and unhealthy. It’s easy for work to often tip the balance so having a ‘starter-pack’ style list of what you need in life can be a good foundational guide. Name three life skills you wish you were taught in school 🧾 Personal and business finance, including PAYE, VAT & expenses 🔧 Basic DIY and repair skills
🏡 General household maintenance skills, like where to find the stopcock (only found out what one was about 2 years ago) and how often you need to be replacing the boiler/windows etc What's the most useful thing you've bought under £20 in the last year?
A quilted laptop cover from Damson Madder on sale. It's the soft kind of case that fits your laptop, keyboard, mouse and all the other chargers and wires you need. |
How did you get into what you do now?
I managed to land a job at a music and style title, Notion magazine, and made my way up to becoming the magazine’s Editor. I then moved to a big agency that specialises in working with social media creators as their Head of Brand and Communications.
When the pandemic hit, social media began to shift rapidly and wider UK society started to understand and value social creators as a trusted source of entertainment and education rather than just 'vloggers'. I love the democratisation of social and what it does to uplift the voices of people we may not hear in mainstream discussions.
After freelancing as a digital strategist, I launched Creative Ally in late 2022. Now, we manage 3 incredible and influential game-changing creators — Lydia Bolton, Zoe Mallett, The Tech Cornr — and work with a lot more.
When did you know it was the right time to start your own business?
I've always wanted to run my own business, even from a young age, mainly because I could always see a better, more compassionate way of doing things. A lack of confidence in my twenties and a fear of failure kept me stalling. When you're from a working-class background, you don't have as many role models or examples to follow, and it's a bigger leap than for those who have financial support to fall back on.
Eventually, it got to the point where it was 'now or never', and I can honestly say, I have not looked back since. What are 4 tips you'd give to someone who wants to build a career as a professional social creator?
#1: Channel your passions and do it in your way. Everyone says authenticity is key — and it's true. It's obvious when people are passionate about a particular topic, or do things because they enjoy it, so even if the viewer doesn't share the same love for it, it's still immediately engaging
#2: Don't try to be the next 'X' creator. Look to people who have gained success as a guide to what is possible, but don't try and become a carbon copy. Social media is forever changing and you may find your path going down new exploratory pathways which are more closely aligned to who you are and potentially more exciting.
#3: Stay niche and stay consistent. Find your groove on social and keep at it. Social media is a saturated space so consistency is everything. It's how people come to recognise you, it's how you become the go-to person for that type of content. Build on this before diversifying your content — you're more likely to convert your audience to new brand pillars if they are invested in your previous work. #4: Involve your community — following is nothing without community. Your audience is not only a potential consistent revenue source but can help you shape your content by giving valuable feedback and being the biggest promoter of your work. |
What do you do to switch off? Cooking, with my favourite tunes on or heading to a rhythm based spin class. Lauren at Rumble is the best instructor. What’s something that makes you feel creative?
My top tip is getting lost in an exhibition, a gig, a documentary, or nature. But also getting out of my usual space/routine and exploring a different setting is helpful. Even if it's taking myself to my local cafe to work or changing up my weekend routine, this immediately helps me to feel more connected with myself and my own creativity. Tips for handling burnout? Woweeee, unfortunately, I am the burnout queen. When you're hardworking and ambitious, it's too easily done and it's a long recovery to feeling better —much longer than you think.
My first tip is to recognise the warning signals your body is giving you while on the way to burn out - like if you're constantly tired, feeling antisocial when you're usually a social butterfly, feeling snappy, or zapped of energy.
Next, assess what your working day has looked like over the past few weeks — have you made space for rest or inspiration or creativity or hearing new perspectives? To make the best work you can, you need to actually carve out time for things that bring you proper joy, otherwise you're not feeding your brain with all the lovely stuff that keeps the ideas flowing.
Lastly, vocalise what you're feeling and what you might need in order to recuperate. It could be asking your manager to help you delegate some work, sharing a text in the group chat that says you're not feeling up for busy social engagements for the time being, or asking your partner to pick up some extra chores/responsibilities. |
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TWEET OF THE WEEK (should we be changing this to THREAD OF THE WEEK?!) |
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