First issue of Affirmation

A guid on why balancing working and looking after yourself is important.

Getting back your sense of self.

Could your dream home a converted minivan?

Meet Anurin and Maya, who are living their dream! 24

Help from your Agony Aunt

Find out what your Agony Aunt has to say this month!

Could hairdressing be the career for you?

Swapping Desk Bound Jobs.

Try out this delicous meal that will leave you wanting more.

Let eveyone know that body hair is in, and it’s here to stay

Find out about Astro 11, the business created to tell you just that.

Is your destiney written in the stars?

Who is influening you?

Get to know the sustainbale influencers trying to chnage the fashion industry.

Fast Fashion and Resale

Uncovering the green washing, fast fashion companies are pushing at us.

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

Why what you put in you is important, not only for your health but your mind too.

EDITOR’S

We know that the passage of time is absolute. At times, it feels sluggish like when you are watching the clock, waiting for class to finish; or, it races and, suddenly, the best summer holiday you’ve ever had is behind you. Whatever the case, time moves inexorably. But what do you do with the limited time you are given to live your life? Now, more than ever, a cornucopia of opportunities presents itself to everyone on the cusp of adolescence. For young people, it is daunting to grapple with a barrage of decisions that would decide the course of our life. We are pressed to think long and hard about the career we want for ourselves and to pursue that diligently… so long as it conforms to societal conventions. However, life surely should not be lived in lieu of society’s expectations. As individuals, our experiences are unique from one another’s fuelled by the decisions and actions we take. We want to show you alternative lifestyles and kindred spirits who gave the middle finger to the status quo. In this issue, contributor, Fiona Vitija, writes about two lovebirds Maya and Nye who are travelling the

world in their minivan. I, along with my incredible team at Affirmation Mag, implore you – our readers – to firmly ground yourselves and breathe. Remember: it is absolutely alright to take your time in finding what you want to do and to look after yourself. To be a better friend and companion to yourwself. We hope that our maiden issue can be a proponent in improving your outlook on life.

EDITOR’Sletter

Meet us the contributors

Editor - Mia Aitken

Hey! I’m Mia Atken, the editor of Affirmation Magazine. I love anything fashion or fitness related. I believe that its important to live a possitive, healthy lifestyle and finding a balance between work and play. In my spare time i love to travel and expirence different cultures. One of my Bucket list destinations is Australia i would love to backpack out there and suba dive in the great barrier reef.

Production Editor - Evie Addams

Hello! I’m Evie Addams and I’m the Production Edior at Affirmation Magazine. I am a massive advocate for Fashion Sustainability. I have a big passion for all things health related (body, mind and Soul). I will be your monthly aggony aunt too! So feel free to message in to Affirmation for an abundance of help on anything you’re struggling on.

Design Director - Fiona Vitija

Hello Pumpkins! I’m the little art director here at Affirmation Magazine that keeps everything looking all cute and tidy for you all! I’m a massive activist sustainability, the envirment and making sure we look after ourselves as well as each other! I think its so important that we make space for growth and continue to spread love every day! I hope our magazine helps you on your journey no matter what journey it is.

Features Editor - Sahra Sancar

Hey, I’m half English (my mum) and half Turkish (my dad) and I’m 21 years old and I’m a Scorpio. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to work for a fashion magazine. This was after I became obsessed with the tv show Ugly Betty. I love music, reading, writing and fashion. My perfect day would consist of eating good food, discovering a new city, reading in the park, going to an art gallery and making good memories.

Working Hardly

Ready, Set, Flow

When asked, what is productivity?

Although, you can give a definition that states that productivity is the efficiency of production of goods or services expressed by some measure. This does not tell how to be efficient and what works for one may not work for another. Many people may come across as always being busy and constantly working but are they busy doing nothing, or working hard while hardly working?

After much social circulation there seems to be a routine that is desired as ‘most productive’ with claims that the billionaires of the world wake up at 5am and work while everyone else is sleeping. Now, there may be some truth behind this but Angel Mcmorine, 20, and owns her own online fitness coaching company believes “it is all about listening to your body you might wake up at 5am some days and do a full blown work out before your day has even started and the next you really can’t pull yourself out of bed, either one

can be just as productive as the other.” There are three main factors of how to get the most out of your productivity; flow, time management and goal setting.

Finding your Flow

First and for most you have to identify your flow.

There are three stages of flow, think of it as one swift plane journey, the first stage is when you have desired destination in mind, you’re just sat on the runway about to take off, it may feel like a chore as the final destination is daunting but some flow triggers may help you get up in the air, for example, read a related article or watch a video.

Once you’re set the second stage is when you are in the air, the plane is set to auto pilot and you are sipping on your desired beverage, enjoying the in-flight entertainment and eyeing up a sweet treat from the soon approaching troll of confectionaries. This is the best part of your flow, because you’re in the clouds, unaware of the world around you and not open to any distractions. The third stage, prepare for land-

ing. Whether this is a planned descend or you quickly have to landto refuel. It simply won’t be effective to carry on with not enough fuel in the tank to focus and produce your very best work. As your focus begins to lapse, you accept the urge whether you have completed the task or not,.

“It is important to listen to your hu- man needs in order to remain working hard instead of hardly working.”

Hard, or Working?

By Mia Atkins

Time Management

Be aware of how long tasks actually take you and factor those in when setting out your daily itinerary.

Be mindful of the two-minute rule, entrepreneur Steve Olenski recommends this as his key productivity tip: if there is a task that can be completed in two minutes or less, do it immediately. However, if this 2 minute task become apparent while you are in your flow I suggest you do not do it as immediately as suggested as a study shows that once your flow is interrupted it takes approximately 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back into your flow, that accumulates to a lot of time and won’t get much of the hard work achieved.

Focusing on your strengths, Pareto’s Principle which says 80 percent of results flow from 20 percent of causes, meaning you can achieve much with less effort, time and resources, simply by concentrating on the all-important 20 percent. “You do not need a degree to become knowledgeable on a subject, the best way to get good at something is

to practice.” Says Harrison Doyle, 24, the entrepreneur behind the marketing company, Tiger Co. A company focusing on content creation on land, sea and air for companies such as Sunseeker. He said “I never believed in the typical education system, I remember working on my company while being sat in my georgraphy A-level class.”

Goal Setting Goal Setting; a term that tends to come into everyones vocabulary at the start of every year, you set goals for the year and often never revisit them and 9 times out of 10 will not get achieved. The trick to goal setting is to create a plan to get to those targets. You can do this by focusing on the making your targets SMART.

Specific, clearly define the goal.

Measurable, the criteria of the goal is clear enough to know when your have reached the goal.

Achievable, the goal must actually be a realistic and something that is attainable to you.

Relevant, the goal must align with your values and your ultimate views of success.

Time-bound, when it comes to time you have be able to picture your targets as the picture gets smaller so should the time frame. For example, a goal which is part of a bigger picture should have an annual time frame but a smaller picture should have a daily or weekly time frame.

When setting goals they should be a mixture of both professional and personal goals and habits and be sure to start them with ‘I will’ instead of ‘I want to’.

By Fiona Vitija

Growing up is never easy. There are always new obstacles and life lessons we must learn on our way through life, yet through our experiences, we learn to grow and better ourselves. Our twenties can feel extremely overwhelming, especially today, as we are constantly exposed to thousands of people online who are somehow living their best lives.

It’s surprising to realise that the Covid-19 pandemic hijacked our lives only two and a half years ago, yet during that time, it seems that society has completely shifted – especially when it comes to our mental health.

Before Covid-19, there was already an increase in the number of people struggling with mental health issues, according to the Office for National Statistics, which reported an increase in anxiety and depression in women aged 20-24 by 5% between 2017-2018

But recent research carried out by the Centre for Mental Health found that post-pandemic, 20% of the UK population (10 million) needed new or additional mental health support, with many young people feeling a loss of self-identity in particular.

Image: ©Raw Pixle

Elizabeth Strutton, a hypnotherapist from Swansea who has been practising in the field for ten years, says, “There are so many young people who need support. Many young people have experienced Adverse Childhood Events or trauma, and the results of this affect their lives growing up”

“Young males, in particular, find it very difficult to access support. There is still a stigma attached to talking about mental health, particularly with men. Gender dysphoria is increasing among young people too; many teenagers and upwards are unsure of their gender, which can result in an identity crisis with no fixed sense of self”.

Reaching out for help

Seeking help can always be daunting for many but more and more people are speaking out about their mental health journeys on platforms such as BBC Radio 1, helping to alter people’s perceptions.

Alda Bakr, 22, TA at a primary school in

©Raw Pixle

London, started seeing a therapist earlier this month to tackle her anxiety and depression .

“I’ve already been positively impacted by therapy. I feel the drive to want to heal,” said Bakr, who already feels lighter and calmer.

Strutton says it’s important to find a therapist that meets your needs, and that you should take your time to find not only the right therapist, but the right type of therapy. “It is okay to try different types of therapy to see which one fits you, as it is very individual,” she says.

“When choosing a therapist, decide if you would feel more comfortable with a particular gender if you are looking for help with a specialist field, and then search on directories for those who you feel may fit you. Then ask for an initial telephone call or consultation (most therapists offer these free), during which you can get a feel for the therapist and then go from there.

“Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable, then find someone else. Research shows that a good rapport and relationship between client and therapist is vital for therapeutic gain.”

What help is out there for you

Getting counselling early can be beneficial, says Stutton. “Those who seek help at a younger age benefit immensely, especially in how they view and feel about themselves. It is essential to add that many private therapists are open to discussing their rates and, at times, will alter them to fit your needs.”

Lucy Pemberton, 23, a Fashion Marketer from London, started her initial round of therapy when she was just 16 due to her struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder and, body dysmorphia disorder.

The expierence was not a very positive one she said

“I didn’t really connect with the therapist, and I also think I was maybe too young to understand what I really needed help with. I started again when I was 18, and it was cognitive behavioural therapy. I’ve been with the same therapist for five years now.

“I think starting [again] at 18 really helped me go about my early adulthood in a certain way... going just as I embarked on quite big stages of my early life, has allowed me not to feel so awful and prepared for certain situations.” She adds that going to therapy during this key period in her life has allowed her not to feel alone in her struggles, saying that her therapist allowed her to feel normal about her issues and hard times.

For more help and advice, you can contact your local GP for information, or visit the NHS website.

For information on local therapist near you visit counselling-directory.org.uk.

Image: ©Raw Pixle

love letters to Myself

letters you the readers have written to your younger selves...

Stop stressing about your grades, your - no one real- ly cares about them not even your current job! You’ve done amazingly - N.T

love, think

Be nicer to yourself, yoou’re beautifulthewayyouare.-E.K

and care about yourself as you do for your friendsandfamily.-H.H

l’m so proud of how you are finding your- self and loving every bit of it. We made it! - Y.M

You’re doing great regardless of what our parents expected of you. You’re going to be exact ly where you’re meant to be. H.M

MEET SHUKRIA HUSSAiN

By David Pasia

dream

The London fashion sphere, in all its glory and esteem, is notoriously difficult to crack for a person without the benefits of nepotism and wealth. To even get your foot in the door, you would need to a mass industry contacts on top of talent, a unique point of view to offer and – of course – hard work.

Shukria Hussain, 24, is a fashion and beauty influencer/model in London who is forging a place for herself in the selective community. “I always loved fashion and make up but it was more of a hobby than something I would pursue,” recalls Hussain, “it was like a dream, but it seemed so far away.”

Like many children of immigrants, Hussain recalls the struggle of growing up without the safety net of financial security. She lived in a council estate with her parents who emigrated from east Africa. “I grew up in North London on child benefits so, for me, the only way out was to follow a traditional career path.”

Even in school, Hussain could not find repose from the cruel societal expectations she faced. As she thrived academically, particularly in STEM subjects, her teachers encouraged her to pursue conventionally respected careers as opposed to creative ones: “My teachers wanted me to pursue science hence why I did biomedical sciences in uni.”

“Because I grew up in poverty, I was made to believe the only way up was through school. I feel like I’ve been discouraged from pursuing an alternative career as it’s not mainstream, not stable,” says Hussain.

Hussain also mentions her issues with her family, particularly her parents. Having come from a devout Muslim household, her parents are not fully supportive of a career in the fashion or beauty industry.

Drawn to the arts

Despite the adversities facing Hussain, she maintained a love for the arts citing her interest in painting and poetry. Her love of poetry has pro-

pelled her to start an account dedicated to the hobby: “During Black History Month, I attended a lot of spoken word events which is one of the main reasons why I made a secret poetry account.”

“It’s secret because I don’t want the pressure of people I know looking at it. I want to be as open as possible to strangers who don’t really know who I am,” she says.

Fast forward to today, Hussain’s aspirations are becoming reality after getting signed to Rimmel London and Storm Models. Through the power of social media, TikTok in Hussain’s case, she has been able to work with some of the hottest household names like JD and Jaded London.

“When I first joined TikTok, it was purely for fun. I joined during lockdown like everyone else. I never had the mindset that I was going to get signed through there. And, then, this competition for Rimmel pops up.

“I just thought I would do it for a laugh but when I made it through to the interview part, I was like ‘Wait a second’” Hussain reminisces, her eyes twinkling as if she were reliving the moment.

“After the Rimmel thing happened,” she continues, giddy at the prospect, “I was signed to Storm through TikTok as well. Suddenly, I had this potential career rather than a faraway, make-believe dream that I could never see happening.”

Image from Shukria Hussains Instagram

The birth and rapid expansion of social media has certainly made a career in fashion and beauty all the more attainable for the masses.

Katelyn Fouladgar, 22, who works as a marketing executive for Bauer Media says social media and influencing has changed the PR and marketing industry:

“For brands to go digital, they need to utilise social media to appeal to younger audiences. Brands will be able to use TikTok, which has become its own informal economy, to boost their e-commerce strategies. Influencers create a sense of relatability for consumers as representatives of a brand’s values.”

Giving her all Beyond chasing her dreams, Hussain hopes to be the representation she yearned for as alittle girl. Her idol growing up was Sabrina Elba: “She is Idris Elba’s wife but she’s doing her own thing; she started her own make up label that focuses on using ingredients from Africa.

Hussain’s best friend of eight years, Abayti Abdurahman, vouches for her ability to inspire: “It’s wonderful to see Shukria embracing her hair in all its different states, showing how beautiful and versatile it is. It would be so inspiring for a girl, struggling with her hair, to have someone to look up to.”

It’s clear that Hussain has a long road ahead of her, but there is no doubt she will reach stardom. “I have potential; I love this industry and I’m gonna give it my all!” she says.

“Seeing people who look like me, who come from the same environment as me succeeding makes me want to be the same for the young Black girls of today.

Image from Shukria Hussains Instagram

Image from Shukria Hussains Instagram

Could Your Dream Home Be a Converted Mini-Bus?

By Fiona Vitija

We’ve

heard of millionaires owning mansions, your typical family having a white picket-fenced house, and models living in penthouses, but what about young and free explorers residing in a minibus converted into a house on wheels?

Aneurin Creed and Maya Bell aren’t typical twenty-threeyear-olds abiding by society’s expectations of what you should be doing as a post-graduate. A little over a year ago, the couple, who have been together for over four years, decided it was time to finally fulfil their dreams of travelling the world together to find the abundance of freedom waiting for them. Since then, the twwo have never looked back and are happier than ever.

The couple first set off on their

travels earlier this August, visiting France, Spain, and Portugal as their trial run, travelling to different cities, and exploring their hearts out. They are now back home in Wales, parked outside Maya’s mother’s house, working Part-time jobs, and saving money for their next excursions.

A new way of living

Many university students look forward to coming out of university and delving into the

Going into a full-time job to sustain myself seemed daunting and unnecessary”. Since the start of their relationship, the couple has shared an interest in travel and exploring. They first started travelling in Aneurin’s Berlingo around the UK, which allowed them to try Micro camping.

When Covid-19 surfaced, the couple was nearing the end of their degrees and were ready to have a new sense of beginning; they knew they wanted to convert a van to live in full-time and travel, so when they stumbled across their van, they knew it was now or never.

Aneurin spoke about his time during Covid-19: “As Much as we loved our house in Swansea, waking up and physically being trapped in that one location was really difficult.

‘real’ world. Many get excited to find themselves in grown-up 9-5 jobs.

Maya, however, found herself feeling the contrary, “the idea of coming out of university was really hard in many ways, especially on my mental health.

“We’ve now got that option of constant freedom. And that’s something that has become really important to us.”

The van renovation cost the couple £13,000 and took them 18 months to complete. The van is entirely equipped with a fully functioning kitchen, wet

©Image of couple inside their van - Photo from Maya Bell

©Image of the van from inside - Image Maya Bell

room/bathroom with a compost toilet and a fixed double bed. Aneurin and Maya worked part-time retail jobs while balancing an additional job before and after the pandemic. For Aneurin, it was Gardening and for Maya, delivering pizzas for Dominos.

While many of their family and friends were excited about their travels, not everyone could understand what they were doing. Maya’s grandparents thought it was a waste of time and money, but she didn’t mind as she knew it was just their generational conditioning that didn’t allow them to fully understand her dream.

Once their travels got started, the couple was able to meet an array of people from different backgrounds and of different ages. They met a young 21-yearold travelling in his Berlingo, on which he had set up a small bed on top of boxes.

They emphasise that there is no right way of living out this dream. Aneurin adds, “It doesn’t need to be that Instagram image that everyone seems. If it’s functional for your individual needs, you’re fulfilling that dream you’ve set up for yourself.”

The idea of van living has become incredibly popular among young people. Hannah Hoyels, 24, from Swansea, says, “owning a house seems almost impossible for the younger generation, ‘van life’ has the appeal of owning something

completely yours without being tied down to a mortgage”.

Life as it is now

Lessons learnt while

travelling

An appreciation for freedom was a significant takeaway for the couple while also embracing the unknown. Now that the two have tasted this freedom, Aneurin and Maya know that they don’t have to work forever to sustain a lifestyle that makes them happy.

Maya’s mother, Ceri Bell, 44, from Llantwit, has said that Maya was always free-spirited, “she always wanted to explore... she knew that happiness never came from wealth and material things. She always had a free mind.”

Both Aneurin and Maya were able to find a lot of peace during their travels. They both found that it has been a time when they have been able to delve deeper into themselves and their relationship. The two

The couple’s only desire now is to save up and return to the road in January.

While long term wise, they hope to be able to buy a plot of land to build on and continue their sustainable living.

stated that, although their van may seem small, they never had space issues. Maya says,

©Images of the pair enjoying their travels - Images Maya Bell

“As soon as westep outside the van, we have the whole world”.

A SESSION WITH YOUR AGONY AUNT

Hey agony aunt! I've started a new job and I'm struggling to make friends, what do I talk about to break the ice?? Help!! Jack, 25

Congratulations on your new job!! Making new friends can be super stressful and a bit nerve wracking but there are things that can make it easier. The good thing about making friends in the workplace is that you already have something in common with them. Start off with casual work place chat, this will help you get familiar with your colleagues and their interests which will make it much easier for you to befriend them. There’s no easy answer, just take it slow, be brave, be yourself and remember you can do this! You won’t be the only one struggling with this trust me! Good luck xx

Agony aunt! I need your advice immediately. I'm in my first year at uni and I HATE it, I want to drop out but everyone will be so disappointed. What do I do? Emily, 18

Girl! You must be feeling so stressed right now, but take a deep breath and relax, let’s put this into perspective. Growing up is tough! There are all these decisions you feel like you have to make, it can feel like, at the age of 18, you have to plan your entire future. Which is stressful, how are you supposed to know what you want to do? A little secret most people still don’t. You don’t need to make that decision right now. The most important thing to focus on is your mental health, don’t stress yourself to the point where this is being affected. You'd be surprised that people most likely won’t be disappointed, for them it’ll be much more important that you are happy and healthy. Take some time consider all options but most of all do whatever is best for you, not what you think other want you to do. Uni is not the be all and end all. You've got this!!

I’ve just broken up with my boyfriend of 5 years. It was mutual so there’s no hard feelings but I’m not coping great, it’s such a strange feeling and I need advice on how to feel like myself again?? Jade, 27

Initially this will seem like a sad time and it is, you've lost a relationship. But you’ve gained yourself. You are a completely different person to who you were 5 years ago, take this time to meet yourself in this new place, learn about the new you, take up a hobby, try something new. Whatever you want just make sure you take this time to get reacquainted with yourself. Don't jump straight into a new relationship, learn how to be by yourself, spend time with friends and enjoy it. I hope this is helpful, I know how hard this must be but stay strong, focus on the positives and you'll be living your best life again before you know it. xx

Hey agony aunt, I’m about to move to London to start my new job. Any tips on settling in, living alone for the first time and just big life steps in general? Carmen, 24

Oh wow how exciting. Growing up is majorly scary but also so exciting and living in your own place is such a big and memorable life moment. Think about what little you would say about this! For settling in; make sure you make it your comfort place, spent time making your space... YOUR SPACE! Living alone can seem daunting at first but it won't take you long to get used to it. You'll make friends soon enough and you'll find that even though you live alone, most of the time you won't be alone. Big life steps can be hard to navigate and overwhelming at times. To cope I would suggest taking things step by step, try not to allow your mind to constantly be focused on the next thing you need to do, or plan. Focus on now and enjoy it. You won't get to re-live these exciting moments.

Could Hairdressing Be the Career for You?

By David Pasia

Swapping desk-bound jobs

Oftentimes, young people are conditioned into believing that the way to succeed in life is to do well academically, graduate from university and find a well-paying office job. Of course, this route is not compatible with people who don’t thrive in a structured learning environment like higher academia, or those who need a job that acts as a creative outlet.

Hairdressing, among many other vocational professions, stands out as an option that encompasses customer service and ensures the creative juices stay flowing. In 2005, a survey carried out by City & Guilds, a London-based qualifications authority, found that 40% of the hairdressing respondents were content with their career.

Annabelle Dean, 25, a freelance stylist based in Essex can’t see herself doing any other job after eleven years in the business. “What I love most about being a stylist is the freedom and creativity. Not one day is the same, and being freelance means I can book my work hours to fit in with my own schedule.”

Being a hairstylist can be a very fulfilling and self-gratifying in the best way possible with its pampering and transformative services. In today’s hectic world, visiting a salon could be someone’s way of unwinding as a form of self-care.

Keenan Ebdon, 23, from Live True London in Clapham North, speaks to the uplifting results that having one’s hair done can have on clients. “Some of the women who come to me as regular clients really see having their hair done as the highlight of their day. It’s a chance for them to just sit back and relax.

“Others come because they want to make a drastic change to their appearance through a

new hair colour or cut. They leave the salon with a newfound confidence, ready to take on life.”

She adds that a new hairstyle can transform the way people feel about themselves. “If someone is lacking confidence in their image or have previously had a bad hair appointment somewhere else, then helping them achieve their hair goals can leave your client feeling more confident and empowered.”

This self-esteem boosting component of hairstyling, coupled with the general human desire to be well-groomed are some of the reasons why the industry continues to grow at a rapid rate.

© James Keefe - showing before and after pictures frof his work

Hairdressing is also a career that will always be necessary, as the statistics prove. Policy Bee (a Suffolk-based insurance broker for small businesses and charities) states “the amount spent at hairdressers and personal care salons in the UK was highest in 2019, reaching £8.6 billion.” The NHBF, National Hair & Beauty Federation, also recorded 16,559 as the number of hair salons in the UK, which was a 21% increase over five years.

Despite this, the number of hairdressing and barbering apprenticeships continues to drop: “Around 6000 people started hairdressing apprenticeships in England in 2020/21 compared to around 7000 in 2019/20” according to NHBF.

Experience working in a salon

Both Ebdon and Dean urge young people who are thinking of going into hairdressing to gain experience by working in a salon as an assistant. Experience is key and working in a salon will allow newcomers to practice the basics of handling hair as well as building a rapport with clients.

“Working in a salon means you can soak up as much knowledge from stylists around you. Always be watching how other stylists work and build up your client base around services you enjoy the most and can specialise in,” advises Ebdon.

James Keefe, 22, salon manager at the Vauxhall branch of Live True London, emphasises the

importance of stylist-client relationships: “Having great people skills pays off. A client will reciprocate the energy you give them from the moment they’re greeted so you don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. A consistent smile and friendly tone goes a long way.”

At first glance, hairdressing may not appear to be the most glamorous or high paying job. The National Careers Service reports the average yearly salary for hairdressers range from £14,000 for starters to £30,000 for experienced workers

Despite this, Ebdon and Dean feel assured in their career choices and where they’re at in life. “Being a stylist isn’t about the money for me. My job makes me feel fulfilled,” says Dean.

Adds Ebdon: “I love seeing a smile on my client’s face when they see the results of the service. It makes me feel like I’ve made a difference, no matter how small, in their confidence.”

“My job makes me feel fulfilled”.

HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

Extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, finely minced 2 carrots, finely grated 800g canned crushed tomatoes ½ cup water (pasta cooking water, preferred) salt and black pepper 1 tbsp dried oregano 1 tsp paprika Pinch red pepper flakes, optional Handful fresh basil, torn Handful fresh parsley, chopped

METHOD:

1. 2. 3. 4. SERVE WITH FRESH BASIL AND PARMESAN CHEESE

In a large pan heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions, garlic, and finely grated carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring until softened.

Add the crushed tomatoes and ½ cup water. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in oregano, paprika, crushed pepper flakes. Finally, stir in the fresh basil and parsley. Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you feel the sauce is too thick, you can add a more water (preferably some of your pasta cooking water). Cook pasta of your choice and add to the sauce. Stir to combine and let the pasta cook in the sauce over low heat for about 5 minutes.

By Sahra Sancar

The societal stigma surrounding female body hair. Those who shave and those who don’t.

Female body hair – you either love it or loathe it. Women have been taught that being hairy is undesirable, and that they need to shave, bleach, wax, or laser it off as much as possible. After all, they say, men love Brazilians, and won’t find hairy armpits, legs, or lady gardens attractive.

Body hair has been a taboo for decades and most women are ashamed of it, even though it’s entirely natural. But as a result of beauty standards created by the media and good old marketing techniques designed to sell razors and shaving creams, our attitudes towards the way we feel about our own body hair has become negative.

“For a long time, I have always thought about how men have different choices that they are allowed to make over their body, like being topless and having body hair,” said Izzy Lloyd, 24, an art psychotherapy student who is breaking societal standards by making the conscious choice not to shave her natural body hair. “And that just didn’t really sit well with me. Like, if men can allow their bodies to be natural in terms of body hair, then why can’t women.”

Looking back throughout history, there has been evidence of women shaving their hair from as early as the cave man/woman era. Then it was for practicality, not desirability, to avoid frostbite. But somewhere along the line there was a shift, with women shaving not because it was necessary but because it was expected.

Today shaving is the norm. It has almost become engrained in a young girl’s mind that once she hits puberty and starts to grow body hair, she must shave it. For many women this continues throughout their whole lives, but today we are starting to see more and more women decide to completely stop shaving their body hair, we areseeing a shift in women’s attitudes to wards their own body hair.

The idea to stop shaving first came to Izzy’s mind when she was around fifteen years old, how ever it was only two years ago before she bit the bullet. “I just thought f*** it I’m just going to grow it out, I can’t be bothered to shave my legs or and I can’t be bothered to shave my arms either. But I also think it looks kind of cool.”

For Izzy, there was no distinctive moment that ultimately led to her choice to stop shaving, but the double standard element played a big part in her decision. However, the internal battle she had with herself over the decision was greater than she thought. “Part of me still wanted to conform to society’s beauty standards,” she said. She feels empowered by her body hair when she’s with close friends, however this feeling isn’t the same around everyone. Her attitude towards her body hair changes often, depending on the location and environment that she is in. “In public there have been numerous times that I’ve been stared at, there have

been comments made and that has made me feel quite shamed about my body hair and uncomfortable.”

One woman who knows this feeling all too well is Jahara Duha, 21, who is studying Biological Sciences at the University of Westminster. She first experienced embarrassment about her body hair after and inconsiderate comment from a classmate in secondary school. “I can see your moustache,” were the

words he said and the words she can’t forget.

Until pointed out to her she had never noticed the hair above her top lip, because why should she, she was twelve years old. “I never looked at my face and thought you’ve got a hairy face,” she said. “I went home that day and grabbed the razor and shaved my upper lip and I’ve been doing that for years on end.” She explains that eventually she would have started shav-

ing, but it wouldn’t have been at such ayoung age if it wasn’t for her classmate’s comment.

For as long as she can remember, Jahara has wanted the hair from her body to be gone, leading her to want laser hair removal in the future. “I would 100 percent get it. I think that’s one of the first things I will do [in the future] especially my upper lip and my chin area, I wouldn’t even doubt it.”

In recent years, laser hair removal has become the perfect solution for those who wish to be hairless forever. Laura Esposito, clinical lead practitioner at Angel Laser Clinic in London, emphasises that the choice should up to the individual what they wish to do with their body hair.

“Every woman has the right to feel beautiful and confident as anyone else and this is not related to any social standard but more about feeling good with yourself and healthy.

“I believe [laser hair removal] is a decision that should be taken by each one individually, as for some people hair may not be an important matter as for others.”

© Illistration of woman with armpit hair - Rawpix

IS YOUR DESTINEY WRITTEN IN THE

Discover Astro 11, the business created to tell you just that.

All of us, at some stage in our lives, have flicked the horoscope section of a magazine in hopes of reading the best news in the world. Have the stars aligned to get you the best job, the perfect boyfriend, or the winning lottery ticket? Only your astrologist knows for sure.

Reading about your star sign, or ‘sun sign’ as it is referred to in astrology lingo, only skims the surface when it comes to learning about astrology. The date and month when you are born decides which sign this is and learning the traits of these signs can help us learn more about ourselves.

This is something twenty-year-old Milita LotayShafiq, a part-time retail worker, wanted to help others learn about when she created her own astrological birth chart reading business, Astro 11. While some may say astrology is nonsense, others won’t leave their homes in the morning without checking their horoscope.

“The essence of Astro 11 is about being able to not only predict things that are going to happen in the future but also learning about yourself to the core and in all areas of your life,” says Milita, who lives in Wembley.

“This can include perceptions of yourself and how other people perceive you as well as how you’ll be perceived in your career for example.”

She combines both astrology and numerology in her in-depth readings, which she offers to customers. These readings allow people to not only under stand the things that are going to happen in their future but how these will benefit them.

Milita has many years of expe rience and knowledge with astrology as she started studying both astrology and numerology when she was just thirteen years old. “I want ed to start help ing other people with their lives, understanding their fate and what is ahead but also who they are as people. I never thought I would have ended up starting this kind of business but so far, it’s been a success.”

She explains the hidden beauty behind astrology that many people often don’t know about. It can tell you more about your love life ambitions, career, money, luck, as well as how oth er perceive you, she says.

“We all have a path and even though we get lost we are still

STARS?

By Sahra Sancar

on that path there’s no way of changing it I feel like you are who you’re meant to be and there’s nothing you can do about that but build off it in a positiveway and embrace who you really are

a passion to look deeper into their signs.

“I feel like one thing people struggle with nowadays is getting lost, I feel like value of the self and self-worth is so important and I feel like that can be built up on multiple things not necessarily astrology, but I feel like I can really help you to understand about yourself

Astrology “can be fantastic for self-insight and understanding, it can help you find out why you’re here [on earth], it can give you direction, help you with the timing of your life, so there are lots of different reasons why it’s good to look into,” says Sally Kirkman, an astrologer with over 30 years’ experience.

“It’s the language of the stars, it connects us to the universe, it’s a reminder of all the interconnectedness of things and a way of brining more meaning to your life.”

One person who was loves astrology is Elia Pugliesi, a 27-year-old sales assistant, who was able to learn deeper about her life and her future after receiving a reading from

“A lot of information from my reading resonated with me as it was a lot of truth even with areas in my life that [Milita] had no idea about and she got it right. I love this feeling of looking deeper into your life and fate. It was a great eye opener in many times and gave me clarity towards areas that I

Astrology has stood the test of time, having

early as 2 B.C. It remains popular today with many people only recently discover-

Who is Influencing you?

By Evie Adamns

The rise of second-hand fashion influencers.

With sustainability on the tip of everyone’s tongue, people are increasingly aware of their shopping habits; impact on the planet. There has been a rise in those sourcing their clothes at charity shops, car-boot sales and online second hand retailers.

The impact that our level of consumerism has on the planet is incomprehensible. Today we consume more than at any other point in history, particularly in western countries where the culture is more developed. Higher demand for materials has led to higher levels of pollution, more deforestation and accelerated climate change. It’s time for a change!

As a society, we are becoming more aware of fast fashion environmental and ethical impact. In response, there has been a rise in the number of influencers becoming aware of how their content and lifestyle contribute to this.

Emily Beaney

Emily Beaney, 21, is a London-based content creator. With 10k followers on Instagram and 40k on TikTok, she influences many people. Her content focuses primarily on ethical and second-hand fashion.

Emily’s journey with sustainability is a unique one, stemming from her faith. As a Christian, she felt fast fashion didn’t align with her beliefs as it hurts both people and the planet. “I felt it wasn’t very “love thy neighbour” of me to use fast fashion, and I felt I could not endorse that”.

Her content includes charity shop hauls, thrift flips, fast fashion facts, and sustainability tips.

Emily’s top tips for shopping more sustainably include deleting all fast fashion apps.

“It’s too tempting when they’re only a click away… they are created to drag you in and encourage you to make purchases. With constant discounts and sale notifications popping up on your phone, the temptation will always be there. Better out of sight, out of mind!”

She advises you replace these with apps such as Vinted, Finds’ and Depop.

Her second suggestion is to take a look at who “Unfollow those who spend hundreds on fast fashion hauls instead, follow

©Emily Beaney

people on social media who encourage you to shop sustainably and ethically to get the best advice”.

Poppy Jones

Poppy Jones, 21, is a student and fashion micro-influencer from Manchester. She is best known for her charity shop and car boot sale hauls that she posts on TikTok.

Her journey into sustainable and second-hand fashion differs from Emily’s. It began as a money- saving technique.

“I began shopping second-hand as it is so much cheaper than buying fast fashion”, she says. She adds that part of the joy of shopping second hand is the unique items you fine. “I’d recommend just popping into a charity shop once a month to see what you can find”.

to be popular, and it’s a domino effect from there.

When starting her journey into becoming an influencer, Emily said she felt this way. “I thought to be fashionable I had to wear a new outfit every day… I felt inadequate when I went to post a video in an outfit I had worn before”.

She believes that this feeling is spreading “we have a hunger to dress like each other now”, she adds.

A demand for more sustainable influencers In a world full of fashion influencers and celebrities who give us hauls, brand deals, and collaborations from fast fashion brands like SHEIN, Pretty Little Thing and ASOS. We are more in need than ever of sustainable fashion influencers to look towards for influence, advice, styling and shopping tips.

Take Molly-Mae Hague, for example, a massive influence on so many people but also a significant contributor to the rise in excessive shopping and fast fashion popularity.

Poppy says, “I think there is definitely a need for more sustainable influencers… influencers are where the majority of young people look for style inspo… if they were to promote more sustainable fashion, fans would follow along”.

She adds that she is hopeful that more content creators are starting to take that step, so others will begin to follow suit.

The impact of social media

Social media plays a significant role in influencing what we buy and encouraging our purchases. ‘47% of millennials are influenced into their purchases by social media,’ The Delioitte report found.

With constant access to social media, it’s hard not to have fast fashion thrust into our faces, especially with the continuous rise of influencers.

Influencers feel they need to have all the latest trends

©Poppy Jones

Fast Fashion and RESALE MARKET PLACE

By Mia Atkins

Fast fashion brands such as SHEIN score less than 10% on the Fashion Transparaceny Index.” According to the Fashion Transparency Index 2022.

As sustainability continues to be such a pinnacle topic within the fashion industry, it is fascinating to see how various fast fashion companies have bounced back from being on the receiving end of such negativity, from consumers concerned about the detrimental impact fast fashion has on the planet.

High street fashion retailer, Zara, a Spanish multi-national retail clothing chain, specialising in fast fashion and Shein, an online fashion retailer founded in 2012 are amongst many other brands that are racing into resale, as it becomes this seasons hottest trend. Zara has launched their own resale marketplace in the UK while also offering repair and donation services.

The argument remains as to whether fast fashion brands that are launching resale platforms is circular or cynical. Shein is amongst many other fast fashion brands which have a reputation for over producing polyester clothing, even with Sheins attempt to resell clothing they are continuing to churn out 1,000s of new styles daily.

Initially, the idea of resale seems like an obvious ethical move for any fashion company, given its current appeal to the consumer, when paired with a shift in business model away from linear overconsumption, and, when it is a brand which does not have such a tarnished reputation and somewhat makes sense for the brand become more circular while promoting degrowth which in turn opens up to new revenue potential.

However, when the over-producing brands want a slice of the pie like Pretty Little Thing in February when creative director Molly-Mae Hague announced their attempt of resale to be “an app where girls can resell their PLT pieces and pretty much anything pre-loved.”

Although, given that second hand marketplaces such as Depop, eBay and Vinted have consumers reselling their PLT, Zara and ASOS, making PLT the fifth most listens brand on Depop in 2021. The reality of it is, Boohoo Group, which owns PLT, announced a resale platform that will include all the brands that the group owns. Can only be seen as an attempt to win back their sales which consumers have taken elsewhere.

An ongoing concern with existing ownbrand resale platforms is the idea that companies such as Adidas offer rewards and others take 10% of the sales commis-

sions while Levi offers store credit

PrettyLittleThing have a reGAIN recycling programme which offers discounts to consumers who drop their clothes off at charity shops to prevent unnecessary pile up of discarded clothing in landfills.” By offering store credit as the only return for reselling or recycling of fast fashion pieces it only promotes the circularity of consumption.”

Other than the idea of resale is just one way to combat sustainability in fashion. HURR is a rental company which allows customers to wear high end brands “without burning a hole in your wallet or the planet.” Says Mel Duerden 31, from London, who is a customer successor as HURR.”I like the to describe the company as an Air BnB for clothes.”

After a survey asked on third year university students, 46% said they would rent their graduation outfit as they feel it is both environmental and economical. “I dont see the need to buy an outfit which I will only wear once.” Says Millie Stevens, 22, a third year fashion design student from Uxbridge.

Most of the environmental impacts occur in the production process of fast fashion products so unless the rate of production of goods slows down there won’t be many real changes to the impact fast fashion has

on the environment.

Without the reduction of production or prioritising the quality over longevity fast fashion attempt of resale will be nothing more than a cash grab. On the contrary, by such fashion brands coming on board to the idea of resale, normalises second hand purchases and can be instrumental to shifting consumer mindset.

image image

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

By Evie Adamns

Mental health problems are currently a concern of significant proportion.They are prevalent not just in the UK but worldwide.

The charity MIND reports 1 in 6 people expirence a common mental health problem in any given week in England.

They also report that although mental health problems can affect anyone, certain groups will be affected most.

One of these groups is young women between the ages of 16 and 24. Over a quarter of young women report having a common mental health problem in any given week.

With an overwhelming demand for mental health support, new data from the NHS mental health service has revealed that the number of people waiting for community mental health care has risen to 1.2 million.

As a result, People are engaging with other specialists to treat and advise them.

Eleanor Coston

Eleanor Coston, 44, is a fully qualified Holistic Nutritionist from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and CoAuthor of the book From Fibromyalgia To Freedom. She treats various issues, including digestive disorders, female reproductive health, mental health, diabetes and autoimmune conditions. She became a Holistic Nutritionist because she was frustrated by how little GPs knew about common conditions such as PMS, acid reflux and stress. “Often a simple change in diet and a few lifestyle changes are all that’s needed to rectify the situation”, she says.

The link to mental health

A large amount of evidence now suggests that diet is as vital to mental health as it is to physical health, a report by Felice Jacka, president of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research, finds.

Studies have also compared “traditional diets” to typical “western” diets and have demonstrated that the risk of depression is 25 – 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet.

Whilst Holistic Nutrition professionals do not claim to be able to cure mental health problems. They can provide advice and support.

Eleanor comments, “Science shows us there is a definite link between what you eat and the state of your mental health, the key to good mental health is a healthy gut”.

The scientific evidence Eleanor mentions how one of our feel-good hormones is Serotonin. She adds, “People that suffer with depression, anxiety and other mood-related disorders are diagnosed as having low serotonin levels… 90% of Serotonin is made in the gut, so mood disorders are actually linked to gut health”. Healing your gut can, in turn,

heal or improve your mental health. A nutritious diet is step one to an improved and healthier gut.

How to start a nutritious diet

Eleanor says to anyone wanting to start a nutritious diet, “The key is to incorporate healthy foods into your life by making sensible swaps… you can still enjoy the meals you like, but you can make them healthier”.

Her top tips are:

- Always cook from scratch.

- Never buy ready meals or highly processed foods.

- Make your own replacements with real and natural ingredients, for example instead of buying a pre-made pasta sauce, experiment with making your own.

- Make it fun and try something new each day.

“Don’t buy out Holland and Barrett and vow to start on Monday… this is setting yourself up for failure” she adds. Take it slow and steady.

A success story

Dylan John, 58, a project manager from London, has had a positive experience with Holistic Nutrition. After spending years as a vegetarian, Dylan felt he had reached a point where his diet predominantly consisted of excessive amounts of dairy instead of a selection of balanced food groups.

This affected his mental and physical health; he said, “this became quite debilitating, manifesting itself in various symptoms such as excessive tiredness, IBS and weight gain, which in turn led to the deterioration of my mental well-being”.

Dylan visited a Holistic Nutritionist who advised him towards a

change in diet. His first step was becoming vegan, and since then, he says, “my physical and mental well-being has improved, and I now have a much more positive outlook on life”.

This worked for his body, but everyone body is different, so getting advice from a professional who will know what is best for you personally is essentual. The new generation of experts Studies in this field are on the rise, with more people researching the impact of food on our bodies. Paula Lema, 26, is a student currently studying at RGU in Aberdeen to be a dietician. Her desire to study this came from her interest in nutrition and its effect on health and quality of life.

“I want to share with people that food is nurishment… pointing people in the right direction in a world where diet culture has distorted what healthy eating means”, she says. The awareness of how a healthy body can protect and support our mental health is on the rise and will help promote change.

Image: ©Raw Pixle