I must admit, the time my fingers have spent on a keyboard has been seriously limited over the Christmas period. My weeks were filed with the obligatory cheese and chocolate diet (with a healthy dash of gin), dog walks over the Mendips and nights in front of Love Actually and The Holiday. I was convinced I would keep working throughout, but after realising the danger of myself burning out, mixed with a strange combination of feelings about being home, I decided to stay away from the laptop for a little bit. It feels comforting to be writing again though, as I pick up the books and put down the Quality Streets for now- fast typing can burn calories, right?!
I would love to write about how nice it is to start a new year and leave 2020 behind, but a cloud of doubt casts a shadow over that idle though. This year hasn’t brought us much hope yet, considering we currently have more people in hospital with Covid-19 than we did anytime last year, America seems lost and confused as Trump still manages to reign chaos even in his final presidential days, and we’re in ANOTHER national lockdown. Not exactly the prettiest picture.
But there is still a positive outlook to have for the year ahead. Trump has been silenced on Twitter, Biden is set to take power, three vaccines are being rolled out and Harry Styles’ new film may be released later in the year (this is my most anticipated I must confess). I haven’t started jumping up and down with glee just yet, as I worry any ounce of optimism may jinx the dim light at the end of the tunnel. It will all be ok; I keep telling myself. I know it will, but it just seems hard to believe when I’m confined to leaving the house once a day- I mean, not that I’m complaining about the additional TV viewing (thank you Bridgerton very much for bringing the Duke into our lives at this much needed time).
So, what is there for me to say? Not much for now really. This was just a gentle return this week. I’m planning some new blog posts, features, reviews, interviews and articles for the next few weeks, and maybe even a few musical covers (very much still in the works for now). A podcast would be my eventual wish, but we’ll see what happens with that ideas, I fear the sound of my voice dragging on could put people off. So, onwards and upwards if possible. I know we’re off to a rocky start, but I have hope, our pessimistic view of 2021 may prove wrong yet…
Gabriela Page- Another nice positive, this pic I shot of the Morgan Arcade won a Christmas competition, Merry Christmas to me!
Is this lazy of me? Posting a piece I had published yesterday?
Ah well, I want to spread my opinions on this matter as far as I can, so will continue to share it across all my platforms. Plus, it encourages me to sit and do some writing for uni work in the time I would’ve written another blog post, which may not be such a bad thing…
‘’Oh, the virus is spreading because of the students, it’s all their fault’.
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It’s all well and good putting the blame on students and slandering their actions, but has anyone actually stopped to think about how it feels to be one of these ‘hooligans’ during this pandemic?
We’re nearing the end of 2020, and it feels like we’ve fast-forward through the decade, compressing years’ worth of chaos into one monstrous year, whilst cautiously acknowledging that it could just all combust at any given moment. So yes, understandably we’re frustrated, but let’s not take it out on the youth.
Sure, I can’t sit looking down on people telling them that us mere students have been perfect, some have been far from this, but they’re hardly the detrimental driving force behind the Covid catastrophe.
I know some have been arguably reckless and selfish, with gatherings and raves being organised and packed to the masses, but it isn’t fair to put it all on us. Some isolate when they’re told. Some track and trace. Some wear their masks. And some, god forbid, even keep their distance from others. Yet we’ve all been generalised under one giant adolescent bubble.
There are many things that could’ve been done differently with the handling of the virus.
Amongst all the chaos there have been some wrong decisions made and not all choices have been good, but the students aren’t to blame for this pandemic. We are simply trying to go about navigating our way through these uncertain times like everyone else, whilst continuing our learning and retaining some form of social interaction with others.
Our £9k a year courses aren’t being refunded or reduced (at time of writing, one can remain a hopeful optimist that this will have changed a few months down the line…), yet we are expected to keep on learning through a mirage of online classes, going square-eyed through endless Zooms, a hardly fair replacement I would argue.
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So what’s being done about tuition fees?
Now MP’s did meet on Monday 16 November 2020 to debate the mounting petitions relating to university tuition fees that had been signed thousands of times. Petitions involved cases such as: ‘lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends’ and ‘require universities to partially refund tuition fees for 20/21 due to covid-19’.
Surprise surprise, there was no unanimous agreement on, well, anything, so the confusion remains. Well, some Tory MPs did say that all students who got locked down should get an automatic refund, but that does not address the issue for everyone, and is a fairly lacking statement.
But of course, why would the government want to tackle the topic of fee refunds?? God forbid! But surely there could be some better support and clarity provided to us club-deprived, Wetherspoons-dependant youths?
Even a letter from good old Bojo giving us a better insight on what the general plan on finance is for us would be nice. Instead, we’ve been relatively left in the dark when it comes to this matter.
Could it also not be argued that universities are saving some money? Less electricity and facilities are being used for a start, which I imagine is a hefty cut in the annual spend?
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Maybe this would have been better if students had just stayed home
I sometimes can’t help but wonder if sending a cohort of juveniles back to the populous dorms and shoddy student houses was a bad idea.
Don’t get me wrong, we all wanted to reclaim a piece of our freedom back after months of enforced family-time, I more than most, but was this seize of power too small a prize for an increase in Covid cases and a society turned against us?
If most of us are only physically in our uni’s once a week or maybe not even at all, then why was it not decreed that all students would just learn from home and not return to the densely populated halls and packed pubs? Oh right, because in doing so the companies who run the accommodations and student services would lose money and at no fault of their own fall into crisis due to a lack of government funding.
So, instead of ‘eat out to help out’, why didn’t we have support for ‘study at home to save lives’?
Some universities have provided the support needed for students’ mental wellbeing through free counselling sessions and online support, but others have neglected this crucial area, with some even claiming they can’t run their usual support services due to the pandemic.
Shutterstock images- Esther McVey
Esther McVey, a former minister, spoke at the Monday 16th debate, and asked the question: “How were young students allowed to go back to university when universities did not have the capability to look after their students?
Some of them have literally been locked up in student accommodation.”
So why were we allowed back?
The government have continuously claimed that they have put lives before the economy but forgive me if I struggle to agree with this empty sentiment. If this was the case, why were we lured into a false sense of hope that uni’s would ensure we had a near-normal experience and be looked after, only to be bitterly disappointed? Ah…
Students have been the guinea pigs of an experiment led by the government. An attempt at normality has been overshadowed by the tragedy of the year.
The logic in hindsight may have been that we may have a lesser chance of getting very ill from Covid, but that’s not applicable for all, and is an extremely risky and unfair to assume. Our lives matter too.
Right, where was I going with this?
Oh yeah. It’s easy to sit back and rant about students causing a raucous in society whilst eating your 100th slice of banana bread, but before you turn it all on us, stop and think.
This year hasn’t been easy or joyous for any of us anywhere (unless you’re Jeff Bezos perhaps), so why don’t we take a leaf out of this years’ lessons and treat everyone with a little more kindness? I urge you to take out your own frustrations in a Joe Wicks workout, not at the students.
Whilst the media can provide endless hours of entertainment as well as news, it can prove to have a dark side. Some of us forget that these stories we’re reading merely to entertain and distract ourselves from our own lives, are about real people, with real feelings and emotions. The media can all too often forget about how negative press and intrusive stories can affect a person’s mental well-being, and there can be a lack of consideration for how metal health is portrayed in the news.
It tends to start with media outlets wanting the most clickbait-worthy stories gracing the front pages, doing everything in their power to draw readers in, even if what they’re writing may not be 100% accurate. This is the damage caused by sensationalist media, and ‘has been implicated in the rapid spread of rumour and misinformation online’, (Chen, Conroy, Rubin:15-19). Stories are exaggerated, people are made to look worse than they are and then come under the scrutiny of the public, who are left to judge. This not only goes against a journalists duty to report truthful and accurate news, but leaves celebrities feeling used and deceived. Well, if you’ve read one of my previous blog posts *ahem* you’ll know my views on sensationalist media.
This issue was sadly brought into light when Caroline Flack took her own life in February 2020, after being bombarded by the media as she battled a court case. For the public, a court battle is a private affair for a person or family to deal with, and it may get news coverage but that would be based on neutral grounds and would simply state facts. However, when it’s someone well know, it’s very different.
She was under intense press scrutiny for around six months before she passed away due to an ongoing case regarding an incident with her boyfriend- something that was never our business to begin with, people forget. An event that occurs in the privacy of someone’s house involving personal matters and issues is not something that should be spread blatantly across the front pages and morning headlines
A Guardian analysis showed that the Sun published the most articles about her, with a quarter of them taking a negative tone as they included graphic references to her alleged assault. ‘The press that had happily built her up as a star also delighted in taking her down’, (Seymour, 2020)
However, it is hard to say for sure if the attention she received from the media and the negative press was to blame. There’s no denying that it didn’t help, and may have been the final straw, but the probability is that it can’t bear the sole blame.
A statement from the Society of Editors said: ‘We cannot know the reasons why Caroline chose to end her life, however it is wrong to blame the media for her decision without knowing the facts’, (Society of Editors, 2020). A lot can build up in a persons life that drives them to a place of such sadness and despair that we never truly know the reasons behind such tragic event. Even if the media aren’t solely to blame, they didn’t aide the situation. They were yet another weight mounting on her mind.
Gabriela Page
This question is an important one: ‘Freedom of the press is one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic society, but is regulation around some aspects of the media reporting of suicide required?’ (BMJ, 2020) Yes, the press should be allowed to publish that which is in the publics interest, but not when it is something which risks causing damage to someone mentally and lead them to such a dark place. It is a clear indication as to how one may be affected by a story, due to how they’ve been portrayed in the media. Vilifying a person of half-truths and hurtful lies causes detrimental damage to a persons wellbeing, and surprise surprise, celebrities are people too!
The lesson that the media can take from this is to only publish facts, not speculation. Think about what damage a story can cause to a person, who may be vulnerable. Celebrities aren’t invincible, no matter what we think, they are still people, who can be left hurt by what is written about them. The ‘Be Kind’ message shared on social media after Caroline’s death is an important one, and the media should work on being fair and accurate, not just click-bait central.
It seems, however, that as time has gone on the media still hasn’t learned (will it ever?).
The Jonny Depp and Amber Heard court case has produced an uproar of outrage from many, after the UK courts declared him guilty of being a “wife-beater”. He was slandered all over the front pages of newspapers for allegedly abusing his ex-wife, with a media circus causing chaos outside the courts throughout the trial.
Now it can only be judged through assumption that Depp’s state may be different to Flack’s, but how are any of us to know? Why when it comes to reporting we don’t just dictate the facts in which the publics interest lies and leave everyone to decipher it and judge for themselves how they feel? Turning such a large audience against one person, especially before hard-evidence and facts are confirmed, is a perilous action that can result in the downfall of said person.
As Frost (2016: 93) once wrote: ‘Privacy is recognised by psychologists as a basic human need’, so it’s a journalists duty to respect this’.
Now, this one is a bit overdue, but I’ve finally gotten around to penning my review of Emily Maitlis’ ‘autobiography’: ‘Airhead’.
I use the word autobiography reluctantly, as it’s not a compendium encapsulating her childhood and personal trials, but rather a polished set of professional anecdotes and tales from her journalistic journey, each chapter containing a more insightful and intriguing story than the other.
Some books just help pass the time, some provide entertainment throughout a holiday or make for good company during cosy solo evenings and some have me anxiously turning the pages as I’m clenched in its suspenseful grip. But there is the occasional bound bundle of joy that provokes a deeper response, a remarkable piece that sparks a glimmer of inspiration into your life. This of course is different for everyone. For me, this beacon was from Newsnight presenter and BBC regular, Emily Maitlis.
‘Airhead’ was the first book I bought when I arrived at uni. I was a nervous fresher pondering the bookstores, carrying out the tiresome task of compiling my reading list collection, when I stumbled across the cover on the display table. Ah! Surely this would class as related content to accompany my journalism degree, what better reading material than tales from an experienced and renowned journalist- of whom I was already a fan of. So, procrastinating as ever from the task in hand, I bought the book and added it to the pile.
What I didn’t realise when I bought this book was just how much it would motivate me and push me closer towards my journalistic goals. Maitlis masters a compelling capture of the hectic no-life schedule of an in-demand and constantly on duty journalist, proving just how much work goes into the career.
Maitlis manages to encapsulate the essence of what it’s like to be a jet-setting journalist, whose job never quits. The joys, the tears, the stress, and the unpredictably of where her job will take her next, and the subsequent races back home for family events (especially to make it back in time for a birthday outing to a llama farm…).
She dedicates the book to being a collection of some of her biggest interviews she’s conducted, and what goes into producing these pieces for TV. The broadcasting life is arguably more chaotic than the print world and less freeing, as Maitlis even states in her introduction: “Unlike print there is no room for annotation or commentary as you go along. What appears on the screen is what people see. Everything else is just interpretation”. But that’s what makes it exciting.
Throughout the book, you’re taken on Maitlis’ journey. From rushing to Budapest to cover the migrant crisis, to getting a last-minute Eurostar to report on the Paris terrorist attacks, with a stop off at some point to interview the Dalai Lama in the prestige suite of an airport hotel, it just doesn’t stop. Some interviews reveal her softer side, such as her wonder at David Attenborough and his tales, whereas Donald Trump proves to be strictly business as usual- no matter what he may think.
You get such vivid imagery from Maitlis’ recounts, and find you’ll find yourself wondering how someone can do this when most of these events were carried out with little to no sleep (one of the few reluctances I have about a career in broadcast).
Things don’t always go to plan, as is the nature of a job when you work for the nations most watched broadcasting outlet, but Maitlis proves it’s how it’s handled that matters, even when she’s preparing for a guest appearance alongside Alan Partridge. Some stories provoke a deeper response, such as her openness about the stalking case that has plagued her for years. Her ability to write in a professional yet conversational tone can help you gauge the sense of reluctancy in her telling, making it even more personal and poignant.
A reason this book took me so long is because I used it almost as a reference rather than a novel read. Albeit at times I couldn’t put it down (reading about Maitlis being arrested in Cuba was just too gripping to stop), I found it comforting to have the book to always pick up and transport myself into Maitlis’ world alongside my own mundane in comparison life. I read other literature in the meantime, but when I wanted to be taken back to the crazy camera-lidden land, it was nice to know I could.
I think I also had a sub-conscious fear about it ending, like all great things inevitably do. I didn’t want it to stop, so kept it in pursuit for a good few months before reluctantly admitting it was time to start the last chapter.
I would thoroughly recommend this book whether you have a penchant for the world of journalism, her tales alone make for a fascinating read, and with the plethora of famous figures from the Dalai Lama to David Attenborough, and Bill Clinton to Russell Brand, there’s someone for everyone and a story for all. You cannot fault her writing, and her style makes for such compelling reading. So, trust me, you won’t be bored at any point throughout your read of this book- well, it may even spark an inspiring and motivational chord of enlightenment for you too.
This week I decided to revisit the academic style of blogs I was writing for a module in the first year of my degree. I find a deep satisfaction in delving into a selection of different sources and reads, finding the fact and gaining some background knowledge on topics of interest. This week, I ventured into the world of sensationalist media, and the critical conundrums that engulf it.
The media holds a high level of power and authority. They deliver the news to the public and have the responsibility to deliver it accurately and responsibly. However, there have been times when all that the media does is create anxiety and panic for readers and viewers, through the delivery of exaggerated news and sensationalist media.
It’s been said that ‘Reporters are criticized for exaggerating the facts in the name of getting more newspaper subscriptions. Online journalists are accused of writing “clickbait” headlines to boost advertising sales’, (Halbrooks, 2019) Now more than ever, people are glued to news channels and are refreshing newsfeeds constantly to receive updates on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The constant stream of news can provide much needed information in these uncertain times, however they can also prove to be a burden and the bearer of fear as people live with the unknown. Broadcasters want to be the first to get the information out to the public, to be the ones known for getting you the information as soon as possible and as much as possible.
This causes questions to be raised about how reliable these constant facts are, as the scientific backing can be lacking due to the rush to get news out. The news can also feel overwhelming, as all you see across channels are stories relating to the pandemic. Of course, this is a huge unprecedented event, but having that constant wave of information can be a lot for some as it has well and truly taken over the news, with some news outlets having dedicated sectors to stories about the crisis, such as the BBC.
It’s an important lesson to choose your news sources carefully and think about which you actually trust compared to the ones you chose to believe. Scientific papers hold more credentials than the constant updates from a mainstreams news outlet.
Tabloids are renowned for their sensationalist language. ‘With a sensationalist approach and an easily digested mix of entertainment and news, it has often attracted mass audiences at the same time as it has stirred controversy and raised concern about its impact on public discourse’, (Johansson, 2020) Take The Sunand The Daily Mail, both tabloid papers have been more likely to use fear-inducing language to create that sensationalism for readers, with The Sun referring to the virus as a “deadly disease” as opposed to a ‘virus’ in the coronavirus liveblog.
Tabloids often are the ons responsible for sensationalist stories
Tabloids also tend to create hysteria in headlines, often for clickbait purposes online. ‘Basic journalistic principles like source verification, fact checking, and accountability can be easily bypassed or simply ignored by individuals or organisations publishing content on Twitter, Facebook or other social networks’, (Bourgonje, Schneider & Rehm, 2017). They focus on attracting audiences rather than informing them wisely. This encourages Trump’s favourite term, Fake News. It can often be about quantity over quality, which is dangerous for readers, especially amongst a pandemic. ‘Fake news is not new, but it’s never been so pervasive or harder to spot’, (COM library, 2020).
We cannot erase sensationalist media. It won’t happen, it’s always been around and will stay till the end of time. Yes, it shouldn’t be a shining glorification of panic and anxiety being provided to the public, but it’s a form of journalism that has become engrained in our society. Tabloids are simply a different form of writing, and it suits some readers more than others, just like most things. It shouldn’t be eradicated, just sometimes taken with a pinch of salt and dash of optimism.
After I finished pondering my reflections on the year’s mayhema question encompassed my mind: how did I not totally lose it? I mean, I could have easily let everything consume me and allow myself to succumb to the tragedy of it all- both in the world and my personal life.
Yet, I find myself surrounded by an eerie mist of calm…
I say eerie because something about it feels fake and alarming, like the climax of a cheap-scare horror film. It doesn’t quite feel real. Maybe because in the past I’ve conceded to staring at such a pessimistic reflection of myself, looking at the world with gloom-tainted glasses, that I never considered the possibility that I could actually take a more harmonious approach to life and my mental health, and draw myself away from such a melancholy bubble.
I’ve allowed anxiety and OCD to control my mindset to the extent that at times I find it strange to not have these thoughts fog my brain, and I could’ve easily let lockdown become a breeding ground for more destructive thoughts. But I didn’t. Instead, I developed a more positive approach to grounding my thoughts and chaotic mind, which is where this blogs topic really lies after all my babbling.
Instead of manifesting some complex coping mechanism to help deal with negativities and mental health lows, I kept it simple. Lots of people talk about how half an hour is a good time for an activity, such as walking (or in my case, sleeping), but I felt I needed to compress this further. I settled on 10 minutes to base my techniques.
I sat with my book of lists (oh I love a list, my favourite list book being Mrs Hinch’s Little Book of Lists) and started listing activities I could accomplish in 10 minutes. Something as simple as a 10-minute activity can help regain some calmness and clarity into the mind and body.
Writing the list was calming in itself, I really recommend doing one at the end of every day to set out what you want to do the next day, it puts everything into perspective and gives you a sense of accomplishment when you tick off a task.
After the inevitable HIIT workout, yoga session and breathing session, the idea of being restricted to minutes felt too limiting, so I just took the number an expanded.
I find a good way of deciding which ones to do can be by writing them down on several bits of paper and keeping them in a jar to randomly select one, making it a go-to for when those stressful moments hit.
This is what I came up with (and subsequently found resources for online):
10 pages read of a book (if you’re looking for some new reads have a little look at this list of recommendations from The Guardian)
10 songs to listen to: maybe make a playlist of particularly calming music to have some down-time, Spotify have some great ready-made playlists to suit all your moods and needs.
10 items coloured in a mindful colouring book/sheet
10 items to donate/give away (decluttering a room helps declutter your head I find)
10 to-dos ticked off
10 long breaths
10 minutes self-care (mine is lighting some candles in my room and doing my ritual skincare routine with a relaxing Spotify playlist, followed by a cup of green tea… oh who am I kidding? It’s a gin in front of my 100th Friends re-run)
10 minutes perfecting a new talent- pick up that instrument you’ve neglected or finish that drawing that you started
10 minutes learning something new ore revising- don’t put it off, speaking from experience it really does more harm than good
10 minutes talking to a friend or family member
10 lines written in a diary (noting your thoughts and addressing them to yourself can really help put things into perspective)
10 minutes playing or cuddling a pet (or any animal that will let you touch it and you have permission to do so)
10 small, slow sips of water- it gives you time to focus and hydrate simultaneously
10 friends or family members to reach out to (if you’re lucky to have that many). Just asking how a person is will no doubt cheer them up and also make you feel better for checking in.
10-minute nap (ok so this one will almost inevitably take longer, unless you’re a complete power-nap master, unlike myself who will be asleep for the rest of the day)
(And, yes, it would be more aesthetically pleasing if my list of 10 was actually 10 points, but what can you do?)
So, there’s my list. It’s not some ground-breaking set of suggestions ready to change your life, I’m not claiming it to be in anyway. It’s what I said at the start: simple.
By taking on short and sweet tasks and activities throughout the day, we can help settle our minds and put those restless thoughts at ease. It doesn’t require tons of discipline, just the willingness to want to help yourself take control if you feel overwhelmed with it all- and let’s be honest, 2020 has given us a plethora of reasons to feel just that.
Next time you find yourself wanting to hide under your duvet or drown your sorrows into a family pack of chocolate (or if you’re like me, a litre of gin), or if your mind is just simply in override and can’t handle anymore, pick an activity or randomly select one, and just concentrate on that. Let your mind dust away the craziness of life for just 10 minutes and let yourself breathe- we all need to.
Gabriela Page Here is a nice calming image I took in Marrakech on a sunrise hot air balloon trip- waking up at4am wasn’t as calming, but worth it
Ok brace, I apologise this is a rather long blog entry, but stick with me…
Lockdown may not have been the start to the new decade anyone had hoped for, but here in the UK with our notorious ‘keep calm and carry on’ mentality, we’ve managed to persevere through (just about).
We’re starting to begin the final leg of 2020, and it feels like we’ve fast-forward through the decade, compressing years’ worth of chaos into one monstrous year, whilst cautiously acknowledging that it could just all combust at any given moment.
The last few months have certainly taken their toll on the world. We started the New Year off with #worldwar3 trending on Twitter, then Australia was devastated with a bushfire crisis, all this shortly followed by Britain officially leaving the EU– and this was just January. Behind the scenes, a new virus started spreading at an exponential rate from Wuhan, and soon coronavirus had most of the world in lockdown, leading to a ‘new normal’ of social distancing and hand-sanitizer for birthday presents (that showed those who laughed at me for always having a bottle of 70% pure magic in tow). Add in the ‘murder hornets’ in the US, locusts in India and Africa, the UK’s biggest recession in history and now TikTok being banned in the US, and it’s fair enough to say it really hasn’t been the best year in the books. This is also just what’s burdening the world, not taking into account peoples own problems, grief and worries. But is it fair to say that we should just write off the year? I’d argue not. Just hear me out…
When I did a headless chicken-style panic pack of my university halls on March 23rd, cramming my parent’s car full of pasta and booze (amongst the other uni essentials), I didn’t honestly think that was going to be the end to my first year. ‘Surely this virus will come and go like the others’, I thought.
Deep down I knew this was more serious than past outbreaks, but the longing to reclaim my student life and not share a bathroom with my family again so soon had me swallowed in a sense of false-hope and denial. I was going through the stages, grieving my new-found freedom, as the inevitable abrupt end encroached.
Moving back home put things into a fresh perspective to me and had me thinking of the serious matters, such as ‘how did I ever manage to share a space with my family before uni’-my ensuite was but a mere memory at this point.
Dogs also help the transition back home- don’t think Bertie was too impressed with this look though…
No matter how much I joked about the probability of us leaving this lockdown collectively wanting to murder each other, I did have a positive outlook on it, several weeks/months figuratively locked in a house with my family may do us some good. A chance to spend some quality time together, annoy each other suitably and most importantly, learn the true value of patience… ahhh, this I did.
I’ll spare the details, but let’s just say no matter how dreary I may have imagined this lockdown being, I don’t think even my wildest imagination could’ve topped the reality. I said at the start of those few months, there’ll be two professions who will benefit from this pandemic: therapists and divorce lawyers, and let’s just say, I think both fit the bill for my time spent indoors.
In the dreary few months that would ultimately lead to my parent’s divorce, I was given more time than I’d like to sit with my own thoughts and reflect about the whole matter. In what hasn’t been the prettiest end of marriages, I feel there’s still some good I can take from it, and these may even serve as mantras in your own lives (please bear with what may seem an unconvincing positive tone, I promise I’m serious).
I discovered I’m a teeny bit stronger than I thought I was-physically as well as mentally. Weights were my most beneficial of the lockdown purchases, and there were many, but that’s another story.
I can sometimes put myself first. After beating myself up for so long and making putting others first a priority, I realised it’s ok to be selfish and admit I can’t handle some things and focus on what’s best for me.
You don’t need societies stereotypical definition of the ‘perfect family’, you can be a strong unit regardless of how many of you there are.
It’s ok to ask for help, in fact it’s encouraged, some people have some really good advice if you seek it, don’t get me wrong not everyone does, some people have crap advice to give, but some are good., so why not find out?
Finally, a negative story doesn’t have to have a negative ending. This one took me the longest to realise, but once I did, it helped lift a bit of a weight off of me. I didn’t have to see the end of my parents’ marriage as the end of the world, just a new way of life, just how Covid has taught us. I don’t have to sit and feel sorry for myself, I can channel those crappy few months and turn it into something positive, by throwing my energy into my work (as the one reading this I’ll let you decide if that’s a good or bad thing).
So where was I going with all this? Oh right, yes, the world has seemed outlandish and cruel this year- even if your personal life has been more favourable. But do we ever get anywhere without a little hardship? The biggest triumphs can spout from the darkest of times, making them even more victorious.
Think of what we would’ve missed had life gone on as usual? We would never have come out to clap for our carers on a Thursday, showing the NHS a mere fraction of the recognition, it deserves. We wouldn’t have truly realised how we take seeing family and friends for granted. We wouldn’t have created better hygiene habits. We wouldn’t have exercised with Joe Wicks and upped our fitness levels- balanced with a healthy dose of your 100th slice of banana bread. We wouldn’t have spent as much time at home with our loved ones (I’ll get back to you on that one, it’s still a 50/50 for me…). We wouldn’t have learned how to master the perfect sourdough or play a new instrument. But importantly, Zooms shares wouldn’t have mounted as high as they have.
Sure, it wasn’t all so jubilant, but where we’ve suffered and lost this year, we have also learnt what’s important in life, and in my humble opinion, that’s a pretty positive thing to come out of 2020 with.
It’s a warm, sunny day in Cardiff, as I stroll along the cobbled pavement opposite Cardiff Castle. The whole city seems to be making out and about the most of this rare glimpse of sunshine in September.
I arrive at Queens Arcade and find the small high street shop ‘Rule of Play’ tucked away in the corner.
When I enter, the first thing that hits me is just the sheer amount of board games that line the shop. Now I’ve played quite a few intense games of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and Hungry Hungry Hippos with my family and friends in the past, but I didn’t know just how many there were.
All the games are arranged in a meticulous fashion, ready to be picked up from shelves for friends and families to battle it out against each other with.
I make my way through the shop, walking past two men debating what sounds like something to do with the Game of Thrones finale, until I reach the back. When I arrive at the counter, I’m greeted with a cheerful smile from manager Dyfed, who hands over the running of the shop temporarily to his colleague, as we step aside for a chat.
I’m keen to talk to Dyfed not only about the shop, but about the relevance of board games in today’s society. With companies producing technologically advanced consoles, such as Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo, is there still a place for the simplicity of an old-fashioned boardgame? Dyfed thinks so. ‘I think there’s definitely enough interest in boardgames these days to make them relevant. We find that with adults especially, people are re-discovering old favourites, and then once they relive the fun of a game, they then go on to discover new ones and seek more board games, re-igniting that enthusiasm they had for them when they were younger’.
News publications seem to be picking up on the interest in boardgames too, as Dyfed says how the Guardian and the BBC, two major news outlets, have been into the shop to find out about the ‘board gaming boom’. “It’s quite surreal when we have all these reporters from nationwide news programmes and newspapers coming to talk about board games. I think it does just go to show that there is the interest, and when there’s interest from some it sparks interest from others, helping board games reach a wider audience.”
TV shows and films also seem to have taken notice of the increased popularity of classic games, with the releases ‘Taskmaster: The Board Game’, ‘Friends Monopoly’ and ‘Lord of the Rings chess’. This just goes to show how it’s an industry which major companies see a lot of profit to be made from.
“They’re also helping new generations discover board games. Teenagers get excited over seeing a millennial obsession on a new product and will likely buy anything with that thing on it. For example seeing a ‘Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit’, for example, so that’s helping them discover a classic and go on to interact with the games more, rather than just go and play Grand Theft Auto!”
Dyfed’s spoken of how the help of the media has helped business along with the wider board game industry in general, and this shows in the figures. The board game industry is forecasted to be worth over £9bn by 2023. This huge increase could be down to people caring less about what others think, and realising it isn’t ‘uncool’ to be seen playing a game that doesn’t have to be downloaded onto a device.
“There’s definitely less of a stigma surrounding the games, and it’s not seen as absurd to be playing a game in a pub or café, as people are re-discovering how fun they can be and how it can help bring people together.”
I suddenly realise the increase in noise in the shop, and when I glance up I can’t help but be surprised at the number of customers browsing, chatting enthusiastically about the games and picking up boxes to examine the different options and varieties on offer. There’s just so many to choose from, I know I’d get lost!
“I think what makes our shop so popular with game board fans is that all the staff are gaming enthusiasts, who are always more than happy to help people find what they’re looking for or try something new. We run game nights and social where we can all get together over some drinks and a board game, and I think that really shows the sense of community here and gives us a place to bond over a board game.”
One final thing I’m keen to talk to Dyfed about is whether or not this surge in board games really is a new thing, or whether it’s just gaining attention now as people have become more aware of it.
“Yes, the board game industry is a growing market, but it always has been. And yes, they are being played more now, but they always have been. I think 10 years ago there was an explosion, but now it’s like everyone is behind the times. Board games have always had their place, but as people are becoming less afraid of how cool or uncool it is, more people are hearing about it. So yes, I think it’s peaking at the moment, but the real surge has already happened.
“I’m really excited to see where the future takes us as a shop, and board games themselves. Who knows? They may become more popular than the Xbox one day!”
Dyfed’s infectious enthusiasm for his passion and bubbling personality can’t help but leave me feeling uplifted, as I thank him for his time and make my way out of the now packed shop.
Things are only looking up for not only the games industry, but for ‘Rules of Play’. Not only has it benefited from the boom in the board games market, but it has also been included in the City of Arcades Top 10, due to its welcoming staff and it’s wide and varied collection of games on offer. It certainly is a hidden gem in the heart of Cardiff.
Visit ‘Rules of Play’ at 29 Castle Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BW
Hannah Corns showcasing her work at the Cardiff Christmas markets
A Cardiff-based University of South Wales graduate is growing her business and making statements about society through ethical fashion.
Hannah Corns, 23, graduated in 2018 with a degree in fashion from the university, and was keen to start making her mark in the industry. In her final year, she thought about what she wanted to do after her degree and turned her talent and focus to tackling issues in today’s society.
In university, she found that some of her friends from Europe felt unwanted and unwelcome, with issues such as Brexit causing ongoing problems. After seeing this, she realised she wanted to use her talents to create a fashion brand that would bring people together. As a result, Humanos was born.
Humanos, Portuguese for ‘human’, started in 2019, and gave Corns the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for fashion and topical society issues. She describes the company as ‘Hand-crafted designs inspired by our perception of western society’.
Each t-shirt is ethically sourced, 100% cotton and the illustrations are hand-drawn, taking between 40 minutes to an hour to create. Also aware of the ongoing global warming issues, Corns uses recycled materials where possible.
Each abstract design carries an individual message to do with humanitarian work, and the idea is to help bring people back together again, despite all the problems caused in society. One of her most popular designs, called ‘The Exaggerated Face’, has been designed in a way in which you can’t quite tell what it is due to a lack of detail and its abstract form. The idea behind this is that it represents how the government look at people as a collective and fail to see individualism.
Corns has said, “Each design is hand-drawn, so that they carry their own characteristics and their own features, helping to represent how everyone should be appreciated and recognised for their individualistic qualities.”
Her mother has spoken of her delight at what Hannah’s achieving, and has said “We’re so proud that she is speaking out for what she believes in, in a way that allows her do what she loves and continue with her creativity. It just shows that you can make your voice heard no matter what you chose to do.”
In a society which can seem so divided these days, with Brexit along with threats of war and climate disasters, Humanos stands as one of the beacons of hope. It helps represent the young people who have a voice, who speak out against the restraints of society, and who are calling for change.
My full interview with Hannah can be found on YouTube here, and you can find Humanos creations by following the link to Etsy.com here
Russia may not strike you as a top holiday destination- it most certainly isn’t a relaxing beach getaway. However, there is so much to explore, learn and see, which is why you shouldn’t rule it out as your next adventure abroad.
Before making your way to Russia there’s the case of the visa. You’re required to answer 112 questions about yourself, your past, family etc. Be prepared to think about where your parents were born, your holiday insurance details and a list of all your social media accounts- yes, really. Once you’ve answered all questions, you’ll need to pay a visit to the Russian embassy in London, to present your form along with your fingerprints to be recorded then sent off for approval. After a few days the visa arrives in the post and you’re good to go!
To get you there, a return flight from Heathrow to Moscow will take you around 4 hours each way and will set you back around £270-£330 each for the most basic fare on British Airways. As with anything, this depends how far in advance you book- I recommend booking at least 4 months in advance if you’re looking for a more sensibly priced fare.
Accommodation varies a lot, depending on your budget. The 5* Hotel Kempinski averages on £204 per room per night for the early booker bed and breakfast rate. Full of elegant chandeliers and intricate designs, it makes for quite a grand stay. If you’re looking to stick to a tighter budget, the 2* Winterfell Paveletskaya Hotel has budget double rooms starting at £12 per night. It’s always worth having a look at different hotel sites to find the right one for you.
Starting with Moscow, some of the most famous attractions are the grandest, naturally. The must-sees are: The Kremlin, the red square, park VDNKh, St. Saviour’s Cathedral, St. Basil’s cathedral and Gorky Park. They represent the best of Russian architecture, design and grandeur.
St Basils Cathedral, Moscow
One things for sure, you can’t visit Moscow and not visit the metro. It sounds dull, but oh it is the opposite I can assure you. The grand designs, infrastructure and sheer detail is fascinating., and you can hop on a train every 2 minutes, making it so easy to get around.
A metro station, Moscow
Now whilst you’re in Russia, you must visit the once capital, St Petersburg. The city boasts equally impressive attractions and has a bit more colour and liveliness to it. An alternative to flying that I’d highly recommend is taking the Grand Express, an overnight train that takes you to the city in just over 9 hours. It’s definitely a tight squeeze, not good for claustrophobics, but great fun and I’d highly recommend this for the experience and laughs- plus you don’t get stuck in security checks!
The 4* Pushka Inn, which averages on £109.58 per room per night for bed and breakfast, is a quirky boutique hotel, and will be very comfortable for your stay. If looking for a smaller price tag, then the Churchill Hotel offers rooms starting at only £7 per night.
Just some of St. Petersburg’s top sights include: The Hermitage museum, Faberge eggs, Peterhof Palace, Catherine Palace and the Cathedral of Spilt Blood. These are all musts when visiting the city and I guarantee you’ll be amazed at the sheer amount of gold and detail that has gone into some of these buildings, and the fascinating collections in the museums.
A Faberge egg, St. Petersburg
Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg
Russian delicacy is very varied and definitely worth sampling. From Syrniki, sweet cheesecake-like pancakes, to Pelmeni, meat dumplings, there’s something for everyone. A great dinner stop for Russian cuisine would be ‘Terrassa’ in St. Petersburg, with a wide variety of food on the menu, top scenic views and a buzzing atmosphere, it’s a memorable dining experience. On average, you can get a good, authentic Russian meal for around £25 for two for a main and a drink each. Top tip- download the currency exchange app beforehand and calculate an estimate price of your meal using the menus laid out in front of the restaurant, it’ll save you hassle and money!
On average, pricing isn’t too steep. You’ll need Russian Roubles, which you can only get once in the country by withdrawing from an ATM. If buying souvenirs from the market stalls. Which line the streets in St, Petersburg, then be prepared to pay a bit more for your Russian doll than you would in a shop. However, the craftmanship that goes into them is of much better quality, and you’re supporting smaller businesses.
Cathedral of Spilt Blood, St. Petersburg
The weather is very similar to the UK. It’s often bitterly cold in winter, with snow gracing the grounds during colder months. However, I’d have to recommend travelling in August. It’s often pleasantly sunny, but still with a chill in the air, leaving you with the perfect mix.
I would recommend booking with a travel company when planning your trip. Russia is quite different from other countries, with its tight security and the language not being as universally known, it makes your trip a lot simpler by letting experts sort everything for you. Travel company Audley will book your flights, arrange transport, attraction tickets, tour guides and everything you could need or desire. It may cost a little more, but it’s certainly worth it to have the peace of mind that everything is sorted for you and correctly.
So, what are you waiting for? Start racking your brains, and get that Visa filled out!
Gabriela Page- Another nice positive, this pic I shot of the Morgan Arcade won a Christmas competition, Merry Christmas to me!
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