18 Comments
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Soph's avatar

I think SO many of us relate to this right now, and it's like you've taking these feelings right from inside my brain. Covid really did a number on so many of us around this age now, we never really returned to a life "before" because it was such a transitional stage.

I love what you've done with your Instagram account, I'm literally terrified to go on mine because it makes me so miserable. Maybe I'll have a cull and unfollow everyone I don't really care about lol.

Anyway let me send you some dates I can do!!!

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN!!!!! Thanks for being you 🫶

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Ella's avatar

I think Covid really changed the way we used our phones to maintain friendships and not necessarily for the better! It's taking such an effort to rebuild and correct the way we socialise.

Omg, I literally hadn't been on instagram since I was 18, and then the only reason I redownloaded was because one of my closest friends is bossing it on the radio and she posts links to the shows on there, and I didn't want to miss out, so I follow her, one other friend, my sister, and then a bunch of people from Bake Off. I highly recommend making a wholesome account if you want to keep insta around but eliminate the toxic vibes. It's been so fun since I did it, I just get cake and pictures of my actual friends, not strangers I saw once.

SO READY TO TAKE THIS FRIENDSHIP IRL

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Deavon's avatar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

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Ella's avatar

Thank you Deavon!! 💙

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Jo Fisher's avatar

Please, please let us know - did the coffee gals say yes?? 💕💐

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Ella's avatar

AGH JO THEY WERE ON HOLIDAY 😂😅 Never back down though, I'm trying again this weekend. Watch this space for an update!!

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Jo Fisher's avatar

Oh NO! What an anticlimax! I await further updates 🤞🏻

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Ella's avatar

Update update!! 😂😂 We swapped numbers, had an elderflower spritz, and a suuuper lovely chat, so this is your sign to befriend the nice barista

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Tamzin's avatar

I completely relate to this one, it's been so hard after Covid to force yourself to go out and maintain these relationships. Loved this piece!

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Ella's avatar

I'm so glad you could relate Tamzin! Thank you for commenting 💜

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Caroline Beuley's avatar

It can be so hard to get out of the routine of staying in, but I always feel so good when I do! Loved this piece Ella :)

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Ella's avatar

Thank you Caroline 🩷 always appreciate you reading!

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Ciara ★'s avatar

Ella you are smashing it with your pieces at the moment! Just reminds me I forgot to comment on the fashion one you did - I LOVED it. Everything you said in this piece is so true and relatable. I deleted my personal Instagram years ago too, and glad I did. When you mentioned those feelings of anxiety, clicking through people's stories it made me realise it must have been a universal feeling. I felt the same. Love your advice on how to connect and love the idea of buying flowers too! 💐

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Ella's avatar

Why thank you my love 💁🏼‍♀️ couldn't have gotten to the end of the piece without half the things you said in our other one lol, thank you for giving me the motivation to try!!!

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Harriet Toole's avatar

Adore this Ella!! I relate SO much. I’ve always preferred a small circle of friends, but often, I find myself feeling lonely and disconnected because some live far away or have totally different lives to me. I also deleted Instagram (for just a couple of months) but have recently re-downloaded it, and while I’m careful with how much I use it, I’m so happy to see my friends that way again! I LOVE how you’ve created an account with just those you care about - what a fab way to use it for what truly matters 👏🏻

Also, on another note, I recommend ‘Bumble for friends’ to a former work colleague who was struggling to meet people in her area after moving (admittedly, I’d never used it myself out of fear but had heard good things), and she now has 2 super close, genuinely connected friends from it!!

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Ella's avatar

Thank you Harriet!! I'm really happy this resonated, I think more of us feel like it than we realise and it's nice to know we're not alone. Honestly, using instagram on a tiny level is absolutely lovely, it really does make me wonder how on earth I ever got so wrapped up in the comparison of it all. You are the second person to recommend Bumble friends to me now, I feel like it's worth a try even just to see what it's like! Thank you so much <3

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Miranda's avatar

I'm so proud of you!!! I'm excited to see where this goes!

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Ella's avatar

Aw thank you Miranda!! Fingers crossed 🤞🏻🤞🏻

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