Women who inspire me #1 – Zoe Sugg | Zoella

Hey Guys.

So I have already posted today but that was a scheduled post and I suddenly got inspired and I really wanted to get this up.  I want to kick off a new segment on my blog; Women from social media who inspire me or perhaps Women who Inspire me… First up I decided I wanted to do YouTuber/blogger/ author/ business woman – Zoella aka Zoe Sugg. I chose Zoe first because 1) it’s her birthday today so I wanted to show my appreciation on her special day (also it’s my mums birthday but she beat my mum to this post hands down…kidding I love my mum but she’s not a social media star) and 2) I watch her everyday and she’s a big influence in my life.

If you’ve been following my blog for a little while you will probably know I am a fan of Zoella, I spoke about the hate she had received for her book club on a post back in November 2016 which still gets comments today; Lets discuss Zoella Book Club Hate? But today I want to focus on why I love Zoe and why I think she is an inspiration to many.

I’m currently 22 going on 23 this year, growing up YouTube wasn’t really a thing until much later in my life so I found inspirational women from those around me and magazines but something was missing. Someone like me.
I first started watching Zoe years ago and it was like a breath of fresh air. I finally had someone to look up to who seemed so like me, I could relate to her humour, experiences and most importantly for me – her Anxiety.

As you know I’ve suffered from Anxiety since I was 11/12 years old. I let it run my life for so long, I was told “it’s all in your head” and “just do it” whenever I had my worst moments. Then Zoe came along and she spoke about her anxiety and I was like wait, this woman here is so popular and she is like me? She has really bad days like me? and so I began questioning myself for the years I made myself feel ashamed of something I have no control over. Then she posted a video titled  ‘Sometimes it gets a bit all too much’, I’m not sure if that video is still online but it was basically a video of Zoe having a bad day. Again I fell in love with her,for her honesty and bravery to post it. She’s human, she’s normal and she’s down to earth.  One reason I look up to Zoe so much is she doesn’t hide, when she’s having an anxious day she’ll tell her viewers. She made me feel more normal with my Anxiety, she made me think about my situation and look at the negative people in my life and tell myself ‘you need to do whats best for you’ and that meant cutting some people out who were making my mental health worse.

My anxiety isn’t the only thing that made me love Zoe though. I find her whole journey inspiring. For those who don’t have blogs, or YouTube I can honestly say blogging alone is so time-consuming that I can’t imagine doing both… and vlogs, books, a superdrug line, book club and not forgetting have time for Alfie and Nala. (Ultimate family goals) Is Zoe really Wonder woman?  Super Woman? Nah she might have Hermione’s time turner necklace though…

Everyday I re-watch an old or new vlog of Zoes, keep up with Alfie’s latest vlogs and from both of them, I actually get the urge to make myself better. To make everyday count and to push myself. Like many of the people I have met through Blogging, both Zoe and Alfie made me want to start and continue to blog too. To put myself out there and use my love of books to do something I’ve always wanted to do.
My ultimate dream for after I’ve finished my degree is to do something with books, perhaps become an author, publisher. Someone who is inspiring to someone.
If I ever kick my Anxiety’s ass then even start a YouTube channel? Zoe started as a young girl in a small town (snap) so who knows where the future might lead. Just put your head down and concentrate on your dreams, work hard and we will get there.

Zoe’s latest book club is one example of something I find inspiring. Yes girl – thank you for promoting reading to more people. Imagine inspiring so many people to pick up a book and potentially change that person into someone who adores books.
I also love that her book club with WH Smith’s features books that have Diversity. One I really liked was Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella because I thought of the wider picture. I thought of the young people reading it and finding out about someone with Anxiety. Maybe then some other person wouldn’t have to go through the comments I went through, instead they would be met with understanding, compassion and love.

When I think of Zoe as being inspiring I think of her kindness to others, her love for her friends and family. How hard she works in everything she does and ultimately of how she hasn’t let her Anxiety stop her.

I tell so many people to check out Zoe’s videos because of her funny, honest, kind nature.

On the off-chance I ever got to interact with Zoe or Alfie I would say…

Thank you.
Thank you for the time you take to make your videos and put your lives out there for me and so many others to watch. Thank you for making my anxious days better, make me smile and make me dream. Thank you for writing stories and inspiring others to read and write. 
I can’t imagine what my life would be like without watching a Zalfie video each day. I wouldn’t be half the girl I am today, that’s for sure.  

Love Hannah. x

http://www.zoella.co.uk

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Who is a social media star that inspires you? Let me know in the comments!