YouTube sensation Zoe Sugg joins Fearne to discuss anxiety, social media pressures, and the power of honesty. They talk about starting a career in content creation, theories and experiences of anxiety, fear and uncertainty in maintaining a successful career, and the impact of social media on self-worth. They also explore moments of fear and doubt, being a boss, and the importance of creating harmony.
Authenticity and relatable content helped Zoe Sugg gain traction and connect with her YouTube audience.
Acknowledging and understanding triggers is crucial for managing anxiety and panic attacks.
Being true to oneself and focusing on personal happiness is more important than seeking validation through social media metrics.
Deep dives
Zoe Sugg's YouTube Journey and Authenticity
Zoe Sugg, a YouTube sensation, discusses her journey and success on YouTube. She started with blogging and then expanded to making videos. Zoe's authenticity and openness about her experiences with anxiety and panic attacks resonated with her audience. She believes that talking about real and relatable topics stood out in the early days of YouTube and helped her gain traction and connect with her viewers. Zoe acknowledges the pressure of maintaining an online presence but remains committed to being true to herself and posting content she is passionate about.
Dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Zoe shares her experience with anxiety and panic attacks and how they intensified as her online career evolved. She discovered that certain situations, such as crowded places or feeling trapped, triggered her anxiety. Seeking help from a therapist and learning more about her triggers allowed her to better manage her anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and understanding one's triggers in order to find coping mechanisms that work. Zoe also talks about the fear of embarrassment related to anxiety and the added pressure of managing panic attacks in public settings.
Navigating Social Media and Overcoming Comparison
Zoe discusses the challenges of navigating social media, particularly Instagram, and the pressure to maintain a certain image. She acknowledges how easy it is to get caught up in comparison and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Zoe advocates for being mindful of the accounts you follow and unfollowing those that trigger negative feelings. She believes in staying true to oneself and embracing authenticity in the face of social media's glamorous portrayal of life. Zoe emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal happiness rather than seeking validation through social media metrics.
The Challenges of Being an Online Influencer
Being an online influencer comes with both positive and negative aspects. The speaker expresses how closely connected they are to their online brand, which can make them feel vulnerable and responsible. They mention feeling guarded and second-guessing their content due to the growing audience. While most feedback is positive, they acknowledge that negative comments can still affect them. They make an effort not to seek out negative comments, but recognize the impact they can have on their mental health. They also discuss the importance of being authentic online.
Struggles with Online Judgement and Self-worth
In the online space, people often make judgments based on snippets of one's life, such as Instagram posts. The speaker mentions how people use careless language when commenting on others, saying someone is 'too' something for what. They highlight the importance of realizing that these comments are just opinions and that one shouldn't take them to heart. They emphasize the need to detach oneself from the judgments of others and focus on being true to oneself. They also discuss the pressure to gain followers and likes, but express that these numbers do not determine their self-worth.