Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Astrology: Your Most Asked Questions Answered
Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first introduction to spiritual practices, or the jaded expert looking for a new point of view on the topics, Magic Days guides readers through the wisdom of each day, helping them to channel the energy needed to truly thrive.
This is a guest post written by one of the internet’s leading Astrologers, Nadine Jane.
With over 240k followers on Instagram, Nadine’s aim is to make astrology accessible, relatable and beautiful. Her new book, Magic Days: Your Journey Through the Astrology, Numerology, and Tarot of Every Day of the Year, is a soulful read for anyone on the journey of self-discovery.
Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first introduction to spiritual practices, the lost soul who could use some direction in life, the jaded expert looking for a new point of view on the topics, the empathic people-reader who loves to understand others or the complete sceptic, Magic Days guides readers through the wisdom of each day, helping them to channel the energy needed to truly thrive.
In the most simple terms, Astrology is the study of the planets and their movements and how those movements impact each of us as individuals and as a collective. There is a common phrase used in the practice, “as above, so below”, implying that the sky is a direct reflection of our experience as human beings. A common question I get asked is, “how does Astrology work?” and while there are so many different ways of answering this question, the answer that resonates the most with me is the idea of synchronicity—that the earth is a part of the same energetic field as the planets above, intricately tying the stories of the planets to the stories of our lives.
Q: What is an astrological birth chart?
The natal chart, also known as the birth chart, is a picture of the sky and the planets at play the exact moment you were born. It provides a roadmap to understanding who you are on the most fundamental level, as well as your biggest roadblocks and highest potential. It explains your personality, dreams, hopes, desires and the future. It will tap into your greatest strengths, weaknesses, and all of the hidden talent that you can access with awareness. The birth chart is in my eyes the most crucial tool in astrology, as it gets us out of popularised sun-sign astrology and into the heart of what astrology is about. Your chart is your unique astrological thumbprint. If you are interested in looking up your birth chart, you will have to track down your birth time, and plug in your birth information (date of birth, time of birth, and location of birth) into an online chart generator like TimePassages or astro-charts.com.
It is not uncommon for folks to not entirely relate to their Sun sign (the sign based on one’s birthday), for a myriad of reasons. The first is that no person is as simple as one sign—there are many planets that influence the personality and traits of an individual, however the Sun sign has been so popularised by Western media culture that it has overshadowed the importance of others planets like the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and while not a planet, the Rising Sign. These other parts of the chart more than likely don’t all fall into the same sign as your Sun sign, explaining why you might not feel too identified with that one sign. The second reason is that without a lot of in depth research into one’s particular Sun sign, it is far too easy to only hear generalisations and even stereotypes about one’s sign. For example, in popular culture, the sign of Gemini gets a bad reputation for being unreliable and even two-faced, so of course one shouldn’t want to identify with that sign! That is why books and credible apps are so useful when it comes to understanding and relating to one’s chart.
Q: What is a Rising sign?
Let’s say you’re an Aries and you meet another Aries…but you couldn’t be more different. That is where your birth chart comes in. They could be an Aries with a Cancer Rising, making them much more reserved and shy than you. You could be an Aries with a Leo Moon, making you much more creatively expressive than the average Aries. No person is as simple as one sign. The Rising sign is the sign at dawn on the Eastern horizon at the exact moment you were born, defining quite literally how you dawn upon people; your first impression. It explains why you may be super shy and timid upon first impression or have a desire to work the room and control the conversation when you are first meeting others. The Rising sign also helps explain your role within the family or your best survival mechanism growing up. Some of us learned to be perfect and useful growing up; we may have a Virgo Rising. Some of us learned to be nurturing and self-protective growing up; we may have a Cancer Rising. And some of us learned to be fiercely independent and self-assured; we may have an Aries Rising. The Rising sign is a very crucial part of the birth chart in regards to understanding our instincts and purpose, perhaps as important if not more important than your Sun sign.
Image Credit: @nadinejane_astrology
Q: What signs am I compatible with in astrology?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this pertinent question. Compatibility in astrology, otherwise known as synastry, is a hugely complex subject and requires a great amount of nuance. However, there are some simple tools for understanding compatibility, like using the elements (fire, earth, air and water) of each sign. The signs that share the same element, generally speaking, have an easier time getting along because they share similar qualities. So say you’re a Taurus, an earth sign, you will have some degree of flow and ease with Virgo and Capricorn, the other two earth signs. Say you’re an Aries, a fire sign, you will have some degree of flow and ease with Leo and Sagittarius, the other two fire signs. Say you’re a Cancer, a water sign, you will have some degree of flow and ease with Scorpio and Pisces, the other two water signs. And lastly, say you’re a Gemini, an air sign, you will have some degree of flow and ease with Libra and Aquarius, the other two air signs. However, if you are looking to dive deep and understand the compatibility between you and say your romantic partner, working with a trainer astrologer would be highly recommended.
Q: What are The Houses in astrology?
The 12 Houses are the invisible divisions within the sky, each ruling over some important aspect of our lives. These houses help astrologers understand where a planet was in the sky when you were born (for example, was it above or below the horizon line?) and how its position influences how that planet will manifest in your birth chart. For example, your Sun in Aries could be in the 9th House, a house of higher education and philosophy, making you fearlessly ambitious when it comes to chasing higher truths and understanding the world around you. The Houses add an extra layer of depth to each planet and sign, explaining the best environment for that planet to flourish in.
Q: What do the 12 Houses rule?
1. The First House Rules
Quite literally how you dawn on people; your first impression
Your external identity
Your appearance
How you approach life
Childhood coping mechanisms
2. The Second House Rules
Money & Personal Income
What you value and why
Your relationship (or lack thereof )
with the physical world and your body
What grounds you
3. The Third House Rules
Your intellectual and personal comfort zone
Siblings, friends, and neighbours
Your childhood neighbourhood
Your ideal social activities
4. The Fourth House Rules
Your definition of home
Your true roots
Family and ancestors
The hidden, less authoritative parent
Your personal history
5. The Fifth House Rules
Your creativity
True love and passing love affairs
Fertility
Your truest self-expression
Personal drama
6. The Sixth House Rules
Work service
Personal health & fitness
Daily habits and routines
Your sense of usefulness
7. The Seventh House Rules:
Partnership (platonic and romantic)
How we share and topics of equality
Marriage, contracts,
Interpersonal dynamics
The things we can gain from trusting others
8. The Eight House Rules
Sex, death and rebirth
Merging and deep intimacy
Shared finances, debt and inheritance
Mystery and transcendence
9. The Ninth House Rules:
Long-term and distant travel
Wisdom and philosophy
Your relationship with higher education
Religion and spiritual institutions
Ethics and moral values
10. The Tenth House Rules:
Our public image
Historical relationship with authority figures, including parents
Topics of career, fame and honour
Our personal expertise
Long-term goals
11. The Eleventh House Rules:
Groups, networks, clubs
Our sense of community
Our relationship to social justice
Philanthropy
Our hopes and wishes for the collective future
12. The Twelfth House Rules:
Your inner world
Personal privacy
Dreams, subconscious beliefs
Karma
Deeply personal relationship to spirituality
Q: What if I want to learn more about astrology?
Start by discovering your birth chart! You can look it up on apps like TimePassages or sites like astro-charts.com. From there, you can begin researching more about each sign that you have in your birth chart. There is a ton of free information out there if you are willing to dig a bit. And lastly, if you want to dive head-first into understanding your chart, book a reading with a professional astrologer.
The Advent Calendars Actually Worth Splurging on This Festive Season
Here at Zoella we're keen advocates of the 'treat yourself' mindset, and reaching the end of the year is a feat we consider worth celebrating. Which advent calendar is top of your wish list this year?
Oh December, how we love you. Whether it be the endless availability of sweet treats (a few Celebrations with your morning coffee? Sure why not) or the fact that rainy days feel a little more magical when the streets glow from fairy lights in every window, there’s a reason that Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of the year.
If that wasn’t enough, receiving a small treat every morning ‘just because’ is surely next on the list of reasons to look forward to the month of December. From food indulgence to new-in beauty, wellness delights to alcoholic treats, 2022’s luxury advent calendar offerings are once again making the classic Cadbury’s calendar feel a little measly in comparison…
Here at Zoella we’re keen advocates of the ‘treat yourself’ mindset, and reaching the end of the year is a feat we consider worth celebrating. Which advent calendar is top of your wish list this year?
Grub’s Up! How to Make a *Chef’s Kiss* Roast Dinner at Home
From time-saving hacks to tips on how to get crispy roast potatoes, succulent meats and glorious gravy, here’s how to make your homemade roast sing according to professional chefs.
Few meals have the potential to divide families quite like the traditional Sunday lunch. Tough meat, average roast potatoes, watery gravy and soggy veg – send help. It’s a high-stakes meal plenty of us would sooner leave in the hands of the country pub professionals, even if it does cost £1K a head these days.
Unless you’ve got Remy the rat under your hat, tugging your hair and telling you how to massage your beef (IYKYK), you might be in the market for some tips and tricks from these culinary wizards at large.
From time-saving hacks to tips on how to get crispy roast potatoes, succulent meats and glorious gravy, here’s how to make your homemade roast sing according to professional chefs.
The Timings
For many, the most daunting thing about cooking a roast for many mouths is the fact that everything needs the oven at the same time, often at varying temps. So how do you fool-proof your Sunday lunch, ensuring that everything stays warm?
Cook the Yorkshires early, and once cooked, flip them upside-down on a cooling rack and reheat for a minute right before serving. Lewis Glanvill
“Juggling oven space at the crucial last few minutes is always a challenge. A couple of tricks I use is to cook the Yorkshires early, and once cooked, flip them upside-down on a cooling rack and reheat for a minute right before serving. Cauliflower cheese can also be cooked through and left to rest and then grilled in the top oven just before serving. Beef benefits from being cooked up to an hour before serving, and then wrapped in tinfoil and then a tea towel. This will tenderise the meat and maximise the resting juices to add to your gravy. This also leaves room for full attention on getting the perfect roast potatoes.”
The Vegetables
PSA veggies don’t have to be the boring component of a roast dinner. There’s plenty of scope to add festive flair and flavour to carrots, cabbage and yep, even the divisive sprout.
For elevating your carrots, Lewis recommends a paper bag… hear the man out.
“I love to serve everything in what it’s cooked in, where possible. This adds colour and something different to the aesthetics at the dinner table. Often at Christmas I will cook the carrots in a parchment paper bag, here you can impart so many festive flavours into the carrots like cinnamon, anise, clove, bay, mulled cider or even masala. Create a pouch with folded parchment paper and bulldog clips, and then fill the bag with carrots, aromatic spices and a splash of liquid, seal it up with another bulldog clip and bake. You can make up your bags the day before and throw them in the oven on the day. The theatrics always go down well too, as you can open them at the table to release a plume of festive steam.” See! Witchcraft.
When it comes to adding a festive flair to your Sunday feast, consider spiced red cabbage old news. “Braised red cabbage has been done a lot and personally it’s not my favourite,” says Lewis. This Head Chef has something better under his hat…
Another of my favourite festive touches is cooking with mulled cider. Lewis Glanvill
“I like to keep it raw as a slaw with creme fraiche, horseradish & dill folded through it. I prefer the texture and it adds a much needed lightness to counterpart all the roasted and braised ingredients. Arguably, it’s better the next day in a leftover sandwich with some cold roast meat. Another of my favourite festive touches is cooking with mulled cider. I like to simply tear white cabbage leaves into half or quarters quite roughly, put them in a hot pan with mulled cider, put the lid on and then shake until just steamed through before mixing through butter and lots of black pepper.”
You might think it outrageous to pollute your roast dinner with sprouts but you know what, it’s 2023 and it’s time we stopped hating on these traditional greens. Even if they do have certain unwanted side effects, ahem.
So what is the secret to making them actually taste good? Enter Lewis.
“Roasted all the way. Simply cut them in half and roast at a high temperature with heaps of olive oil and flaky salt. The outer leaves will caramelise and produce a nutty, smokey flavour with little crispy bits that border on salty. Alternatively, you can roast them with butter and sage leaves and add a sprinkle of chilli flakes when they come out. For the real sprout haters, I shred them down on a food processing slicing attachment or very carefully with a knife, scrunch in salt to break them down slightly and then mix through Caesar dressing and cover with crispy garlic breadcrumbs and parmesan.”
The Roast Potatoes
One way to Transform your Sunday roast from barely-edible to a triumphant family feast that leaves your guests rubbing their bellies and dabbing their beards? Roast potatoes. If you can get one thing right, let it be your roast spuds. Right Lewis?
“Parboiling is an important step, and shouldn’t be missed! It’s what makes the potatoes so light and fluffy on the inside. Also by cooking them you can really shake and rough up the edges to increase the surface area and get all those lovely golden crispy bits you couldn’t otherwise get. The trick once they’re boiled is to strain and leave them in the colander for a minute or two to really dry them out because the moisture will stop them going crispy quickly. As mentioned this can be done as far as the night before, so it’s even easier.
It’s important to take care in turning the potatoes every 15 minutes so they are fully coated in oil on every side, that’s how you get the perfect golden crisp that is almost see-through. Lewis Glanvill
“Hot oil is also crucial – start roasting high, you need them to be shocked by the hot oil to form that delicious crust we all love. You don’t want to try and turn them 15 minutes later to find them still mushy. I start with 215c and then every 15 minutes turn it down by 15c. It’s important to take care in turning the potatoes every 15 minutes so they are fully coated in oil on every side, that’s how you get the perfect golden crisp that is almost see-through. We’re roasting high, so I use a mix of vegetable oil and olive oil because olive oil can burn at high temperatures. Finally the best way to elevate your potatoes easily is by adding flavours in the last 10 minutes of cooking. This could be rosemary sprigs and thin slices of orange, or lemon slices and sage leaves. The citrus skin caramelises and the hard herbs crisp and smoke, imparting flavour and colour to the table.”
After all this time, we finally know where we’ve been going wrong. Shocked roast potatoes not *shocking* roast potatoes. Got it.
Roast chicken
“Chicken has always been tricky to roast to perfection. With different parts, breasts and legs needing different times and temperatures, an all encompassing recipe is nearly impossible. However the following tips will help you on your way to a better bird,” says Ben Ebbrell, Co-Founder and Chef at Sorted Food, the world’s leading online food and cooking community.
“Buy the best you can afford – Quality chicken really does win over quantity. Whether it be free range, free to roam or a barn bird, not only the texture but also the flavour will be much improved by focusing on the quality of raw ingredients.
For the best crispy chicken skin you need dry skin. Ben Ebbrell
“Cooking a chicken so that the breasts don’t dry out while making sure the legs cook through and are tender is always hard. That’s why I tend to rarely roast a whole chicken. It is far easier to cook a bird once it has been jointed into separate portions. You can control the cooking of each part better as well as them cooking quicker as you can spread the chicken out so that the heat reaches each bit better. For the best crispy chicken skin you need dry skin. When you buy your chicken it’s invariably going to be wrapped in plastic. The first thing you should do (If you have space) is to unwrap the chicken and very lightly season the skin of the bird. This will allow the skin to dry out as the chicken sits in the fridge which will in turn help with the skin crisping up when you roast it. Just make sure it’s at the bottom of your fridge to avoid any juices dripping on food below.”
Where it all begins: The roux
A roux – a mixture of fat and flour – will not only help to thicken up the sauce but will also provide a creaminess. To make it, you’ll need a tablespoon of butter and flour, and the leftovers in your roasting tin. Whisk until brown and pour in either stock or white wine, according to your taste, in order to thicken up the gravy.
Let the roasting tin do all the hard work
Roast your meat (this works particularly well with chicken) with lots of white wine, stock, onion, thyme, garlic, lemon and butter in a roasting tin. When you remove your meat or veggie alternative, you’ll be left with the perfect gravy. Simply whisk the juices over medium heat and add flour to thicken the gravy up. Strain to achieve a smooth, lump-free gravy.
Glorious Gravy
Whatever meat or plant-based roast you fancy, the importance of gravy cannot be ignored.
Of course, gravy can be whipped up in seconds with granules but with a few neat tricks such as making the most of the juices in your roasting tin and calling on some store cupboard essentials, you can easily create a gravy that’s packed full of depth and flavour, no granules necessary.
These quirky tips and simple recipes from Sophie Nahmad, Chef at recipe box service, Gousto, will help you elevate your roast with a top-notch gravy in no time.
Try adding Marmite
You either love it or hate it. Well, nobody can hate Marmite in gravy because you won’t know it’s there, but the gravy will be rich and packed full of umami flavour. This is a great way to make a vegan or vegetarian gravy too.
SERVES 2
PREP:
5 MINS COOK:
5 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1 stock cube of choice
2 tsp marmite
Leftover oil, or scrapings from your roasting tin
2 tbsp of flour
Dissolve the stock cube and marmite in 450ml boiled water
Place the roasting tin on the hob or put all the leftover scrapings from the tin into a fresh pot over a medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tbsp flour and cook for 30 secs until a paste has formed
Add the earlier prepared stock to the pan and simmer for 4-5 min, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a gravy-like consistency
Mix in some fig
For a delicious onion gravy, intensified with fig relish for a deep, fruity, festive richness, try the recipe below. Perfect served over a delicious sausage and mash.
SERVES 2
PREP:
5 MINS COOK:
5 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1 beef stock cube
1 tbsp of fig relish
1 red onion
A pinch of salt
A pinch of sugar
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
½ tsp flour
Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp vegetable oil over a very low heat
Once hot, add the onion with a pinch of salt and sugar
Cook for 20 min, until softened and caramelised
Dissolve the beef stock cube in 300ml boiled water, add the fig relish and mix until fully combined – this is your fig stock
Once the onions have softened, increase the heat to medium and add the Shaoxing wine
Cook for 30 sec or until the Shaoxing wine has evaporated
Stir 1/2 tsp flour into the onions until evenly coated, then add the fig stock and cook for 5 min or until the sauce has thickened to a gravy-like consistency
Try going vegan
Craving a warm, wholesome roast with a rich gravy? Gousto has created a delicious vegan version.
SERVES 2
PREP:
5 MINS COOK:
5 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp flour
5.5g vegetable stock
8g marmite
1 tsp dried sage
Add 1 tbsp olive oil to a pot over a medium heat
Once hot, add 1 tbsp flour and cook for 30 secs until a sandy paste has formed
Add the vegetable stock with the Marmite and dried sage and cook for 4-5 min, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a gravy-like consistency
Sweeten things up with some toffee
Sweet and savoury, complete your roast with Gousto’s moreish toffee apple gravy. You’ll simmer apple with beef stock to add a rich flavour to your meal.
SERVES 2
PREP:
5 MINS COOK:
5 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1 apple
½ beef stock cube
Knob of butter
1.5tsp sugar
1tsp flour
Slice the apple finely (skin on), discarding the core
Heat a large, wide-based pan with a generous knob of butter over a medium heat
Once melted, add the slice apple with 1.5 tsp of sugar and cook for 4-5 min or until starting to caramelise
While the apple caramelises, dissolve ½ beef stock cube in 150ml boiled water
Once caramelised, add 1 tsp flour and give everything a good mix up until a sandy paste form
Gradually stir the bed stock into the sandy paste and cook for 5 min or until a smooth thick sauce remains
What You Having for Ya Tea? Hearty Chicken & Leek Mash Topped Pie
For a quick and easy recipe that’s as hearty as it is faff-free and ideal for a cosy midweek dinner alongside GBBO, keep this mash-topped cottage pie recipe up your (dressing gown) sleeve!
There’s a cold snap in the air, we’re all thinking about buying an electric blanket this Black Friday and Strictly is back on our screens, which can only mean one thing… winter’s officially waiting in the wings and from here on out, dinner will be exclusively pie/Deliveroo-based. Not mad about it.
For a quick and easy recipe that’s as hearty as it is faff-free and ideal for a cosy midweek dinner alongside GBBO, keep this mash-topped cottage pie recipe up your (dressing gown) sleeve!
Reasons to love it:
Quick and easy
Can batch cook
Freezes well
Easy to adapt filling for preferences and dietary requirements
Ready in well under an hour
Great for sneaking in veg for fussy eaters and tiny tums
SERVES 4
PREP:
10 MINS COOK:
20 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
500g chicken breasts chopped into bite-sized chunks
2 leeks, sliced
1 tbsp plain flour
250ml chicken stock
2 tbsp crème fraîche
1 X pack ready-made mash potato
100g Cheddar, grated, plus extra to sprinkle on top
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or shallow casserole.
Add the chicken and cook until golden.
Add the leeks and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
Scatter over the flour and stir until absorbed.
Gradually pour in the stock then cook for 5 mins, or until the chicken is cooked through with no pink meat showing and the sauce has thickened.
Preheat the grill to its highest setting.
Stir the crème fraîche or cream into the chicken mixture and season well.
Carefully pour the mixture into a large baking dish.
Heat the mashed potato according to pack instructions, then stir in half the cheese.
Spoon it evenly over the chicken mixture, then top with the rest of the cheese.
Grill for a few minutes until the topping is golden and crisp. Serve & dig in!
In Defence of Starting a New Hobby as an Adult by Nelly London
"I just happened to stumble across a really affordable course that was about 15 minutes from home. It felt like a relatively small commitment so I just signed up not thinking too much else about it."
I don’t think I’ve even thought about starting a new hobby in about eight years. I feel like after a certain age we figure out the things we like, we find our routines, and we stick to our circles, and there usually isn’t any room for dramatic new hobbies or exciting obsessions, or at least we don’t think there is…
In my head, I had already written off the 60 quid that I had paid and had already excused myself mentally from doing it. Nelly London
A couple of months ago I signed up to an aerial hoop class on a complete whim. I just happened to stumble across a really affordable course that was about 15 minutes from home. It felt like a relatively small commitment so I just signed up not thinking too much else about it. Then obviously the day came and I realised how terrified I was to actually go through with this thing that I had agreed to do. In my head, I had already written off the 60 quid that I had paid and had already excused myself mentally from doing it. But by some miracle I actually followed through with it. I read the info sheet I was emailed about 28 times, checked the location 14 times on google maps, planned exactly where I was going to park, and practised saying ‘hello’ to people I had never met before the whole drive there. I know it might not sound like a lot to many, but for me this was actually pretty momentous. I had to challenge my anxious thoughts with such vengeance that I nearly didn’t didn’t get past them, but I did it anyway and am so thankful I did.
I don’t know exactly what it was that I was so scared of, but I know it wasn’t the activity itself, which is weird because it’s actually pretty difficult hanging upside down from a height with no safety equipment and with no previous experience, but my brain somehow skipped all that and went straight to the social interaction side of the experience.
I got to know some of the gorgeous girlies pretty quickly as we were all bonded by pure fear of this metal hoop that stood about 22 feet off the ground.Nelly London
I turned up to the community hall where everyone seemed to be nervously loitering before our class was due to start, and it was just as painfully awkward as I knew it would be. We were let in after a few minutes of what felt like unbearable small talk and from then on it was literally the easiest hour of my life. Well, easy from an anxiety point of view, I got to know some of the gorgeous girlies pretty quickly as we were all bonded by pure fear of this metal hoop that stood about 22 feet off the ground (I’m exaggerating, it was about 3), physically it was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. I’m a pretty fit gal, I train at least 4 times a week, I do a lot of strength work and I take my cardio seriously (weird I know) but dragging your whole body weight on top of a swing object with zero support – f**k me that was painful.
I don’t find meeting new people easy, I never have, which is part of the reason I’m so glad I really forced myself to turn up for this. I’ve been going back to the classes for about two months now and I’m not lying when I say it’s my favourite part of the week. Not just because it turns out I love aerial skills (who would’ve thought it) but because it’s so lovely to see people who are all there for the same reason as you – to learn something new. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’ve found any soul ties, but I have met some genuinely lovely and supportive people who have really demonstrated that we all feel the exact same anxieties.
If you’ve had something that you’ve been wanting to try for ages, my advice would be to just do it. Seriously, just sign up, pay the deposit, put your name on the list, whatever it is, just go for it.
Nelly London
It’s easy to catastrophise and think about the worst case scenario when it comes to social anxiety. What if I’m the odd number and get stuck without a partner, what if people already know each other and I get left out, what if I bend over and my leggings burst open and I am humiliated for the rest of my life?! I know how easy it is to spiral. But remember, our worst thoughts are not our realities, and those things are not likely to happen. And you know what, if they did happen you would cope with them, just how you cope with everything else.
Good luck at your new gym class, or on your new sports team, or in your new open water swimming club, or at that life drawing class, or at hot yoga, or at the comedy club open mic night. You’re gonna smash it!
Your Tracksuit Dreams IRL. The Future Self + Zoella: Let Go and Grow Collaboration Is Here!
Pre-order your favourite pieces from the collection now to secure your faves, or shop when general release comes around on the 30th October.
The secret’s out. Prepare to grow.
Here at Zoella, our passion for self-care and comfort is unmatched. Whether it be leaning into rituals that keep our minds feeling good when life is hard, or banishing the guilt associated with letting our bodies rest, you could go as far as to say that wellbeing is our *thing*.
That’s why our latest collab, for more reasons than one, felt like the most natural union of all. Introducing: future self + zoella, the let go and grow collection.
Combining the bold expression and empowering mantras at the core of Zoella, with the self-improvement, focus and drive from future self, the collection is one that makes you both look and feel good! Centred around the collaboration’s limited edition, bespoke print, consider your wardrobe levelled up and a serious dose of fun injected into your current outfit rotations with a slice of the collection on your rail.
The collection is available in four bright and energetic colourways (Lavendula, Lime, Burro and Buttercream) and in sizes XS-3XL.
Helping you ease into the autumn season, the collection is available in four bright and energetic colourways (Lavendula, Lime, Burro and Buttercream) and in sizes XS-3XL. Accessorise with a let go + grow tote bag, and finish your look with a pair of matching socks to perfectly nail the ultimate cosy season look you’ll never want to take off.
But that’s not all! We’ve included the little ones in this collection too, with a bespoke print Kids Range in sizes 1-2 & 2-3 years old. Choose from hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers & socks! Look up the dictionary definition of ‘cute’ and you’ll find our mini tracksuits.
Pre-order your favourite pieces from the collection now to secure your faves, or shop when general release comes around on the 30th October.
Listen to your body. Be kind to your mind. Let go and grow.
18 Cosmic Tattoos for All the High Key Obsessed Co-Star Fans
From fine-line constellations and minimal designs for the low-key ink lover, to cherubs, planets and tarot cards, here’s 30 cosmic tattoos to inspire your new tattoo.
Whether you can recite your sun, moon and rising sign backwards in your sleep or you just like to dip into your daily horoscope so that you can over analyse your every decision (lol, we stan Pisces), there’s an astrology tattoo out there for you.
From fine line constellations and minimal designs for the low-key ink lover, to cherubs, planets and tarot cards, here’s 30 cosmic tattoos to inspire your new tattoo. Just don’t book it whilst mercury’s in retrograde, eh…
1. A tiny shell for the water signs and an ode to the birth of Venus.
Just a Bunch of Funny Bad Dating Stories for Your Reading Pleasure
Join us as we bond over the abysmal dates that may as well have been an intensive course in mental resilience. Melting face emojis at the ready…
According to Psychology Today, men are feeling lonelier than ever as they struggle to meet the ‘higher standards’ of modern women (translation: healthy relationship expectations).
In 2022, cis-hetero women would sooner stay single than settle for anything less than what they deserve, and when you have a read of some of the dating stories below, you can see why singledom is preferable by a long shot.
Psychologist Greg Matos puts the rise of lonely single men down to the relationship-skills gap in which women are looking for partners who share the same values, are emotionally available and good communicators. They may call that high standards but where we’re coming from, we call that the bare minimum.
Greg explains, “With so many options (men represent approximately 62% of dating app users), it’s not surprising that women are increasingly selective. I do a live TikTok show (@abetterloveproject) and speak with hundreds of audience members every week; I hear recurring dating themes from women between the ages of 25 and 45: They prefer men who are emotionally available, who are good communicators, and who share their values. For men, this means a relationship skills gap that, if not addressed, will likely lead to fewer dating opportunities and longer periods of being single. There’s less patience for poor communication skills today. The problem for men is that emotional connection is the lifeblood of healthy, long-term love and it requires all the skills that families still are not consistently teaching young boys.”
In the article titled ‘The Rise of Lonely, Single Men’, Greg calls for men to address this skills deficit by placing greater worth on emotional connection. “It means valuing your own internal world and respecting your ideas enough to communicate them effectively. It means seeing intimacy, romance, and emotional connection as worthy of your time and effort.
We have an opportunity to revolutionise relationships and establish new, healthier norms starting with the first date. It’s likely that some of these romances will be transformative and healing, disrupting generational trauma and establishing a fresh culture of admiration and validation. Men have a key role in this transformation but only if they go all-in
Greg Matos
With all that in mind, we can only hope this societal shift paves the way for better experiences and honest conversations. Until then, join us as we bond over the abysmal dates that may as well have been an intensive course in mental resilience. Melting face emojis at the ready…
Here’s a short collection of funny bad dating stories. Funny yes, but not funny haha, funny weird.
He’d be swiping right on his deathbed
All going well, came back from the loo and he was on Tinder…
It’s a match!
We got matching tattoos. It was the first date…
Pillow spray gate
I met a guy from Hinge for a drink and he brought an overnight bag with him.
Mystic Mike
I told him my dad had died and he said, “I could have guessed that about you.”
Imagine this guy on Flying Ant Day
First date, in a beer garden, he kept walking away mid conversation to take pictures of bugs.
The accidental Mukbang
He brought me to the restaurant he works at without telling me and all his colleagues were hanging around our table.
That’s one way to call it a night…
First date, he’d had an op and was on painkillers. One drink later and he literally passed out on the table.
Where there’s blame there’s a claim!
One time at the end of the date he dropped me home so I got my bag out the boot of his car and when I shut it, the whole windscreen smashed… he made me pay for it. No second date, obviously.
First date fire
I Leant in to whisper something sexy to him in a speakeasy posh cocktail bar and my hair caught alight in the candle flame. Mood killer.
So, you’ve got a car – that don’t impress me much
Took me to a Tesla garage to show me he could afford to buy a Tesla….
Top up?
I kicked a glass of wine into his plug socket and short circuited his house.
Mr Has He No Shame?!
He asked if he could use my Instagram to look up my mate (private account) as he fancied her more.
Does he know how eating works?
Told me he thought girls who finished a whole meal in a restaurant were greedy.
Smooth operator
He casually left the table mid-date to meet his drug dealer.
Little Miss Eulogy
Asked me to come to his aunt’s funeral on the second date. I nearly passed away myself when he told me to say a few words at the end! Sad as it was, I’d never met Aunt Clara.
Like a scene from Ratatouille
Turned up to the date dressed in a suit with his pet rat perched on his shoulder.
Unforgivable
He didn’t know what Waterstones was. Never saw him again.
Body language? He doesn’t know it
I went on a date where we went to mini golf followed by dinner. The mini golf went well, but I wasn’t sure I fancied him. Anyway, we go for dinner & low and behold, I get the ick. Nothing in particular, I just didn’t wanna be on the date anymore! But we were seated in a booth / table and chair, so I couldn’t just leave. He kept trying to sit next to me. It became like musical chairs! He had a seat opposite me, why on earth would we share one side of a table and sit on the same side?!
Make that a burger-to-go please
I dated a guy with the same name as my dad. He came over for a BBQ with my parents and my mum called my dad’s name but they both turned around. I threw up in my mouth.
Zero curb appeal
He wouldn’t let me park my car on his drive because it didn’t go with his home aesthetic.
It’s a hard pass
He asked me to peg him in his parent’s bed. We were only three dates deep.
Red flag city
First date with a guy I knew through a friend. He’d planned the date, took me to his mate’s house where he proceeded to show me his collection of swords and knives. I thought I was going to die!
Once a cheat, always a cheat
He cheated at Uno. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
Take that curry sauce off of him at once
This was date number 2 or 3. Me and this guy were driving back from a date & grabbed a McDonald’s. The entire time we were eating he kept burping and farting (when I say it was a lot, it was a LOT)!! Now, I love a Maccies, but it took me MONTHS to have a meal after that experience.
Future Self + Zoella: In Conversation With the Founders
Ahead of the pre-order launch this Sunday 23rd October (save the date!), we checked in with the brand’s founders, Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes, to chat about the process behind bringing the collection to life, what it was like working together professionally and how they will be styling their favourite pieces from the range…
Listen to your body. Be kind to your mind. Have fun. Let go and grow.
Introducing: Future Self + Zoella, the let go and grow collection. Centred around the collaboration’s limited edition, bespoke print, the collection of hoodies, sweatshirt and joggers are available in four new and unique colour ways, and can be perfectly accessorised with the collaboration’s matching socks and tote bag. Your autumn wardrobe just got seriously more dreamy.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s treats for the little ones too! In sizes 1-2 & 2-3 years old, choose from mini hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers & socks.
Ahead of the pre-order launch this Sunday 23rd October (save the date!), we checked in with the brand’s founders, Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes, to chat about the process behind bringing the collection to life, what it was like working together professionally and how they will be styling their favourite pieces from the range…
How did the collaboration come about and what’s the story behind the collection?
Zoe: “In a nutshell, I am obsessed with and live in Future Self tracksuits and have done for years, literally since Alfie started the brand. I am, of course Alfie’s biggest cheerleader and it’s so much fun to watch all the work that goes into the brand and be on the sidelines.
That’s when the idea to collaborate came about as it gave me the excuse to curate my perfect tracksuits!Zoe
There were certain colours that I really wanted Alfie to make in Future Self but they’re historically more into quite earthy tones. So that’s when the idea to collaborate came about as it gave me the excuse to curate my perfect tracksuits! And then along the way I thought it would be really cute to have the option of matching with Ottie- we were going to get one sample made up just for fun but when we saw it we wanted everyone to have the option to match!”
“Let Go and Grow” – We love the self-care, wellbeing wording. Why was it important that you had that mindfulness messaging in there?
Alfie: “So for me, Future Self holds a lot of responsibility- the name itself is designed to encourage and help people better their future selves, that’s the aim of the brand. So when looking to collaborate with the Zoella brand, it couldn’t have seemed more fitting because as I’m sure the readers know, Zoella is all about empowerment, positivity and wellbeing which aligns so well with Future Self- the synergy between the two brands couldn’t have been stronger. It wasn’t an idea to include wellbeing and mindfulness messaging in there as an added extra, it was a must have!”
What’s been the best thing about joining forces for the first time?
Zoe: “The best thing about joining forces for the first time has been the creative process. Alfie and I keep our work and brands separate and I think that’s something we’ve always been quite conscious of doing, just to maintain a healthy home life. It would be so easy for us to collaborate on so many things but we’ve chosen not to so that when we are together it’s time spent as a couple as opposed to working together. But it’s been really fun seeing how much work goes into everything. I already knew that, but Future Self really is such a well-oiled machine, the team is all incredible and the product is just amazing.”
How many pieces will be available in the drop?
Alfie: “The collection mirrors the fit of the sell-out Capsule Collection and includes hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and socks in the four new colour ways and designs, plus a matching tote bag and socks too. The Kids Range includes sizes ranging from 1-3 years in Lavendula and Burro brown.”
The colours are a VIBE! How did you land on the colour palette of Lavendula, Lime, Burro and Buttercream?
Alfie: “So with this collection we wanted to completely switch things up from the normal Future Self colour palettes which was why I was so excited to collaborate with Zoe and the Zoella team to really bring a new vibe to Future Self and step outside the box that we normally work within. I guess we wanted to keep it as a strong mix between both brands, not just colour palette wise, but on everything in the collaboration.
Lavendula and Lime are very out there, more leaning towards the Zoella colour palettes and super fun and vibrantAlfie
“I feel like we couldn’t have done that more, for example Lavendula and Lime are very out there, more leaning towards the Zoella colour palettes and super fun and vibrant- Zoe’s literally wearing the Lime jumper right now. I’m really happy with the colour palette that we’ve ended up with because we sampled so many different colour options and different pantones within each of the colours as well.”
What was the design process like?
Alfie: “The design process for this collection was incredibly smooth overall and a lot of that comes down to us working with a designer who both Future Self and Zoella have worked with across multiple projects over the past six years. The designer knows both brands inside out, which was incredibly helpful because whilst both Zoe and I had a really strong vision for what we saw the collection looking like, bringing that to life is an incredibly tough job.
“So there was a lot of meeting up in the office, brainstorming, mood boards, bringing together all the previous pieces that Future Self has released, looking at everything from the stitching to the swing tags to see which elements we wanted to bring into this collection. We actually had quite a few different ideas which we’ve kept in our back pocket for now, because if anything we had so many ideas and weren’t too sure which route to go down because we liked so many! Which I think is always a nice thing.
The let go and grow concept felt like the most natural fit, and once we had that we just rolled with it. The best moments I find are the least planned, the most spur of the moment. The most relaxed times when you’re not expecting for a new idea to come up is when those banging ideas come up.
Alfie
Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?
Zoe: “My favourite piece, which is very difficult to say because I genuinely love everything, is the Lime tracksuit. When I try that green on I love how it makes me feel. I do also love the kids’ joggers- they are so cute. And of course the tote bag which is genuinely so great and I cannot wait to use it.”
Alfie: “I think the brown tracksuit is my fave, mainly because I would never have bought one previously, but since developing this one I really love it. It’s an unexpected favourite of mine!”
How will you be styling the collection in your own wardrobes?
Zoe: “I pretty much live in Future Self tracksuits, especially after having Ottie, because they are genuinely the comfiest tracksuits you will ever own.
I love styling them with an oversized trench coat, a beanie, some socks pulled up and some chunky white trainersZoe
I wear them in the house, but I’m also a real advocate for tracksuits out of the house. I love styling them with an oversized trench coat, a beanie, some socks pulled up and some chunky white trainers- I just feel like it’s such a vibe. You can feel optimum cosy on the days where it’s really cold or rainy by putting on your tracksuit and then smartening it up with a really nice coat, a beanie and some sunglasses.”
For the first time ever, we have mini sweatsuits! Why was it important that kidswear was part of the offering?
Zoe: “So we weren’t initially going to do kidswear at all- it was only because I really loved the collection and colours that we wanted a mini version of what we were making just for Ottie. It was only once we saw her in it and we were like, okay, maybe there will be other people out there that also wanna match with their mini me.”
Alfie: “We decided to do a very limited amount, but, you never know, if there’s more of a demand and people want more or different colours or sizes, then it’s definitely something we can think about for any future collections.”
How do you want people to feel when wearing the edit?
Zoe: “It personally makes me feel like I’ve got my shit together, but I’m comfortable doing it. Do you know what I mean? I’m comfy at the same time- that’s what we want everyone to feel like- a sense of being their best selves, and cosy but also with their shit together.”
There’s definitely something about wearing the collection whilst doing something that you love that we want to focus on. Whether you’re working out at the gym, sitting on the sofa reading a book, or if you’re meeting your mate for a coffee, whatever it is, the collection is about letting go and growing into the person you want to be.
Zoe
Favourite place to wear yours?
Zoe: “Genuinely? Just ALL the time. I wear it everywhere, out on a walk, into town, just whenever I wanna be comfortable. A flight, a long drive, laying on the sofa, working out, I’m probably wearing it. If I’ve got a day with loads of meetings in the office, I’ll also be wearing it. It allows you to be comfortable and feel good at the same time.”
We Spoke to 7 Women Who Have Tried The Copper Coil
We spoke to 7 women who have tried the copper coil to get the lowdown on the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between...
Contraception can be confusing, with a world of options out there and endless opinions from friends, your doctor and even TikTok potentially influencing your decision on how to prevent pregnancy and manage health concerns such as heavy periods or acne.
But as awareness surrounding the potential adverse side effects of hormonal contraception continues to spark conversation, it seems the demand and interest in alternative methods, such as the coil are on the rise. The copper coil aka an intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s placed into the womb (uterus) and releases copper to alter the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive. When inserted correctly, IUDs are more than 99% effective and can prevent pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years.
But as with every form of contraception, the copper coilcomes with a hefty list of potential side effects that should be considered before taking the leap and booking your insertion appointment, from longer and heavier periods to the risk of your body rejecting the IUD altogether. We spoke to 7 women who have tried the copper coil to get the lowdown on the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between that comes with choosing this form of contraception…
Emily
I’m 24 and I had the copper coil fitted just over a year ago. After having a lot of trouble with hormone-based contraception, and knowing the implications of hormones in general on my body, I decided that the copper coil would probably be the best option for me.
After speaking to my local GP, we arranged for me to get it inserted about a week after my first appointment.
This was the first time a medical professional had ever been down there so I just breathed and tried to keep up the conversation.Emily
When I arrived at my first appointment they asked all the basic questions “are you pregnant?” etc, and then, the time had come. She asked me to lay on the bed with my trousers and knickers down. This was the first time a medical professional had ever been down there so I just breathed and tried to keep up the conversation. She inserted the vaginal clamp which was a strange feeling. They also asked if they could take a couple swabs while they were in there. I said of course, why not kill two birds with one stone. She inserted the coil and it kind of felt like something going up and nipping me right inside.
This is where things got a little more uncomfortable. When she went to cut the string, she realised that my womb had rejected it. She said this is more common with women who have never had children as your womb isn’t used to holding something, making it more likely to reject. This meant the coil was now in my cervix. She quickly pulled it out (which also felt a bit weird) and I saw it all covered in blood- it was not enjoyable. At this point I was getting extremely flustered and having to take slow breaths to calm down, all whilst the vaginal clamp was still holding me open.
She quickly asked her assistant for a second coil to try and put another in and this time when she pushed it up again and I felt the pinch of it opening inside. She quickly cut the string and that was it. I felt a bit achy in my womb for the next day or so while my body was adjusting, and went to feel for the string in my cervix to check the length.
After about a week I went to have sex for the first time which was really nerve-racking, even though I knew if it was in place it shouldn’t be an issue.
However, when we came to it, sex was painful and I got really bad abdominal pains. I thought this might just be part of the settling-in period, but after a few weeks, the abdominal pains were very frequent and at random times in the day, not just during or after sex.
Emily
Within this time, my period had come and it was excruciating, as well as very heavy which is a normal symptom, especially in the first few months of having the coil implanted.
At one point my boyfriend complained saying he could feel something inside me, and it was at this point I decided to go back to the doctors. Not only was it feeling off but it was preventing me from having sex, which was the whole point of it.
I was sent for an internal ultrasound. They put a dildo-like thing inside me and looked to see what was happening. She said that the coil was in fact in my cervix and had been rejected by my womb and they needed to get it out as soon as possible.
Essentially, the coil had been chilling in my cervix for probably about two months since it was put in. I also realised it had not been working as contraception and I had not been using protection in the first few weeks of having it while I was working it out with the whole sex thing. Fortunately, I didn’t get pregnant.
I do track my fertility and we make sure we are extra cautious around this time.Emily
Anyway, my appointment finally came around and they took it out. I was so relieved, and when they offered to book to get another put in and I said no. Ever since I have given up on contraception completely and have not used anything since. I’ve not had any pregnancy scares and have sex frequently. More than 5 times a week! My partner and I are super careful and ensure. He finishes when he’s “out” of me, which I know isn’t advised but it means I’m not on hormones and have a natural cycle.
I do track my fertility and we make sure we are extra cautious around this time.
Kristina
The reason I had a coil fitted was for contraception purposes- I chose it because it was a long term solution. I was on the pill at one point but forgot to take it sometimes so I know medication does not work for me. I’ve also had the injection but the side effects were too much for me.
I was a bit anxious beforehand but only because the nurse came out and told me my appointment was delayed because the girl before me had passed out…Kristina
Not only was having the coil fitted pain-free but I literally did not feel anything- I didn’t realise it had even been done until they told me! I lay there bracing myself, anticipating the worst and nothing happened. I was a bit anxious beforehand but only because the nurse came out and told me my appointment was delayed because the girl before me had passed out…
The nurse and doctor told me everything that I should expect and were very detailed in telling me what was happening throughout. I was most surprised that the pain they told me would come never did, and that everything they told me I would feel, I didn’t.
After having the coil fitted I did have some moderate cramping for a couple of days but nothing worse than a period. I had a very long period after, but when I had it fitted I was still bleeding after having my daughter so it could have just been that (I bled for a total of 12 weeks after having her).
The biggest surprise though has been that I got my first normal period just a couple of days ago and it is very light. I’m used to having very heavy periods so it’s been a nice surprise as I wasn’t expecting it so soon.
Kristina
I was expecting my experience to be a lot worse than what it was and I would very happily have it done again.
Sarah-Kelly
I got the coil fitted 3 years ago now in 2019. I had taken the contraceptive pill for a few years before and developed breast cysts. Thankfully they were non-cancerous, and whilst I know the risk is admittedly small, I was aware that hormonal methods can cause breast abnormalities and cancer in some cases.
I decided I did not feel comfortable putting hormones in my body anymore so I knew the copper coil was for me.Sarah-Kelly
I was concerned about that, but the final straw was when I had no period for 4 months. I was paranoid and took a pregnancy test every month. I was only young and was in no position to have a baby. Thankfully, they were negative. At this point, I decided I needed another form of contraception. I decided I did not feel comfortable putting hormones in my body anymore so I knew the copper coil was for me.
I phoned the sexual health clinic to arrange the appointment and in my immediate area there were no slots for 4 months. I could not wait that long so I decided to travel 40 minutes away and booked an appointment for three weeks later.
The day came and to my horror, I woke up with my period. I had not had a period in 4 months and was frantically googling if I could still get the coil fitted. It said yes, so off I went.
I went into the room with two women, a sexual health nurse and an assistant who showed me a coil and explained the process to me. They shut the curtain and I undressed from the waist down. I wasn’t embarrassed but was just mildly terrified at what was going to happen.
She asked if I wanted anaesthetic, a small injection in the cervix and I immediately said no as I hate needles. However, being young I had never had a smear test, so the minute the speculum went in I changed my mind and asked for anaesthetic. It wasn’t that the speculum was sore, just an uncomfortable, strange sensation. So they injected the cervix and it was completely pain free, I hardly even felt it. They then measured my womb with the tool, and inserted my coil. I felt nothing, I couldn’t believe it was finished. After they finished they snipped the strings and that was that.
They told me to get up slowly and call them if I felt faint, they gave me a sanitary towel and then privacy to get dressed. The experience was absolutely fine, absolutely worth it for contraception you can set and forget. Also a three minute procedure for 10 years of contraception – it was a no brainer.
I can’t speak on if I bled after it or not as I was on my period. What I will say though is the first bowel movement after it was so scary as I was terrified it was going to fall out. Of course it didn’t.
Sarah-Kelly
It is a fantastic method of contraception. The only thing is, your periods are heavier for the first year. Mine naturally were 5 days, on my two contraceptive combined pills, they were 3 or 4 days. The first year of the coil it did go up to 9 days, but it genuinely calms down after one year and it’s now down back to 6 days. The periods are painful and heavy but if you stick with it for one year, I promise it goes back to normal.
I plan on keeping the coil in for the whole 10 years or alternatively until I decide to have children, whichever comes first. I would recommend it to anyone.
Andrea
I had the copper IUD coil fitted as emergency contraception a couple of years ago. The procedure itself was okay, I dosed up on pain medication and whilst it was uncomfortable, it was definitely manageable. I personally am really unhappy with hormonal contraception- it makes me have massive mood swings and I feel very de-energised and anxious, which is why I was keen to go for the copper method.
A year into having it fitted my boyfriend started experiencing small tears to his foreskin after having sex, and I was feeling slightly more sore during.Olivia
The initial few months I felt slightly uncomfortable around my cervix and my periods were a lot heavier, but generally it was a good experience. HOWEVER, a year into having it fitted my boyfriend started experiencing small tears to his foreskin after having sex, and I was feeling slightly more sore during. I’d sometimes have random stabs of pain in my cervix during the day too. Over time this gradually worsened, but we began being long distance so we put it down to us not seeing eachother often so the sex being more painful (which shouldn’t have happened).
In the last few months, the pain became significantly worse and was impacting my libido. I also missed my period so I was super concerned. I did a pregnancy test and felt for the coil strings which were still in place so I assumed I was overthinking. My friend was attending a walk-in sexual health clinic and encouraged me to go with her. I went with the intention of finding out the cause of my missed period, not worrying about the coil. When I was there they decided to do a general check and on inspection realised the coil had expelled itself and was lying in my cervix – hence why both my boyfriend and I were experiencing pain.
I’m super lucky that I did not become pregnant, as the position the coil was in would not be having any contraceptive effectOlivia
I’m super lucky that I did not become pregnant, as the position the coil was in would not be having any contraceptive effect, meaning I was having regular unprotected sex with my boyfriend. The risks of this were never explained, nor signs to look out for. Since its removal, we have both gone back to pain free sex, my periods are way lighter and my libido has gone back to normal. I wish there was another non-hormonal contraceptive method for me!
Victoria
I had a coil fitted at the start of February this year after being on the waiting list for around 5 months. I was previously on the pill but I didn’t like how bad it made my anxiety so I thought the copper coil would be a better option.
When I had my coil fitted, I was in horrendous pain. The cramps are nothing like period cramps, they were worse and almost deeper than normal cramps. I had it fitted at midday with the plan to go back to work after but I couldn’t because of the pain. After pulling myself around Tesco to buy chocolate and pantyliners, I went home. I tried many things to stop the cramps but nothing really worked apart from taking ibuprofen and paracetamol alternately every 4 hours. When my boyfriend got home from work, I proceeded to slump into his arms and cry because of how much pain I was in.
I was on the ibuprofen and paracetamol combination for 2 days until I realised it probably wasn’t the best to take both together for that long. I realised how bad the cramps still were after I stopped taking them. What followed after this was month after month of constant cramps and bleeding after sex. This started to affect my mental health as I was constantly anxious that I would experience pain during sex or start my period unexpectedly. I was really down and anxious. I do have to give a shout out to my boyfriend for being so supportive.
Each month, I was holding out that it would get easier and more manageable but it didn’t. They told me that after 6 months, the pain would go and the coil would properly settle. It didn’t. Granted, I didn’t have it in for the full 6 months but I couldn’t carry on the way I was.
Victoria
In July, after considering it for so long, I finally had it out. The removal process was a bit of a nightmare but what finally convinced me to have it taken out was that I was going on holiday in September and I didn’t want a surprise period. I went back on the pill but that had the same effect as before.
Fiona
Prior to deciding to try the copper coil as my form of contraception, I had the implant for three years and before this was on the combination pill. I didn’t have a positive experience when I was on the pill and suffered from severe headaches, weight gain, and disruptive mood swings.
When I switched to the implant, the first year or so was definitely more positive than the pill. I had no periods, but I still suffered from mood swings and easily felt depressed. About halfway through having the implant I started to get irregular periods, and eventually, this turned into constant light bleeding. It was very impractical and annoying. So when the time was nearing to having it removed I knew 100% that I didn’t want to ever take the pill again and that ideally, I didn’t want another implant.
I find that a sexual health clinic can provide far better advice as they’re specialists in this field- they’ve literally seen everything related to sexual healthFiona
I spent a lot of time doing research, looking into what contraception would be preferential moving forward, whilst also receiving counselling for my mental health. I decided that I didn’t ever want to take hormonal contraception again, as I was sure this was somewhat contributing to my mood, although this did automatically limit my options. I was terrified about having it put in. When it comes to contraception, I’ve always made use of the NHS sexual health clinics rather than doctors. I find that a sexual health clinic can provide far better advice as they’re specialists in this field- they’ve literally seen everything related to sexual health- and in general, I find them more empathetic and understanding than GPs. I made sure to book an appointment with a nurse beforehand to discuss if the copper coil would be the best option.
On the day, I was so nervous and despite the nurses’ reassurance in our prior meeting, I did not feel good.They asked if I would like to know each thing that they were doing, and I said yes. They told me to lie down on the bed with my hands on my tummy and begin to relax. I would be lying if I said having it put in wasn’t uncomfortable – it was. The best way I can describe it for me personally on an uncomfortable scale was like sharp period cramps. If I were to give it a number – 10 being the worst pain ever – I would give it a 4. It didn’t last long, and the initial intense sharp-like feeling disappeared within a few minutes of insertion. They gave me some squash and lots of biscuits – I think I was looking a bit pale!
The follow-up care from the clinic was great. They told me what side effects I may experience, told me how to check the strings, and let me know what I should keep an eye out for. I went home that day feeling a bit sorry for myself, but snuggled up with a cup of tea and a hot water bottle. I had intermittent cramps and spotting for a couple of days after insertion, all of which are normal.
In terms of side effects, I only have one, but I think it’s the one that puts a lot of people off most, and that’s heavier periods. I was on hormonal contraception for five years prior to having the copper coil, and during that time my periods were either light, non-existent, or spotting (constantly). One of the reasons I went onto hormonal contraception was because I had painful and heavy periods, but when deciding if the coil would be best, I knew that having heavier periods was a risk I would take rather than experiencing the side effects of any more hormonal contraception.
For the first few months, my periods were VERY heavy. After several months I noticed that my periods had begun to settle down, and they weren’t as heavy or crampy. After nearly three years, my period has properly settled down. It isn’t as heavy or painful as it was in the first few months after insertion, in fact I would say my periods are relatively normal now.
Getting the copper coil was the best decision I’ve ever made when it comes to my overall health and contraception. My mood has changed tremendously compared to being on hormonal contraception, I no longer have erratic mood swings, I’m more emotionally stable, and I feel far less anxiety.
Fiona
It’s great that I can just forget about it too! It’s been extremely low maintenance and there’s no more setting a timer as a reminder to take the pill. I love that it’s a long-lasting form of contraception, I’ve still got another 7 years left of mine, but of course, I can take it out whenever I wish.
If you’ve struggled with emotional side effects from hormonal contraception, but still want long-lasting and effective contraception, then definitely look into the copper coil.
Darcey
I decided to get the coil for contraceptive purposes after being on no contraception for about three years. I wanted to try and avoid hormonal contraception because I hadn’t used it in so long, so I thought the copper coil would be a good fit. The coil could also be in for 10 years, which suited me well due to children not being in my immediate plans.
The actual insertion was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.Darcey
I was pretty nervous before my appointment, but a few of my friends have had coils put in which they said had been painful but bearable, which put my mind at ease. The actual insertion was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. It was uncomfortable- having your cervix clamped is not the nicest feeling- but the process was super quick. My doctor said mine went in quite easily though, which then meant it was more likely my body could expel the coil, so it’s likely it hurt less for me due to that too. However, the next 48 hours (ish) were fairly bad, the cramps were super intense, I had to sit in my car for a while after the insertion as I thought I was going to pass out. You bleed a lot after too, I bled for about a week actually, but the cramps went after 48 hours and definitely got milder.
I had the coil in for 7 weeks, until after my second period when I went to check the strings and could feel some hard plastic poking out of my cervix. I knew that I was at higher risk of it expelling due to how easily it went in, and had been told I had a looser cervix (charming ha!), but they were right as it did end up moving and needing to be removed. I’d like to say though that there was no pain when it did expel, and having it removed was completely painless too, so don’t let the potential of this happening put you off.
I only had two periods on the copper coil, but for two days I had very heavy bleeding, going through a super tampon every 1-2 hours.Darcey
The only side effects I had during the time when the coil was in were period cramps (which I’d never had before), but they were pretty mild, and I also had much heavier periods. I only had two periods on the copper coil, but for two days I had very heavy bleeding, going through a super tampon every 1-2 hours. So if you already have heavy periods I would really consider other options as it definitely does make them a lot heavier than your usual flow.
I wish the coil had worked for me, as the heavy periods are something I could have definitely put up with. If you’ve been thinking about trying the copper coil then go for it, the insertion is bearable and the payoff – if it works for your body – is worth it in my opinion.
