The Optimist

10/07/2020

As media coverage surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement dies down, it is important to keep the momentum going whether that is on the micro or macro scale. By now, I'm sure you’ve seen an abundance of posts advocating for “allies” to actively raise the voices of ethnic minorities in the fight against racism. However, one thing that should be underlined here is that the role of an ally is to make room for people of colour to lead the work that is needed and allies to follow and help amplify their voices- not speak for them... [ 401 more words ]
http://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/07/10/allyship-keep-the-momentum-going/

As media coverage surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement dies down, it is important to keep the momentum going whether that is on the micro or macro scale. By now, I’m sure you’ve seen a…

18/06/2020

https://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/06/16/why-being-silent-is-being-complicit/

Saying you aren’t racist is not enough. Saying you’re simply “not racist” is taking the neutral ground. There is no neutrality in the fight for justice and the fight against racis…

16/06/2020

http://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/06/15/racism-resistance-and-roots-how-george-floyd-helped-us-reconsider-our-reality/

At the murder of George Floyd, a fire ignited, and its embers have scattered across the globe. Conversations surrounding racial inequality have emerged in new and unexpected places, causing greater…

23/05/2020

https://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/05/22/callum-lea-the-teenager-behind-the-uks-first-ever-charity-supporting-athletes-with-mental-health-difficulties/

Not your standard gap year. I suppose that’s one way to describe Callum Lea’s creation of the UK’s first ever registered charity to support young sports players experiencing mental heal…

16/05/2020

https://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/05/15/normal-people-we-all-want-to-be-mrs-connell-waldron-but-have-we-massively-missed-the-point/

If you have been living under a rock (or as is permissible in the circumstances – your duvet) for the entirety of lockdown, you will have been greatly deprived of Normal People’s Mr Connell W…

13/05/2020

http://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/05/11/you-complete-me-and-other-irrational-bullsh*t-which-makes-us-fear-our-own-company/

Yes, I know what you’re probably thinking: here we go another millennial ranting about mental health, thinking she’s the Dalai Lama. And that’s exactly what I’d be thinking too; to be honest I doub…

13/05/2020

http://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/05/11/you-complete-me-and-other-irrational-bullsh*t-which-makes-us-fear-our-own-company/

You know who you are. It’s all fun and games calling yourself independent until you actually have to prove it. No amount of ‘self care days’ could have prepared the notorious promoters of self love…

13/05/2020

http://theoptimistgroup.com/2020/05/10/we-would-rather-step-on-lego-than-talk-about-our-feelings-the-importance-of-opening-up/

Yes, I know what you’re probably thinking: here we go another millennial ranting about mental health, thinking she’s the Dalai Lama. And that’s exactly what I’d be thinking too; to be honest I doub…

09/05/2020

09/05/2020

https://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/09/wannabe-roadmen-turned-baker-maybe-lockdown-really-is-healing-the-planet/

You’ve heard the incessant cry, likely from your local vegan, that this pandemic is simply Mother Nature purging her planet of all the pollution. And in fairness, she’s been swamped in it since Ric…

09/05/2020

http://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/09/you-really-dont-need-that-extra-pair-of-flares-forget-fast-fashion-and-up-your-sustainability-game/

The endless joys of retail therapy after a difficult week should not be underrated. Shopping for new clothes gives so many of us a much needed boost of confidence or buzzing, materialistic exciteme…

08/05/2020

The girl who doesn't let a global pandemic get in the way of a good pub crawl.

Zoey Jeater we love this!

https://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/08/mastering-the-lockdown-pubcrawl/

The prospect of being locked in with my parents at the age of sixteen may have left me with an overwhelming-sense of dread, but at twenty-three (and now unemployed) I quite welcomed the idea. Appro…

08/05/2020

https://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/04/chivalry-is-back-could-the-lockdown-be-improving-your-chat/

A player’s worst nightmare. Boris flips a switch and suddenly you can’t come within two metres of the person you fancy, let alone get down to what you actually want to be doing. Alas, no longer is …

08/05/2020

https://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/05/the-parade-of-the-fitness-influencers-you-really-dont-have-to-use-this-time-to-lose-weight/

It has become incessant. At every corner we turn there appears yet another ‘Low Carb Meal Plan I Swear By’ or complex home workout which allows you to swagger out of quarantine as the wobble-free, …

07/05/2020

http://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/04/chivalry-is-back-could-the-lockdown-be-improving-your-chat/

A player’s worst nightmare. Boris flips a switch and suddenly you can’t come within two metres of the person you fancy, let alone get down to what you actually want to be doing. Alas, no longer is …

07/05/2020

http://pickmeuppaper.com/2020/05/05/the-parade-of-the-fitness-influencers-you-really-dont-have-to-use-this-time-to-lose-weight/

It has become incessant. At every corner we turn there appears yet another ‘Low Carb Meal Plan I Swear By’ or complex home workout which allows you to swagger out of quarantine as the wobble-free, …

06/05/2020