Mollie's Feel-Good Feed: An important change from my usual column
This week has been one that will go down in history. A week that we will not forget, with horrific images, heart-breaking accounts of suffering, but hopefully one that will finally kick start the much needed changes that must come to make the world a better place.
The shocking death of George Floyd has hit me hard and has left me constantly coming back to the question of what I can do to help. You’ll have seen on the news how Tuesday was renamed Blackout Tuesday, encouraging us to use the day to reflect and learn, discuss the subject, and challenge injustice. I spent the time looking into how I could improve my own knowledge and understanding.
After this, I couldn’t write my column this week without starting with some books that are out there, discussing anti-racism and the race problems we are dealing with today in 2020. The Black Lives Matter website suggests books to read as a starting point and wanted to share those with you.
Me and White Supremacy – Layla F. Saad became a best-selling author from releasing this book, which she refers to as a process rather than a read. Back in the summer of 2018, Saad ran an Instagram challenge which was the starting point of this hugely successful book.
So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo – A best selling, hard-hitting read that talks about a number of topics, from the Black Lives Matter movement to white privilege and race in America.
Lastly, the award-winning book Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X. Kendi. This talks about how racist ideas and thoughts have become ingrained in America.
It is an absolute must that change comes. I hope these books help educate and give all of us a better understanding of the situation, whatever our race.
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Self care
I’ve found myself feeling really anxious and saddened by what’s going on in the world at the moment. Anxiety is definitely something that has crept up on me in the last few years, but I do like to try and stay as positive as I can and be grateful for all the good things around me.
This week I really tried to focus on finding time to meditate. It’s something I started at the beginning of lockdown when I was stressed and worried about not seeing my family for a while. But as the weeks have gone on I've probably slacked off a little and haven’t been so ‘routine’ about it.
I’ve found this week that, by making it a priority in the morning, it has really helped me start my days off with a more positive can-do attitude and helped me feel like things are manageable, rather than completely overwhelming. It has been a big part of my self care and something I can’t recommend enough. I switch between apps like Headspace and the Peloton app, so if it’s something you’ve had some interest in but never made the time for, I would definitely recommend it.
Fitness
This week I’ve been doing more floor-based body weight exercises working on the classic – legs, bums and tums. Watch out, Jane Fonda! It’s one of those things I often do while watching something on the TV or even making a phone call – if I don’t have to do much of the talking! I’ve put a video up on my Instagram account with some of my favourite exercises like crunches, single leg lifts and side planks, if you fancy toning up while getting your daily hit of Netflix.
Singles
On to music, let’s talk about turning up that summer feeling with Tondo by Disclosure and Eko Roosevelt. I love how many different genres of music you hear coming together in this song. Disclosure are already hugely successful in the dance/electronic field, and this time have shown their love for African music, by sampling Cameroonian musician Eko Roosevelt. This song is the perfect soundtrack to making any task more fun.
We’ve watched him grow up and now he’s a certified A-lister; let’s talk Harry Styles. There was so much excitement about his release of his second album at the end of last year. Following on from singles like Adore You and Falling, this has to be my favourite song Harry has released to date – Watermelon Sugar.
The lyrics to this song say ‘Breathe me in, breathe me out’ – which I think is something we’re all willing to do, Harry. It’s got that laid back feel to it that makes me imagine I’m on a deck chair by a pool. Seeing as our imaginations might be the closest we get to a holiday this year, blast this out at home or in the garden, put your feet up and enjoy!
TV Shows
If the thought of shows like The Hills and The Real Orange County has you smiling, imagining Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag and Audrina Patridge driving down those palm tree-lined streets, look no further than this LA-based reality show from Adam DiVello, creator of The Hills and The City. He brings us a new 100% binge-worthy series, Selling Sunset.
You’d think a series following the Oppenheim real estate group selling multi-million dollar properties would be entertaining enough. But when I tell you that’s only the backdrop to the love lives and friendship dramas of the real estate agents, you know you’re in for a good thing. An incredibly easy and enjoyable watch, plus you might get some inspiration for your home décor… what’s not to love!
Thanks so much for reading Mollie’s Feel-Good Feed – check back on Marie Claire every Friday for more of my feel-good recommendations. Take care and stay safe.
Mollie King rose to fame as one-fifth of the multi-platinum selling girl band, The Saturdays. The last few years have seen her become a Radio 1 DJ, present across flagship TV shows and a campaign in Parliament.
During her time in The Saturdays, the group sold over five million records worldwide, achieving 13 Top 10 singles and five Top 10 albums. The band also embarked on four nationwide tours and had three primetime TV series, including Chasing the Saturdays for E! which aired in over 40 countries.
In 2018, Mollie turned her hand to presenting and after guest presenting for several weeks on Matt Edmondson’s Radio 1 show, she was offered a permanent role at the station. The duo began hosting the Matt & Mollie Weekend Breakfast show and 2021 moved their new afternoon slot. Mollie also presents her own Friday morning show Best New Pop, sharing music from her most loved genre. After only six months into her role at Radio 1, Mollie won the silver award for ‘Best New Presenter’ at the 2018 ARIA Radio Academy Awards.
In addition to Radio, Mollie has also guest presented This Morning several times, including a month-long stint in the summer of 2018. She’s covered the entertainment slot on Lorraine, and guest presented on Blue Peter. In 2019, Mollie hosted The Greatest Dancer podcast for the BBC. She also presented the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards, alongside Greg James and Maya Jama, which aired on BBC2. Mollie also took part in the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, making it all the way to the semi-finals.
Away from her TV and Radio work Mollie writes a weekly column for Marie Claire magazine, ‘Mollie’s Feel Good Feed’ and has worked with numerous brands including Estée Lauder, L’Oreal, Amazon, GHD and Aspinal of London.
Mollie is a proud ambassador for the Dyslexia Association, a learning disorder she was diagnosed with as a child. Mollie is very passionate about campaigning for early diagnostic tests in schools, as well as funding to support children through education with Dyslexia and spoke about this in Parliament in 2019.
Mollie is also a Born Free anti-captivity ambassador, has worked closely with the charity Mothers2Mothers and traveled to Ghana in 2014 with REDD charity to help raise awareness and funds for HIV.
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