Social media's top influencers share their everyday hacks
During the coronavirus pandemic, it seems people have relied on their phones for almost everything.
Whether it be a new banana bread recipe to try, or advice for elevating your self-care routine during quarantine, people have used their phones and social media as a way to learn new things and connect with others virtually.
Across social media, influencers have shared tips on all different topics, from how to make loungewear chic to advice for dating during the pandemic.
"Good Morning America" spoke to six influencers who cover topics from finance to wellness, fashion and dating and are sharing hacks for what they know and do best.
Read on for their best advice.
Jen Reed on fashion | @thesistersstudioig
Jen Reed of @thesistersstudioig, is a fashion blogger whose motto is “you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks.” On her Instagram page, Reed shares her top tips on achieving that stylish look without breaking the bank.
What she says is the biggest misconception about fashion: That you have to spend a lot of money to be stylish. You can certainly look fashionable without wearing luxury items. Bonus, there are always new and affordable retailers showing up in the market with on-trend pieces and modest price points.
Staples that everyone should have in their closet: Black skinny jeans, classic blazer that can be styled, versatile layers, denim jacket and jeans that fit you like a glove. Every woman should have a pair of jeans in their closet that hugs them the perfect way.
Best piece of advice: Know what suits your body type and don't be afraid to create your own uniform. Rather than having a closet full of the latest fashion trends that don't suit you, fill your wardrobe with pieces you look and feel good in. In the words of Coco Chanel, “simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”
Chef Kwame Onwuachi on food and cooking | @chefkwameonwuachi
Many have turned to social media during the pandemic for cooking inspiration. One Instagram account in particular that many have been captivated by is Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s page. Kwame, a James Beard Award-winning chef with a major Instagram following (91.8K followers!) and now a judge on the upcoming season of Top Chef, explores Black history through food.
What Chef Onwuachi says is the biggest misconception about food/cooking: People are afraid to make mistakes. That's where greatness happens. Feel free to experiment and not follow the rules. Put your own identity into a recipe or dish you've made before.
Hack for pandemic times: Cook everything in one pot so you don't have to do many dishes. Gumbo, Jambalaya, Paella are some great one pot meals!
Best piece of advice: Cook with love. You're cooking to share a memory with someone. It's more than just food.
Lindsey Metselaar on dating | @wemetatacme
Lindsey Metselaar has been giving dating advice since she started her podcast “We Met At Acme” three years ago, where she delves into relationships, vulnerability and dating in New York City. Amid the pandemic, people have turned to her Instagram account under the same name for dating advice. Some of her advice that she’s shared with her nearly 50,000 followers include what you should and should not include on your dating app profile and tips on meeting people during a pandemic.
What Lindsey says is the biggest misconception about dating: That a good relationship is always easy -- all relationships take work and compromise.
Her advice for the perfect opening line in dating apps: Be silly! If everyone started the conversation with a joke or a funny question, they’d have more success. Switch it up and have fun -- not the same “hey what’s up -- how is your day” -- no more monotony. My friends get so many more responses when I steal their phone and am just silly.
Hack for dating during pandemic times: Ask the deeper questions first -- no one has time for surface level relationships. And make sure they’re corona free!
Best piece of advice: if you’re confused about how they feel about you, they’re not interested.
The Minimalists on finance | @theminimalists
For anyone looking to cut back and budget, podcasters Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of @theminimalists on Instagram are helping people live meaningful lives with less through their blog, books, podcast and Netflix documentaries. Their ultimate goal is to inspire others to get rid of excess. Learn more about minimalism in their new book, “Love People Use Things,” which will be released in July 2021.
How to get started in minimalism: Start by asking yourself a question: How might your life be better with less? The path to a simpler life is illuminated once you understand the benefits of letting go.
Recommendations on how to budget during the pandemic: You might think a pandemic would shift our thoughts on budgeting, but it hasn't. If anything, it has solidified our viewpoint -- because principles are principles no matter the circumstance. There's still no such thing as good debt. It's still important to have an emergency fund. And it's still important to live within our means.
Advice as we head into the holiday gift-buying season: We’ve been told that gift-giving is one of our “love languages.” As a result, we’ve become consumers of love. Far too often, gift-giving is materialistic. But love is not a material transaction. Love is transcendent: it transcends language and possessions, and can be shown only by our thoughts, actions, and intentions. Gift-giving is not a love language any more than Pig Latin is a Romance language. What people actually mean is “contribution is a love language.” We all want to contribute to the people we care about, and sometimes that involves buying them a gift they will appreciate. Enter: our "Minimalist Gift Giving Rule," which says you can avoid physical gifts and still participate in the gift-giving process. Presence is the best present. So, what if you decided to gift only experiences this year? Or if you feel the absolute need to give material goods, gift consumables -- a bottle of wine, a bar of gourmet dark chocolate, a bag of coffee from a local roaster -- instead of another unwanted widget, necktie, or pair of cufflinks.
Alex Elle on self-care | @alex_elle
Everyone can use a little self-care these days, and author and self-care facilitator, Alex Elle, is reminding her nearly 1 million followers on Instagram to be gentler with themselves and to practice self care especially during these crazy times. She also shares her personal experiences of resilience and hope in her new book, “After the Rain.”
What Alex says is the biggest misconception about self-care: That it has to be a luxurious splurge rooted in selfishness -- it’s not that at all.
Hack for pandemic times: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you get it wrong! Self-care is a practice that will ebb and flow. You can hold yourself accountable and be patient with your process.
Her advice for anyone struggling during the pandemic: Ask yourself three questions when addressing a difficult time: why, how and where. That means greet whatever is hard with curiosity -- ask why am I having a hard time, how is it manifesting and where is it showing up in my life. It’s important to greet our negative feelings with curiosity and compassion.
Best piece of advice: Self-care IS community care. Show up for yourself first so that you can show up for those around you as your most intentional and fullest self.
Dr. Danielle Jones on parenting | @mamadoctorjones
Dr. Danielle Jones -- a.k.a. Mama Doctor Jones -- is an OBGYN and mother of four from Texas who discusses everyone’s burning questions related to parenting and birth control on her Instagram page and YouTube, Mama Doctor Jones, where she has over half a million subscribers.
What Dr. Jones says is the biggest misconception about parenting: Everyone assumes there’s one best way to parent, but they’re wrong. Science would say specific parenting styles have very little correlation to the future success and mental well-being of your children. So, the best way to parent is the way that works for you & your family right now.
Her advice for parents on how to talk to their daughters about healthy vs. unhealthy relationships: This always starts with modeling. Kids believe that relationships should be as presented. If you are in healthy relationships and model that to your kids that will guide healthy relationships to your kids. A lot of times, parents that aren’t in a healthy relationship stay in it for their kids. But the most important thing is to make whatever changes you feel are best for you. It’s also important to have open communication. This goes for you and your kids and also the ones your kids are in a relationship with. It’s a lifelong learning experience with constant communication.
Hack for pandemic times: Pandemic parenting doesn't come with a playbook. Even though it feels endless right now, this chapter of life is temporary. If a little extra screen or a few more treats keeps the ball rolling and saves your sanity, it's okay to make some exceptions to old ideals. Our primary job in this moment and time is to make sure our children feel safe, loved, and listened to.
Best piece of advice: We do the best we can with the information we have. As you learn and grow, give your parenting self the grace to change your mind without attaching guilt.
