Vlogger Zoella: 'Tackling my anxiety is the bravest thing I've ever done'

Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at… interior design. I worked in interiors when I was 18 and have always had a real passion for it, from choosing a colour scheme and furniture to all the little accessories that bring each room to life. I currently have a growing obsession with house plants and have a pink neon sign in my dining room to bring a fun vibe to the dark grey walls.

My best friend is… I don’t have just one. So many of my friends are my besties. Each has little quirks that makes me love them for themselves. Each one brings something different to my life and injects positivity in some way – there’s no time for negativity.

My nickname is… Zo or Zobo, which is how my friends and family know me best. And, of course, Zoella.

The bravest thing I’ve ever done is… tackled my anxiety. It takes a lot of courage and bravery, especially when it impacts on day-to-day life. I’ve been seeing a therapist for over two years and the change it’s made to my life has been so amazing. I never thought I’d be where I am today after struggling for most of my teen and young adult life. Now I’ll always encourage anyone with mental health issues to speak with someone professional as it’s the best thing I ever did. Although it’s very hard at times, it’s totally worth it.

My favourite TV show is… The Great British Bake Off (although Call The Midwife is also up there – it’s very hard to choose). I love every British TV series that feels very cosy. After a long day, Bake Off is perfect for unwinding with a hot drink and a warm blanket on the sofa.

My perfect evening is… watching scary films and having a takeaway with friends, especially as the nights get darker. Not everyone loves a scary film, but group morale is pretty high as you cower behind the sofa together and it always makes for funny memories.

I’d like to say sorry to… my brother for the terrible haircuts I used to give him. I never intended to be a hairdresser, but I went through a phase where I’d cut everyone’s hair. My own, my dad’s, my brother’s and my friends’. I also used to bleach his hair with really cheap kits. He thought it was cool at the time but we look back now and laugh at how terrible it looked. 

The one thing I’d change about myself is… my self-confidence in certain situations. I always doubt my own ability in meetings and conversations with new people and I get really nervous. Once I get going I’m absolutely fine but there’s a tiny part of me that holds back.

The best thing my parents taught me was… to be kind and polite. As the old saying goes, “Good manners cost nothing,” and I try to remember this with everything I do.

The last time I cried was… when my boyfriend surprised me with a Nissan Figaro last week for our anniversary. It has been my dream car since I can remember. I just couldn’t believe it. I made a comment about the car on Twitter over four years ago and he had remembered. It’s a soft top, so I can’t wait for a sunny day to put the top down.

The first record I ever bought was… Spice by the Spice Girls. I still listen to the album to this day – it’s a classic. I love having a sing and dance to it, and being silly with my friends. It’s one of those classics that most girls my age probably had on cassette.

My greatest weakness is… shopping, especially online shopping, it’s just so easy. I buy pretty much everything online, from fashion to homeware and even food. It’s too easy with just a click of a button.

The shop I can’t walk past is… HomeSense. I love the fact that every time I go in there I see different things and there’s often unusual brands from America that I wouldn’t find anywhere else. I absolutely love decorating the house and they have the best decorations for festive seasons.

The most expensive thing I’ve ever splashed out on is… a house. It’s been such a fun project as it needed lots doing to it. It took a few years to get it exactly how we wanted it but it was worth it in the end.

My perfect Sunday would be spent… going on a walk. I especially love going to Brighton beach to blow away the cobwebs. It’s so peaceful on a clear winter’s day. Then I love coming home, putting on the fire and cooking a huge roast with friends and family.

My favourite place in Britain is… either Brighton or Edinburgh, I can’t pick between the two. I love Brighton as it is my home and there are so many interesting things to do – the beach, the pier and the shopping are all amazing. There are so many cute independent shops and designers here. I love going to Edinburgh with my friends near Christmas. It’s so beautiful and quaint and we always have the best time doing Christmassy things, shopping and eating far too much.

My last holiday was to… Mykonos with my boyfriend and his family. I literally did nothing, which was exactly what I needed. Chilling by the pool and going out for lovely dinners. September is a good time to go away, everyone’s gone back to school and it’s lovely to get a last bit of sun before winter sets in.

I’m currently reading… The Cows by Dawn O’Porter. I’m only halfway through but I’m really enjoying it.

The best day of my life was… bringing our pug Nala home. She is a huge part of our family and I don’t know what I would do without her in my life – she is like my child. I’d never owned a dog growing up, so it was a very new experience for me, but it just feels completely normal to have a four-legged friend following me around like my shadow now.

If I had half an hour left on Earth I’d… run to my favourite place, the beach, with one of my favourite things, a pizza. Perfect. 

Zoella Beauty is available at Superdrug and Zoella Lifestyle is available at Boots.