Hello and a happy Saturday to you,
Your Uplift is arriving a day later than usual as I started a new full-time job this week and on Thursday night when I often write it, I went to bed at 9pm. Hashtag self-care.
Starting a new job while working remotely has its challenges - including the usual getting set up, phone calls to IT and trying to not get Zoom fatigue. But it’s been such a busy and exciting week and I’m really happy to be part of a lovely team and to have lots to get stuck into.
I’m also really glad it’s now the weekend. Although my Saturday has been taken up thus far by waiting for a washing machine to be delivered after my old one gave me a massive electric shock. The new one has just arrived and my first washing load in weeks is on. Hopefully my weekend is going to get a bit more thrilling from now.
My remit in my new job includes the Independent’s newsletters, events and AMAs. This week, we held a virtual event on tackling violence against women with four amazing panelists including MP Jess Phillips, Farah Nazeer, Eleanor Lisney and Shaista Aziz. You can watch back the full event in the article I’ve linked to. Our next one is a look back on a year of President Biden with some US experts so follow that link if you want to sign up for a free ticket. Let me know if you have any brilliant ideas for future events as I will be getting the ball rolling on those from next week.
One of our AMAs (Ask Me Anythings) was with chief political correspondent John Rentoul, who answered questions on the PM’s future. I made the top questions and answers into an article here.
Uplifting News Stories
‘I feel I’ve made a mark’: the man who built homes for 60,000 swifts | Guardian (thanks everyone who tagged me in this one!)
Woman reunited with missing cat after recognising meow on phone call | Standard
Bionic eye implant helps blind 88-year-old to see again | BBC Science Focus
A black hole is giving birth to stars, Nasa finds | Independent
Stranded dog saved from drowning after rescuers attached sausage to drone | The i
Features Worth Sharing
Look at your webcam, not your monitor during Zoom calls | Mashable
I’m Still Waiting for Nose Positivity to Take Off | Jezebel
I may have bought my home alone, but unexpected kindness means I'm not at all lonely | Telegraph
Forbes celebrates 50 women over 50
Have a lovely weekend,
BB x
This is The Uplift, a weekly newsletter by me, journalist Becky Barnes. If you enjoyed it, feel free to buy me a coffee.
The Uplift will arrive in your inbox every Friday, featuring good news and self care. I also have a podcast about life advice.
A bit about me: I’m a journalist living in London. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram.