restoring connection through the apps
This month we're talking about social apps and how they're putting human connection and authenticity back on the agenda.
Facebook has big plans to bring back the OG Facebook where it feels more personal and community driven like the old days. It's been 10+ years since I've used Facebook but I remember being so fond of it in high school and university. Writing long paragraphs on your friend's wall full of inside jokes, updating your status with your feelings about American Idol results, uploading all your digi cam photos from a night out into an album titled 'sUmMeR tImE aNd tHe LiViNg iS eAsY' for all to witness how fun the night was. I wouldn't share half as much now as I did then, but no regrets because that was such a fun time and we all felt so care-free and excited about everything, and loved to document it.
Last year I tried getting back onto Facebook to explore Marketplace but the algorithms were completely off and I felt very disconnected and bored using it. Random ads for food I would never eat and a bunch of irrelevant videos. I scrolled through for a few minutes and then got fed up. Even Marketplace wasn't showing me what I was looking for which made the whole experience flat. As much as I love the idea of Facebook returning to its roots, I don't think I'll be logging back on any time soon. I associate it with a certain time in my life when I was much younger, and I don't think it will serve me the same today. But I do like the idea of it making a comeback and hope others feel the same excitement I did back then.
In more app news, Tinder has also launched an "interactive AI chat experience" to help with your flirting skills?! According to the press release, the aim is to help you with your conversation skills and you're basically role playing a scenario as if you're getting to know someone. You get rated on how you did with additional feedback and criticism provided if needed.
As someone who creates decks of conversation starters with a similar goal (I'm simply encouraging an authentic conversation, but if that leads to flirting, cool), I'm not sure how I feel about it. We need an app for dating and then a game within that app to teach us how to date and have authentic interactions. You could just partner with smaller businesses already doing the work to try and reach that goal? Someone did buy a deck once for a second date which I thought was really cool. A great way to get to know someone through a game. Less pressure because it's the card asking you, not me.
Speaking of prompts, I wanted to end by sharing the best prompts according to dating app Hinge, which have led to the most amount of conversations. I like them as they're really open-ended which means the conversation, humour or seriousness can go in any direction. A good thing when trying to figure someone out!
The way to win me over is
My simple pleasures
I go crazy for
Together, we could
My most irrational fear
We'll get along if
I'm looking for
This year, I really want to
Typical Sunday
A life goal of mine
the trend of walking & talking
As I continue to expand our themed decks, I’ve been thinking about ways to integrate our Love Your Company conversation starters into daily life. People crave connection and I’ve recently been fascinated by the rise of walking clubs and taking up walking as a hobby. Culturally, I’ve always known south asian families to go for daily walks around the neighbourhood after dinner, and I know in India this is also standard practice – also prime time for neighbourhood gossip of course.
When you think about fitness, walking isn't traditionally on the list – it's always the HIIT class, bootcamp, spin – the ones that made you sweat and generally fall under some type of membership. There has been a shift though, and people are leaning into the idea of walking and all the benefits that come from it. If someone told you they were trying to get their steps in for the day, it's a fair assumption that you would think the usual 10K steps. We only know this because walking is becoming a topic of conversation and part of people's wellness journey.
Recent data from Strava's 2024 trend report identified 'making social connections' as the lead motivator for people to exercise, and brands like Alo are tapping into this by hosting their own community walks. Not to forget a few OGs like Hike Clerb (@hikeclerb) and influencers like Lira Valencia (@outsidewithlira) and Amina (@adventureswithamina) who were enjoying that fresh air and spreading the good word before it became trendy.
So where am I going with all this information? There is scope here for people to have an LYC deck in their pockets or backpacks. Credit-card sized and 30 prompts to get the conversation going and flowing. So, in an effort to have our decks on walking routes, we're giving away five of our 'Everyone' decks to different walking groups. This is especially ideal for new groups of people who might be strangers or don't know each other very well.
No strings attached. Simply email hello@loveyourcompany.co.uk or shoot us a DM on Instagram @loveyourcompany_ and let us know you'd like a deck. You can either keep the deck for future walks or pay it forward and pass it on to another walking group to try out.
Now that walking is trending, shall we add talking too?
Thanks for reading.
Priyanka x
March is for women and that woman is my Nanima
This marks the end of Women's History Month and International Women's Day for another year. There really is so much buzz around the month and celebrating women. I tried to plan an event where people could play and connect over the Female Empowerment Deck but things just didn't work out and I struggled to find a venue in enough time to then gather attendees.
Last year I made about 20 mini decks and handed them out on the streets of Richmond in an effort to spread the word about Love Your Company, and well, female empowerment. I'm not sure I achieved either to be honest. It was a nice sentiment but hard to prove impactful. I thought about doing something similar again but it didn't feel right so I decided to leave it and I’m happy I did. It's nice to see women being treated to nice things and experiences but I think you need to be intentional about it and not just add to the noise.
A few days later ironically, I came across this article all about the history of Women's History Month and why it's so much more than having events and gifting. And let me tell you, I learnt a lot so please do have a read. There are so many women behind big inventions like the electric refrigerator and car heaters (!) and you'll understand how the day of recognition came to be in the first place.
On the topic of brilliant women, we also celebrated my Nanima's birthday this month. She is my maternal grandmother and the heart and soul of our family. Every year, and on her birthday especially, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have such a strong presence in my life. It's a real honour to be a granddaughter and I don't take my role lightly. I often think of how much change my Nanima has experienced over the generations and within her own family. Times were so different for her growing up and she's had to experience so many firsts with her own children and then some more with her grandchildren. No longer living in joint families, moving in before marriage, marriage not being the final destination, interracial relationships - these are all things that simply weren't acceptable when she was younger. I'm grateful for her acceptance because no matter how much times have changed, it's still an adjustment.
I've noticed over the past few years Nanima has really embraced her birthday and celebrating it so we like to make it a thing and shower her with excitement and celebrations. I find it interesting when people dread getting older because I think it's such a privilege and joy. I don't think it helps that we live in a time of comparison making us feel not good enough, loved enough or successful enough by a certain age.
Growing up I used to love my birthdays. The parties, blowing out candles, making a wish, all of it - and that's because my family made it a big deal which made me feel really special as a child. As I've gotten older I still like to celebrate but I'm more chilled about it. Do something nice on the day that doesn't have to be anything grand, just something to fill my cup and make me smile. A lil party is a bonus but not a must anymore, haha.