With 37,000 subscribers and counting and over a million views on YouTube, Lucy Wood is absolutely owning the internet right now by speaking out about the things we’ve all been secretly thinking and feeling, from relationship advice to the ultimate shopping spree haul. DTL caught up with Lucy to discuss everything from Cyberbullying to why the world is so quick to dismiss the teenage girl…. what’s not to love right?!?!

“Who run the world?…🎵”

DTL: First of all can you tell us a bit about yourself for those who don’t already know you?
Lucy: Ahh of course! My name is Lucy Wood, I’m 26 years old and living in London, and officially I work as a full time freelance writer, but I also have my YouTube channel on the side. I love Harry Potter in a big way, I drink a lot of coffee and at a party you’ll always find me in the kitchen petting the dog.

DTL: We loved your video on ‘The Power of the Teenage Girl’ can you tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind it?
Lucy: I wrote my script for that video the day after the Manchester terror attack. I’d stayed up all night following the whole disaster unfold with constant updates on Twitter, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so emotionally affected by a public incident. It really hit me, probably because it was so close to home (I’m originally from the Wirral near Liverpool), and also because I spent my teenage years at the Manchester Arena, doing exactly what the victims were doing that night.

They were me, they were my friends, they were my viewers, they were teenage girls. I felt compelled to write something, and those feelings turned into the video that I ended up posting.

DTL: Why do you think teenage girls are so often dismissed as ‘silly’ or not taken seriously?
Lucy: I strongly believe that teenage girls are one of the strongest demographics out there. They’re labelled as silly, and ditsy, and careless and are always so easily dismissed. Their interests are called vapid and stupid. Their passions are called pointless and they’re told they’ll grow out of everything they care about, and it’s something that’s always driven me crazy. It’s just so patronising.

I think a lot of that comes from the fact that this passion often manifests itself in a kind of ‘hysteria’. But the screaming at concerts and the tears at meet and greets and the dedicated fan accounts are only an impulsive display of showing how much they love something so unashamedly and completely. Surely that’s a pretty brave thing to show – no one else seems to do that. Every other demographic seems to keep a prudent lid on their admiration for something, and what’s the point in that?

For some reason, acknowledgement and approval of older men seems to equate to something becoming valid and worthy. I have no idea why ‘cos most older men I know have terrible taste!

DTL: The single most common reason why people are bullied is because of attitudes towards their appearance, what advice would you give to someone who is experiencing appearance based bullying?

“The most important thing to remember is that your appearance doesn’t define you. Nothing about your appearance has any effect on your worth as a human being – whatever your insecurities, you’re so much more than what you look like. – Lucy Wood”

Lucy: No matter how much you tell yourself that, appearance-based bullying can still be very painful. It’s easier said than done, but please try your best not to take it as any personal reflection on you – it says so much more about them than it does about you. You’re absolutely beautiful inside and out, and every little thing that makes you different makes you so much more special. Most importantly, let someone know that you’re struggling and reach out for some help from someone that you trust.

DTL: Have you ever experienced cyberbullying or received negative comments online? If so, how have you dealt with it?
Lucy: I’m very lucky in that I so far *touch wood* haven’t received too much negativity online – I think my YouTube is still small enough to attract a lot more positivity and support overall. But on the odd occasion that I do get a rude comment, I honestly just try and laugh at it. It’s usually something so trivial or bizarre that you just have to have a lol, delete it and roll your eyes.

Usually, feeding the people who troll with a comeback only encourages them. This shouldn’t be the case but, unfortunately, it’s just kind of something that comes with the territory of putting yourself online. It’s important that creators call it out though.

DTL: There are lots of people heading off to uni/college in September. Any advice you would offer?
Lucy: Remember that university or college is the experience that you make it. If you want to go out, meet tons of new people, and go a bit crazy, go for it – just make sure you’re safe and still putting the work in. But on the flip side, if that sounds like your absolute worst nightmare, the same goes – university is what you make it. If you love staying in with movie nights and having a small group of friends, you’ll still totally be able to find your people. Join societies, get involved, remember that everyone is in the same boat and you’re all as lost and confused as each other. Oh, and don’t bother taking a kettle ‘cos there’ll already be one there.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you can ever know.”

DTL: What motto do you live by?
Lucy: She believed she could, so she did.

DTL: Anything you would like to add?
Lucy: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you can ever know.

Also, Order of the Phoenix is honestly the most underrated Harry Potter book. Oh and SUBSCRIBE PLEASE – Love you!

For more pearls of womanly wisdom subscribe to Lucy’s channel on YouTube