this episode is exactly what it sounds like

i talk about the reality of making a stupid decision in thailand, getting arrested, and having to deal with the consequences- financially and mentally

but this isn’t just a storytime

it’s about accountability, growth, and the lessons you only seem to learn the hard way

i get into:

– saying no to opportunities because i didn’t think i deserved them

– why so many young people feel stuck right now

– the difference between being unemployed and economically inactive

– what turning 24 has actually taught me so far

– and why doing things scared might be the only way forward

this episode is a bit chaotic, a bit honest, and very real

because i don’t have it all figured out…

i’m just learning as i go

insta: zi’s corner🎙️✨ (@ziscornerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

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in this episode of zi’s corner, i’m joined by my good friend edan as we sit down in thailand for one of the most honest and unfiltered conversations i’ve had on the podcast so far

what started as a structured idea using a number generator quickly went off track, but what came out of it was real, raw and reflective

we talk about growing up, friendships, relationships, religion, travelling and what it actually means to figure life out in your twenties

this episode is a little chaotic at times, but it’s grounded in honesty and lived experience

because at the core of it, this podcast is about understanding who you are, where you’ve come from, and where you’re going

your lived experience is a source of strength

you can find edan here: instagram.com/edan.malcolm

thanks for tuning in x

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but i still showed up.

this episode is about the in-between days. the days no one glamorises. the pressure to always be “on”, always producing, always disciplined.

we talk about emotional bandwidth, nervous system burnout, gratitude, and why it’s okay not to be at 100%.

the world feels heavy right now. perspective matters. you’ve still got breath in your lungs.

it’s okay to be off. it’s not okay to give up on yourself.

(reupload was audio was meady)

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this episode focuses on housing, stability, and the transition from being a looked after child to becoming a care leaver. turning 18 is often framed as freedom. for many of us, it feels more like a discharge into adulthood without a safety net.

using maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a lens, i unpack why housing is not “just accommodation” but the foundation of everything. when safety and shelter are unstable, confidence, education, employment, and mental health all become harder to sustain.

i share my experience of waiting five years for permanent accommodation, discovering water damage after signing my tenancy, moving multiple times in a short period, and learning how to advocate for myself with the support of settle. this is not about blame. it is about accountability, systems, and what corporate parenting should mean in practice.

i also previously featured on the settle down podcast with settle, where we spoke about housing, stability, and leaving care. you can listen here:

https://shows.acast.com/settle-down-podcast/episodes/6932fa01a63c6eaa5968fe5a

care experienced people are often reduced to statistics. behind every statistic is a nervous system, a young person, and a story that rarely gets told properly.

disclaimer: this episode contains discussion of suicide, mental health struggles, housing instability, and systemic challenges within social care. please listen with care. if anything feels overwhelming, consider reaching out to someone you trust or a professional support service in your area.

sources and references:

my insta: @zizaanjum

maslow, a. h. (1943). a theory of human motivation. psychological review, 50(4), 370 to 396.

department for education (2023). children looked after in england including adoptions.

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/

department for education (2023). outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-children-in-need

become charity (2022). care leaver survey findings on housing and support.

https://becomecharity.org.uk/

settle, uk charity supporting care experienced young people with housing and financial stability.

https://www.wearesettle.org/

part two will explore identity, attachment, and how growing up in care shapes your sense of self long before you turn 18.

take care x

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if you’ve ever confused intensity with love, stayed longer than you should have, or wanted to be chosen more than you wanted to feel safe… this one’s for you.

in this episode of zi’s corner, i’m unpacking the relationships that shaped me, the rusty foundations i didn’t realise i had, why the dating scene feels a little bit meady right now, and the psychology behind it all - attachment styles and how your childhood sets the blueprint for your adult relationships.

yeah. we’re going there.

my insta: @zizaanjum

sources n further reading:

bowlby, j. (1969). attachment and loss.

ainsworth, m. (1978). patterns of attachment.

mikulincer & shaver (2007). attachment in adulthood.

hazan & shaver (1987). romantic love as attachment.

van der kolk (2014). the body keeps the score.

porges (2011). the polyvagal theory.

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in this pilot episode of zi’s corner, i reflect on mental health, care experience, and what it means to rebuild differently. i share parts of my story not for sympathy, but to educate, to inspire, and to remind you that your lived experience is a source of strength, not weakness.

mental health matters because it shapes how we move through the world, how we relate to ourselves and others, and how we survive when life feels overwhelming. for me, this topic is extremely close to my heart. i know what it feels like to keep going when you’re exhausted, to rebuild without a blueprint, and to find meaning after things fall apart.

this episode is about slowing down, protecting your energy, and finding anchors that help you keep going — even when life feels heavy. it’s about choosing softness where you can, and honesty where it’s needed.

if this space makes you feel a little less alone, then it’s doing exactly what it’s meant to do.

my instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/zizaanjum

support & resources (uk):

• samaritans — call free, 24/7: 116 123

• text shout to 85258 for confidential support by text

• mind: https://www.mind.org.uk

• nhs mental health services: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

thank you for tuning in 🫶🏽✨

take care of yourself, always.

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in this episode, i talk about why so many of us glamourise the grind, especially in our late teens and twenties, and how that culture quietly affects our mental health, confidence, and belief in ourselves.

i reflect on hustle culture, burnout, and the pressure to always be busy, alongside my own experiences and research around stress, sleep, and capacity. i also share what protecting your energy has looked like for me, without guilt and without pretending i’ve got it all figured out.

this episode is for anyone who feels tired, overwhelmed, or stuck in the cycle of doing more to feel like enough.

you can connect with me on instagram:
@zizaanjum

my linkedin: Aziza Anjum | LinkedIn

if anything in this episode brings things up for you, please don’t sit with it alone. if you’re in the uk, you can call samaritans on 116 123 or text shout to 85258

sources i used:

• https://www.who.int

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression

• https://www.sleepfoundation.org

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