Q and A with Roshni Patel, Mum Influencer @poshlemons

What inspired you to start instagramming?

To be completely honest it was all for myself really. My friend visited me when I was having a really bad time mentally, I had been off sick from work and was hiding away in my flat, she came over to try and put a smile back on my face. We ended up looking at Instagram – she showed me more of what it was all about, the types of accounts you can follow, the types of things people post, and I took it as a mini project.

On the road to recovery, I managed to get out the flat making little trips to cute coffee shops around the area (we lived in London, just by Tower Bridge).

I used these trips to coffeeshops to practice mindfulness.

– the smell as soon as I walked into a coffeeshop

– the delicate detail in the latte art

– the warmth I could feel in my body after that first sip

– the sounds of the coffee machine, people chatting away, coffeeshop acoustics, all surrounding me like a snug blanket wrapped over my shoulders

Were you open about your mental health from the start?

My account at this point was private. It started out just for me and my family and friends I had on there. I wasn’t very open about my mental health as actually at that time I was almost ashamed of what was happening to me.

The years went by, I became a mama to two gorgeous girls; Asha 4yrs and Maya 2yrs. It was after having my second (Maya) during the pandemic that I learnt the importance about being open and honest about my mental health.

Learning that writing about my struggles was helpful to me and also to other mamas was huge thing for me. During 2020/2021 new mums were deprived of the usual mum and baby groups, and I found a mummy group on IG and with it a tribe of supportive mamas – it took off from there and I made my account public.

I share pictures of my journey through motherhood and life, write the truth behind them, the ups/the downs/the pretty/the ugly. I also get to work with incredible brands promoting products I am discovering along this journey and ones that I truly believe in.

Going back to ‘it was for myself’ it still is really – I like scrolling my own page and being reminded even though there are tough times there is light and it will be okay.

Where did the name Poshlemons come from?

As you now know, life gave me lemons … and my nickname is Posh / Poshni  because I was and still am a bit of a pampered pooch, being the youngest sibling, amongst two boys. ‘Poshlemons’ is a bit random, but it stuck, and I quite like it; it’s not trying to be anything but me.

Who is one of your biggest inspirations – either professionally or personally?

MAMAS of all kinds- working, stay at home, single, married, widowed, young, mature, in the middle, you name it!

After having my first I had this newfound respect like never before for all mothers. What women go through from wanting a baby, growing a baby, to birthing them and keeping them alive. Mind blown, we’re bloody super humans!!!

What do you think makes your page successful?

I tell the truth. The pictures may be pretty but the words will tell you the ugly behind the scenes whether that’s on the grid or on my stories. That’s how I connect with my followers, we are always in it together.

The comfort we all find in others going through the same thing is beyond amazing. It’s not that we’re thriving off others who are suffering but the fact that we are helping to heal one another.  

What’s the hardest part of managing your page?

Trying to respond to everyone. I don’t ever want my followers to feel as if they are being ignored. I have so many lovely people constantly engaging on my posts which I love to see and interact with. But some days I fall behind on catching up and it makes me feel like a crappy friend.

Do you find it easy to balance work and play?

I really struggled with work life balance especially after returning from maternity leave (both times). Each time had its challenges.

After Asha it was a huge shock because I didn’t return as ‘me’, I was someone different. I was a mum with a different perspective of life and a new set of priorities. When I was at work, I wanted to be at home with my baby but then the times I was at home with her I wanted to be at work.

I’d like to think I have a good balance now though; I work full time however I get my pockets of happy in so many ways.

I make the most of the days I do work from home by utilising breaks well; going to the gym, grabbing a coffee with a friend, insta journalling, spending more time with the girls – I am able to do the school/nursery runs, finish work without a commute and go straight into play. I make a point to go into the office once a week as a change of scenery which has massively helped me appreciate the flexibility working from home does give me.