Not So Chic with Elli Freeman

Your Inner Critic Needs to Shut Up

Shame is the voice that turns “I embarrassed myself” into “I’m embarrassing,” “they didn’t text me back” into “I’m unlovable,” and one slightly questionable social intera

He Was Better in My Imagination

I’ve spent most of my life romanticizing everything—relationships, friendships, college, moving to a new city, rainy days, heartbreak… you name it. And while I don’t ever

Why I Didn’t Go to My High School Graduation

I’ve referenced the fact that I didn’t go to my high school graduation before, but I’ve never actually told you the full story of why. My senior year ended with an anony

Let’s Talk About the Inevitable

Grief is one of those things I’ve always been scared to talk about because there’s no perfect way to put it into words. But after losing my grandfather almost two years a

The Highlight Reel Problem

The internet has never been more powerful—or more confusing. Every day we're bombarded with advice, opinions, AI-generated content, perfectly curated lives, and an endles

Confessions of a Late Bloomer

I spent years thinking I was behind. Behind on dating, behind on sex, behind on experience. So I tried to become the kind of girl who could do casual hookups without catc

Respectfully... I Got the Ick

This week we're talking about one of the most unserious—and strangely revealing—parts of modern dating: the ick. From men chasing ping pong balls to wearing Band-Aids, w

Comparison Is Stealing Your Joy

Comparison has a way of making us feel like everyone else is ahead. In today's episode, we're talking about why we compare ourselves, the difference between comparison an

To My Little Sister(s)

Apparently being a big sister became my entire personality. This week we're talking about siblings, the people who become siblings, why I spent 23 years trying to save my

The Mindset Shift That Actually Worked

For years I thought confidence came from fitting in. Dressing like everyone else. Dating the "right" people. Chasing validation from strangers, boys, and anyone willing t

The Loneliness of Being an Old Soul

I've been called an "old soul" for as long as I can remember, but for years it felt less like a compliment and more like a reminder that I never quite fit in. In this ep

I Don't Hate My Body, It's Just Complicated

Body image isn't always self-hatred. Sometimes it's just constantly being aware of your body. In this episode, I share my experience with body image from ballet classes

My Love Life (or Lack Thereof)

In this episode, I'm talking about dating, situationships, heartbreak, and learning how to be okay on my own. From my first kiss in Rome to college experiences that compl

Friendship Breakups Are Breakups

Friendship breakups don’t get talked about enough. In this episode, I’m unpacking the pain of outgrowing people, the heartbreak of feeling misunderstood, and why friendsh

I Thought I Was Fine

In this episode, I’m talking about the summer that completely changed my life. After years of struggling with my mental health, convincing myself I was fine, and learning

I Wasn’t Alone, But I Was Lonely

In this episode, I’m talking about the kind of loneliness where you technically have friends, but never feel like you fully belong. I open up about being the “floater fr

Welcome to Not So Chic

You know the chic version of me, now meet the not so chic one. In my very first episode, I’m reintroducing myself beyond the polished online version and sharing how lonel

Maybe I’m Not Behind, Maybe I’m Just Doing It Differently

In this episode of Not So Chic, I’m talking about the weird guilt of feeling calm in your early 20s, living at home, not going out every weekend, watching everyone else’s

Not So Chic Trailer

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