suzanne van der velde
July 4, 2021Meet Suzanne van der Velde!
Hi Suzanne! Where are you from?
The Netherlands
How’d you find ZOX?
I'm one of the people that saw one ad on Instagram, got intrigued, clicked on it, backed out and kept seeing the ads for ZOX until I caved in and bought my first 3 singles: Tomorrow needs you, Release your Past and I will Survive
What convinced you to join VIP?
I got an email shortly after my first or second-order telling me about the existence of the group so I thought to myself 'why not, I can always leave when I hate it' but I ended up never leaving and becoming an active member. I think most people really got to know me when I shared daily advent calendar videos of my cat Hummer last December because I know that month is rough for a lot of people for different reasons. If you go to the group's hashtag subjects, you can still find most of them under #Catventcalendar
How long have you been a VIP?
My first post was August 27th, 2020
What do you love about being a VIP?
I love that this group is there for each other both on happy occasions like graduation and on sad occasions when a loved one (human or pet) dies. The sheer amount of encouragement and love for others is so amazing to me. Just like the selfless nature of a lot of people when somebody is looking for something specific. I can't count the times I saw someone respond with: 'DM me your address, I'll send it to you'. The first time it happened to me, I believe I triple-checked if she was really going to send me a strap, overseas, without any payment. It felt so weird!
I'm in a hard place again myself at the moment with my mental health. And VIP allows me to share my struggles, they cheer me on, pray for me. The group learnt me that my bullies where wrong, I'm not a loser or just 'a thing' that can be pushed wherever someone wants it. I'm a human that people can love for who I am. I'm a human that is appreciated in what I do. Eventhough things are hard right now I get sparks of joy making cards for other VIP members to cheer them up. To get a happy message when it arrives is the best feeling. I also share ZOX I don't particularly like or have dupes of. I feel uncomfortable to be only receiving so I keep on sharing ZOX further. The most recent I gifted was Good Vibes to a (very good) mental health nurse that is leaving to become an oncology nurse.
What’s your favorite ZOX product?
Wristbands are my top favorite! Due to my autism, I struggle with sensory input and I can never wear normal bracelets for more than a few hours. They'll get too heavy so I have to take them off to reduce sensory input. ZOX however are so lightweight and with a bit of room for me with the size medium I hardly ever have to take them off before the end of the day.
When did you start building your collection? What started it all?
It was Mandy Inglis and her 46 Mystery Packs live opening I swore I could never buy Mystery Packs not knowing what I would get but she kind of lured me in with her enthusiasm. My whole journey is filled with 'I am never going to buy or collect that' and in the end doing it anyway. So I've decided to take ZOX's expression Experience Everything to heart.
Halloween's Monster Month really kicked it off for me. Really diving into the first minute frenzy each day to get the monster you desire. I got lucky on both monsters I wanted: Mr. Oh Boy and Prickly Peter Pepperton.
After that I just kept going for new designs I liked, getting variations on same named items like BeYOUtiful and Tomorrow needs you and I'm now looking out to finish the Nature Pack after getting the complete Fairy Pack and Mythos Pack (in transit).
If you could design your own ZOX product, what would it be, and what would it look like?
ZOX Donation/Carepacks.
Where a charity or (mental health) ward can request a pack for their organisation. They'll have to fill out how many people will be helped and what the group is in need for.
I.e. an LGBTQ+ youth charity has a group of 20 teens so they'll be sent a box with either Human or Love Wins and a letter that explains ZOX and an uplifting message that people from all over the world care for them by the donations they did through their ZOX purchases. For a Veterans charity it could be filled with POW MIA, I got your six, serve with honour, America, the free and so on. The oncology/breastcancer ward could get Survivor. There won't be any unique designs in any of the donation boxes so it's all about the sentimental value over monetary value to deter 'flippers' from trying to get such a box to make a profit.
What do you plan on getting next? Why?
I'm 'on hold' for Zoxlist purchases right now, because I ordered five 3-pack Mystery Packs as a delayed birthday present for myself. They are currently in the 'In transit to destination country' void. It would be a bummer if I bought myself a dupe.
This week's drop will be done when this blog is published but I'm definitely getting Us against the World and Coexist. Us against the World because I love the gold on black design and I feel that's what the mental healthcare system is I'm currently in: Me, and so many others, against them. And Coexist for the amazing flowy rainbow design.
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My first post when I got my singles plus the predicament I was in and ended up in again this year/right now
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ZoxVIP/permalink/3393796727344851/
Fun Fact: All the gold straps I've ever received tell a motivating story together. They didn't came in the 'right' order, but what they make together is just amazing. Another perk of ZOX, no matter at what time you order or where you live you'll always have a chance of getting a gold one.
SET YOURSELF FREE.
With all my heart I know I can keep calm. I am progress not Perfection.
With kind regards,
Suzanne van der Velde
Thank you so much, Suzanne! We loved reading through your responses and your amazing ideas!
Keep an eye out for more of your friends to be featured soon!
Be bold,
Landri