Copyright newsweek
A woman has gone viral for sharing her surprisingly relatable way of unwinding at the end of a busy day. McCall Elkins (@mccallelkins), 31, a real estate agent and content creator, posted a video showing herself in bed before revealing several screenshots of her online shopping—her chosen method of decompressing. The lighthearted clip quickly resonated with viewers, racking up over 4 million views on Instagram. Elkins told Newsweek: “I know many friends that love to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a long day and, for me, I get that same decompression from shopping. I enjoy the ‘hunt’ for a new outfit and I enjoy looking forward to it coming: ‘something to take the edge off,’ as they say. I also find this to be a healthier and more financially responsible vice. I’d much rather invest in a new outfit that I’ll keep and enjoy for years rather than $100 a week on alcohol/cocktails.” Elkins said she hadn’t realized how much of a nightly ritual online shopping had become until she started sharing more about her daily life online. As a mom and real-estate business owner, she described her evening “me-time” as a sacred moment of relaxation. Browsing fashion websites has become a small joy in her routine—a way to wind down while exploring what is new each day. A split image of McCall Elkins lying in bed with a face mask on. Elkins said that online shopping offers her more than just distraction. It is a creative outlet that helps her express herself through fashion. Elkins added that she loves style and fashion and the way she presents herself to the world. “If I like my outfit, it’s gonna be a good day,” she added, noting that finding and styling pieces that make her feel confident is part of what keeps her grounded. When it comes to her favorite things to buy, Elkins gravitates toward versatile, elevated basics that balance her dual roles as a mom and professional. “I love nice pair of denim, elevated basics and comfortable sets that I can mom in,” she said. “I’m learning to find pieces that I can dress down to take my son to the park or dress up to meet a client.” Her recent purchases include denim from Pistola and Mother, tops from Anthropologie, Aritzia, and Free People, basic tees from Leset, and a sweater from her favorite locally owned boutique, Esther Penn. Elkins was stunned by how quickly the video gained traction. She said: “Truly shocking—this video took off immediately on both Instagram and TikTok. It has over 10 million views across both platforms. My husband and I kept watching the comments and reposts roll-in in real time because it was so wild,” she added. “It was so fun to see how many other people related to the video and the sentiment of enjoying online shopping as a sort of release. I’m still in disbelief of the social-media reach—everyday, I see another influencer or content creator remaking the video as well.” Instagram users flooded the comments with their own relatable reactions. “I’ve never felt more seen,” wrote Nicole Jacques. “Yes girl!!! 100% feel this to my SOUL,” said Shannon Schneider. “Bought 3 tops from Zara this morning while making pancakes for my daughter,” shared another viewer. “Yikes. too relatable haha,” added Caitlin Zuniga. “Not sure why all of my order confirmations made it to your inbox but okay,” joked Bailey. Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
