Lifestyle

A day in the life of Ria Serebryakova – 285K+ Instagram Followers

Published

6 years ago

December 2, 2019

The Model Ria Serebryakova – known on Instagram as Riasalvation, quickly wrapped up more than 285K followers on Instagram. We take a look at why she’s so popular and if there are any social media lessons to learn from her:

Ever since I first saw Ria’s face in the AG Hair commercial on TV, I sat up and took notice, realizing that this girl is going to get far in the modeling world. Her fresh-faced innocence combined with her natural beauty and brooding gaze was all that I needed to instantly go searching into where she had materialized from and to want to follow her every career step from that moment on.

Well, part of that wish was literally realized when I was asked to spend a day with Ria at a photoshoot somewhere in New York. This was a perfect opportunity to learn more about her and to watch her at work.

Even though it is 8 am when we meet in front of the studios she looks ready to tackle the day. The studios are abuzz with people carrying in clothes, shoes, accessories. People are setting up cameras, lights, hair styling accessories, makeup pallets and beverages.

I cannot reveal any details about the shoot as these are to be announced later, but the clothes, shoes and accessories are gorgeous and expensive. Ria has worked extensively with some of the best designers and photographers in Europe and the U.S. since she was first discovered at the age of 18 in Russia.

Within that first year, she had already moved to New York and at her first fashion week in Paris, she did MIU MIU exclusive, both these are great achievements for a new face in the modeling world.

Ria has featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harper’s Bazaar, while she has also appeared on the 2016 “Never Hide” campaign for Ray-Ban and the 2018 L’Oreal Color & Co campaign. Her other clients so far include Forever 21, and Tory Burch.

In an interview a few weeks back Ria spoke about what the highlight of 2019 was so far for her. “Milan, 2019 the Dolce & Gabbana show at Fashion Week. We were surrounded by a fantastic team of hairstylists, makeup artists and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation.”

I know that the photoshoot that stands out most for her so far in her career was the ‘Stranger Things’ inspired fashion shoot for Harper’s Bazaar. Ria says that working with the two young stars of the series, Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp was far more fun than she expected. “I was afraid that they would be bored, but they were both as intent as I on making sure that we have fun as we shoot.” She continues on why it is still so memorable for her, “It was fun to see the contrasts of the featured high-fashion with the weird and the set was filled with dirt bikes, pools, wheels, Christmas lights, and beautiful outfits by Moschino, Versace, and Celine.”

As I watch the activities, I notice that Ria is quietly listening to directions from what appears to be the cameraman, while she calmly allows the hairstylist to get on with her hair.

The photoshoot begins and it is amazing to watch the progress of the day’s work. Everyone is working at a fast pace, but calmly and in harmony. Since this is the first time that I am watching one, I must admit that I was expecting to see the opposite of calm and a bunch of temperamental people.

During one of her breaks I catch up with Ria, and she says that usually, fashion shows are far more hectic than photoshoots. I notice that she does eat something light and ask her about how she keeps her 178 cm frame in shape. “I make sure that I eat a well-balanced diet and when busy like this it’s important to keep up my energy levels with light snacks and plenty of liquids.”

After six hours the photographer finally expresses that he is pleased with the day’s work and results. As everyone starts wrapping up, I reflect on what I know about her career so far and from what I see she not only has beauty on her side, but also the personality and temperament that make her easy to get on with, a huge bonus in the world of modeling.

Ria heads off to change out of the stunning outfit that she has been modeling into her own casual outfit that she came in earlier in the day. When she appears, face free of makeup, I am amazed at how her unusually beautiful features and blue eyes stand out. As we leave the studio together and I greet her, I notice that she doesn’t hail a cab, but walks away with a spring to her step. Now I realize how she stays in shape and forego the cab for a brisk walk back to work!

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

7 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.