You are my sunshine: Sunshine Blogger award

Alright, so I’ve received two nominations for this now, so I’m starting to feel like I should actually join in.

Full disclosure: I am going to answer two sets of questions that my nominators posed, but I’m probably not going to nominate eleven people, if any at all, and I’m unlikely to think of any questions. I’m joining in for the sake of getting into the spirit, and as they’ve gone to a lot of effort to think of some questions it seems polite to answer. Also, I love talking about myself and am certain that everyone is desperate to know more about me. Blogging about my mental health means I am a total enigma, after all.

Thank you for the nominations from Ida from Around the Ward in 80 Days and Bethany Ellen!

They are both excellent and anyone who’s reading this instead of their blogs has got their priorities all wrong.

The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and share their blog link.
2. Answer the 11 questions that you were given.
3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and create 11 new questions to go along with it.
4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post or on your blog.

Alright, so on with the questions!

Ida’s Questions

1. If you were magically given the abilities to do any job in the world, what would it be?
   Hmmm. Maybe a vet or a marine biologist or something cool like that. I was never that good at science but I do have a lot of enthusiasm for animals, so I could just be magically gifted with some scientific know-how and I could save the world!
2. A weird little habit that you have?
   I’m pretty sure all my habits are weird, mate.
3. Do you believe in ghosts?
   I want to say no, but I’m afraid that would be a lie. I’m not religious, so it’s nothing to do with that, but I do think that there is the possibility of there being *something* that we haven’t yet found an explanation for. I mean, a lot of ghost stories are made up and the ‘proof’ I’ve seen has been laughable a lot of the time, but I don’t sincerely think that everyone who claims to have seen a ghost is making it up.
4. Where do you get your ideas for blog posts?
   I just think about the weird stuff my brain does, and then assume that other people want to hear about it.
5. How long does it take you to write a post?
   It varies. It can take me half a day for the longer ones, or a couple of hours for shorter ones. I also put a lot of effort into making nice pictures for Instagram and Pinterest which takes up more time, so it’s nice when people think my blog is sunshiney 🙂
6. What’s your pet peeve?
   People who walk in a group, take up the whole pavement, and then walk really slowly. Also men who manspread or think it’s alright to say things to women in public.
7. What sort of blogs do you follow yourself?
   A lot of similar blogs to mine, really. I should probably branch out a bit, but I like hearing other people’s stories.
8. How long have you been blogging?
   A couple of months, I think I started at the end of March.
9. How has the ‘journey’ been so far?
   It’s been good – I’ve had a positive response to my writing which is amazing, I’ve realised I actually enjoy writing and this style of writing seems to suit me best. I’m no good at fiction or anything like that, so it’s nice that I’ve found an outlet. I’ve learned a lot as well, about myself and my thoughts as well as more practical things like how to use Pinterest and make pretty pictures on Canva, stuff like that.
10. Has anything surprised you about blogging?
    Honestly, that I haven’t run out of things to write about yet. I thought I had about six weeks worth of posts in me, tops.
11. What would a perfect day be like?
    It would be sunny but not too warm. I would have a menagerie of animal friends ready to play with me all day. I wouldn’t be worrying about money or work. I would eat delicious food and be living or staying at a cute farmhouse in the country. Probably staying, because I don’t think I’d actually adapt to countryside living very well.

Bethany’s Questions

1. Where is your favourite place to shop?

I don’t really know – I’m not very good at shopping and don’t like it much. New Look and H&M tend to suit my needs pretty well, but I want to stop buying mindlessly and try to get more things that will last rather than just breezing through item after item of clothing each year.

2. What is your dream job?

Oooff. Something involving animals, probably, or something where I got to swim in the sea and look at fishies all the time. A fish counter? Just counting all the fish. That’s definitely a legitimate job.

3. Name your number one favourite film ever.

Aaah this is difficult. I would say it’s probably 28 Days Later. I love horror films, and this one has the bonus of actually being pretty scary, but also having a generally amazing story, fantastic acting and a real sense of humanity in it. It’s scary, but almost plausible in a weird way.

4. How long have you had your blog for?

Just a couple of months, I’m pretty new to it.

5. What’s your favourite post you’ve done?

Hmm. Last time I answered this I said Always the Bridesmaid, and I do still like that one. I think Why Are You Always So Tired is creeping up there. That is by far and away my most popular post, so I’ve come to feel the love on it, and I’m pleased that people have found it enjoyable or helpful.

6. What have you got planned for today?

Not much – therapy this afternoon, then a bit of last minute shopping before our holiday tomorrow.

7. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life – what would it be?

I would like someone to invent a deliciously decadent burger for me – I’m talking onion rings, vegan mac n’ cheese, that kind of thing. With fries, obviously.

8. Are you watching a series at the moment – if so which one?

We’ve just finished watching Love on Netflix, and we’re also watching Punisher and cough Yu-Gi-Oh. What? No, YOU’RE a child.

9. Have your ideas for your blog changed since it originally started?

I don’t think so, although I think my original intention might have been to be a bit more serious or have more ‘This is what you do about mental health problems’ type posts. I’ve realised I’m not an expert and it’s only my experience, so I’ve gone more down the road of experiences than the sensational blog headlines you see like ‘TEN WAYS TO CURE ANXIETY WITHOUT MEDICATION IMMEDIATELY’. Yeah, alright mate, I’ll definitely try to go for a walk whilst meditating and being grateful for my life, I’ve never tried that before. Yawn.

10. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Talking about myself. Weirdly, it actually probably is that – I’m letting myself talk about and face things that I’d usually ignore. That, and the amazing people who I’ve found through blogging sharing their stories.

11. Describe your day in three words!

Back to bed (I wish!)

Thank you both for the questions, I enjoyed answering them. I’m too tired and not really focused enough to do my own questions and nominations just now, but I might come back to it over the next week or so 🙂