Sunshine Blogger Award

So, this post is a little different from normal. This week I was honoured to be nominated by Gina, who blogs at Anxiously Running ( http://anxiouslyrunning.co.uk/ ) for the Sunshine Blogger Award. This is a peer nominated award where bloggers recognise each other’s work and particularly examples of positivity, creativity and inspiration in others’ writing. I am very happy to have been thought to meet these criteria since offering support, hope and maybe a little inspiration to others dealing with mental illness is what my blog is all about. The challenge goes that I have to answer 11 questions set by my nominator before nominating my own set of bloggers and asking them to answer 11 different questions. I hope you enjoy finding out a little more about me...here goes! 

• What was your favourite childhood hobby?

I had a few childhood hobbies that I look back on with fond memories now. I think the top two would have to be handbell ringing (very random but massively enjoyable - an old man who lived in my village used to teach about 6 of us kids every Saturday morning and then at Christmas we would go door to door around the village playing to people, like carol singers but way better!) and origami. I used to be able to make all sorts of amazing creatures and useful boxes etc out of paper. Now I struggle to fold a napkin...

• What is your favourite Christmas memory?

Well, other than the handbell ringing tradition mentioned above, it would have to be when I spent one Christmas at my grandparents house with my family, my aunts, uncles and cousins. I remember being overwhelmed by the size of the pile of presents on Christmas morning, it was awesome!

• What would you try if you knew you couldn’t fail?

This is a tough one. Rather than trying something new, I would love to play in the orchestra pit during a West End musical. That’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing since I started learning the clarinet at age 11. I’m nowhere near good enough but hey, if I couldn’t fail, I’d be right there giving it a go!

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Again, a tough one as I haven’t seen most of the world to test it out! Out of the places I have been though, the city which springs to mind straight away is Sydney, Australia. I loved it there - everyone seemed friendly and laid back and the sun was always shining which instantly made people seem happier.

• What is your least favourite food?

Anything with marmite involved. Yuk yuk yuk!

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation. I can’t stand the amount of time I waste getting from place to place, especially now I can’t drive. Public transport makes what should take an hour out of your day last the whole day itself.

• If you had to perform in a circus, what would you do?

I’d be a juggler. I taught myself when I was little and occasionally still impress people with it now. I’d obviously jazz it up a bit by using clubs that are on fire or something though.

• What is your favourite song?

Hmm, I have different favourites depending on my mood. My ultimate favourite piece of music is The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman but regarding songs, it would have to be between Illusion by VNV Nation and Wake Me Up by Avicii.

• What do you do to unwind?

Spending time with my lovely dog helps me unwind. She is always in a good mood and enjoys a good fuss or walk when I need to chill out.

• What is the first thing you notice about someone when meeting for the first time?

Whether they smile or not. I get incredibly anxious when meeting people for the first time so whether I get a smile or not is always important as it tells me whether I can relax or have to keep my guard up.

• What are you passionate about?

I can get quite passionate about a lot of things but given that I write a mental health blog, the front runner would have to be gaining equality between mental health and physical health. It is just not good enough that there is still so much stigma surrounding mental illness and as a result, that so many people suffer in silence. Real parity with physical health would see an end to this stigma but also more funding in the sphere of mental health so that when people did speak out, there would be help available for them rather than the postcode lottery and long waiting times that exist now.

Well, there we go, challenge completed! Hopefully you have found out something you didn’t know about me. Once again, huge thanks to Gina at http://anxiouslyrunning.co.uk/ for nominating me. My nominations will be made on Twitter and my set of questions are below.

1. What was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
2. What is your favourite motivational quote?
3. If you could go anywhere in the world and change one thing there, what and where would it be?
4. If anything could be an Olympic sport, what would be your best chance at a medal?
5. Does your job now (blogging counts if you’re otherwise unemployed!) bear any resemblance to what you wanted to be when you were little?
6. Do you have / would you like any pets?
7. What songs have you totally memorised?
8. Imagine you are writing a book. What would your opening sentence be?
9. Do you prefer being early or late?
10. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
11. How would you spend your ideal day off?