Mental Health Awareness: You’re Not Alone (Part 1)
One in four people are impacted by a mental health issue in their life. As part of a new series, bloggers speak to try and raise mental health awareness.
Weekly Update + 4 Year Anniversary
Weekly update time! Today we look at my relationship that reached the four year mark (woo!) + a new Facebook group, and some other cool lifestyle choices!
The Reality of Now: Nine Weeks In
Coming into the nine-week mark being separated by border restrictions from my partner – this is a quick journal update of my reality of now.
How to make a quick and easy sugar scrub
Ever wanted to learn how to make a super quick and easy sugar scrub? We can show you how with minimal mess and ingredients!
Things to do when you’re not working
Out of work due to Covid? Or spending more time at home than you thought? Here’s a massive list of things to do when you’re not working!
Get to Know Me Questions – Part One
I had a super successful twitter poll last week where a bunch of people responded*, and 50% said that they wanted to see a new "Get to know me" post. I also realised the last time I actually did an about me post was two years ago when I first started the blog, and that's pretty damn terrible read if I do say so myself.
So! I'm listening to the masses and creating this sparkling new blog post of frequently asked questions and queries!**
*if you count a bunch of people as er, two people **they haven't been asked at all, tbh.
1. What is a band that you listen to that people might not think you would?
One of my favourite bands at the moment is actually a hip-hop duo from South Africa; Die Antwoord. Their music is actually crazy, incredibly in your face and the polar opposite of the usual Australian hip hop I'd normally be listening to - and yet somehow I managed to get within their 1% of Spotify listeners a few months back. They actually just released a new album which I was super excited for as I didn't think they were on this indefinite hiatus for a while, but I'm not super loving the new songs which is a bit of a shame.
2. Do you have any hidden skills or talents?
I'm not sure if I would call it a talent or a skill - but I'm really partial in learning new languages. I studied French for four years. I also started to learn Auslan (Australian Sign Language) for a few terms, and have also been dutifully logging into Duolingo every day to learn Indonesian. Am I fluent in any of these? Nope. Can I somewhat understand what people say and/or write? Yes to French and Indonesian - not so much for Auslan anymore.
I can also touch type with an average speed of 92 WPM, and actually type faster if I'm not concentrating on the screen (ie, eyes closed) and I also freak people out by looking at them rather than the screen whilst typing which is always fun!
3. Where was your first trip that you can remember?
The first trip I can remember going on was when I was about five or six. For some reason, my parents thought it'd be a fantastic idea for me to travel on my own halfway across the country to spend some time with my Aunt and Uncle in Alice Springs. (That was a fair solo journey!) I had a really great time. They had a spa in their back yard which was awesome. I got my head stuck between the iron bars on their bed (not so awesome). We road-tripped across half of Australia to visit my other relatives in Sydney which was pretty sweet - until the last day when I lost my toy Dalmatian, I'd only got a few weeks prior for Christmas. There are some pretty amazing photos of me in a total meltdown because of it. Good times!
4. How do you want other people to see you?
This is actually a super tricky question now that I've written it down. (Slightly regretting putting it in!) I guess I'd like people to see me as a really friendly person with a super bubbly personality. I'd like to be seen as someone who will try and go out of their way to make people happy.
I'm super passionate about speaking up about mental health issues and awareness, and would also like to be eventually seen as a voice of said awareness as well.
5. When you were younger - what careers did you want to pursue?
- A vet (I can't deal with seeing surgery)
- An astronaut (too short)
- A Disney Princess (also too short)
- A Model (I get terrible, terrible mental health problems pursing anything model related)
- A tour guide (still technically not too late)
- A photographer (As above)
- A sex therapist (also wouldn't say no!)
6. What is a quote that you relate to?
Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves.
— “The Body Keeps The Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk
I actually read the quote before reading the book - and the book is actually a really great non-fiction read and actually explained a lot of why my brain processes trauma different than some other people. Admittedly, I had to stop reading about halfway through because it was a fairly confronting read, and my headspace went. I'd be keen to continue it again at some point though ♥
7. Name a place that you'd love to visit
Chicago has been calling me years and years. I'd love to visit. Do I know what is there that I'd like? Not a clue. But you know those times where you just have a feeling you need to do something, or go somewhere? Chicago is that place for me. Morocco and the Maldives are actually other places that keep popping up every couple of months which I'm sure means I should probably check them out as well sometime soon. If you've got any insider knowledge about them - feel free to drop a comment below!
8. What do you like to do in your downtime?
I actually enjoy being on the computer, more than anything. I play a lot of online games. My favourite has to be Marapets, which is kinda like Neopets, except better. (I might be a tad bias considering I've been on the site for like nearly 14 years so...)
I also play quite a bit of World of Warcraft. For offline gaming, I've also just picked the Sims 3 back up again. I really am not digging Sims 4 (although I have nearly all of the expansions.) I love Civ5, and also just picked up Animal Crossing: New Leaf again after a few years ♥
I super enjoy watching Youtube and a couple of my faves currently are;
MrBeast - great for entertainment and heartwarming content
Jessica Kobeissi - she's a really good fashion photographer and I've found I've adopted a lot of her mannerisms (whoops)
Mango Street - a photographer couple who just produce AMAZING
Plumbella & Steph0sims - two of the best YouTubers who feature doing Sims playthroughs
You can also find my Youtube channel here!
9. If someone wanted to be your friend - what topics could they bring up to start a conversation?
I think I probably covered a few of those in the last question! I'm always up for conversations on:
- The Sims
- Harry Potter
- Animal Crossing
- Photography
- Anything blog-related
- Travel & Adventures
I also accept showing of hilarious Tik-Toks, and frequently used Vines.
10. What are 5 songs that make you happy?
I actually made an Instagram post on how you should make a playlist for songs that make you smile. You can check out my list here. Some have particular memories attached to them, others are just really good for singing along to. There's a couple there that just come with a bit of #GirlBoss vibes and I just love them.
A couple of my favourites:
- So Am I - Ava Max
Do you ever feel like an outcast?
You don't have to fit into the format
Oh, but it's okay to be different
'Cause baby, so am I - High Hopes - Panic! At the Disco
Had to have high, high hopes for a living
Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make a killing
Didn't have a dime but I always had a vision
Always had high, high hopes - 7 rings - Ariana Grande
My wrist, stop watchin',
my neck is flossy
Make big deposits, my gloss is poppin'
You like my hair?
Gee, thanks, just bought it
I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it - Price of Fame - 360
That's what my passion is
And I could go and buy a crazy, fresh Mercedes-Benz
But I would rather help my mates in debt and pay their rent - 1955 - Hilltop Hoods
We're living in the days when everybody sayin'
"What a time to be alive"
But I'm feeling out of place like I live in outer space
'Cause it seems I'm stuck in time
Wooo! That is it for part one! Originally there was going to be all 28 questions in one neat list, but I realised that there's a lot to read so I'll let you get excited for the next part next week.
Was there anything thus far that you're surprised about? Do we have anything in common?
Should we be friends? (insert *gasp* here)
Let me know in the comments!
My Myers Briggs Results! (are we the same type?)
Have you seen the Myers Briggs personality test? It’s creepily accurate! So much so I dedicated this article to my type. Are we the same? Click to find out!
Sunshine Blogger Nomination!
I was very humbled to be nominated for the Sunshine Blogger award – a community driven positivity aware through the blog community. Find out more here!
Blog Name Challenge: Get To Know The Blogger
Have you heard of the Blog Name Challenge? This different direction of a get to know you post is great for engagement with your followers!
12 Months and Look Where I Am
It's been 12 months on from my last post. I honestly thought that I'd be one of those success stories you read about. The "Oh my goodness, she's lost 40kg in one year! Let's celebrate!" type of girl. Alas, that wasn't the case. I got complacent and lazy. I took on injuries, life changes, life halts, life in general. I'm actually refusing to step on the scales at the moment because I know I'm not going to like what I see.
I just took seven (Yep, SEVEN) boxes of clothes from nearly 12 months ago into storage today. Truth be told, I don't fit into them anymore. That's such a massive blow after having so much drive 12 months ago. I guess that's the thing though, and what I preached so much before - you gotta keep trying. It's not an overnight thing, apparently, it's not even a year-long thing - it's a lifetime thing. Maybe that's something I just need to keep reminding myself over and over. The way that I am now didn't happen with one meal or one decision. It was multiple. And to put myself in a positive mindset going forward, it will be the same thing.
So I jumped back in four days ago. I again haven't jumped on the scales. I, however, did buy a new swimsuit and took before photos. I'm taking shakes (which, omg, again goes against everything I've ever said) BUT I'm keeping in a deficit so I'll take that.
I'm also (impatiently) waiting for my gym to open its doors at the end of the month so I can get back into the swing of things. However, with an ongoing elbow (of all things) injury, it's going to be a tough road.
Thank you for tuning back in, I hope you're doing well and can't wait for you to follow this next chapter.
