Q&A – Favourite Crisp, Aliens, Blog Advice + Book/Music Talk!

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about reaching 1000 followers! I asked you to ask me questions and I loved the ones you came up with! So thank you to everyone who participated. Here are my answers! (in a post that turned out much longer than I expected)

 

Blogging-Related Questions

 

What made you want to start blogging?

I started blogging back in May 2016 when my friend Lia was telling me about her own blog. I’d never considered blogging before, but it sounded like fun! I created one not thinking much of it; it was simply a place to speak my mind, share my thoughts, be undoubtedly myself. It was a time where I didn’t really feel as confident in my skin, so blogging was a way for me to practice being open about how I feel. Skip a few years later, and it became something more consistent, something I continue to do because I love, but that compliments who I am in real life as a person, rather than replacing it.

 

What’s the vision for your blog or are you just having fun?

It may sound strange, but I never really had a vision for this blog in the first place. I started it as a hobby with no intention of it accumulating lots of views and visitors. It’s always been something I’ve enjoyed doing for fun, because I love writing about subjects I’m genuinely passionate about and chatting to other people who are like-minded.

I’m not sure if I have a vision for where it could go from now. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to grow it further, buy my own domain and monetise the site. However, I’m in no rush to do this. I only want to make that jump when I feel like I’m ready, and that it will be worth the investment.

Nevertheless, I do see my purpose of this blog as a place where I can share meaningful experiences that will help others in their journey of self-development, or to feel understood. So I like to think that’s my vision in some respect, that I can inspire others to make positive changes in their lives.

 

What advice would you give to someone to get more followers and views on their blog?

My top advice would be to interact as much as possible! This is what I did at the beginning of my blogging journey, without realising how impactful it could be. I was always reading other’s posts, liking, leaving comments. It’s how you get yourself out there.

I would also recommend giving social media a try. Since I made an instagram and twitter for my blog, I’ve gained a lot more views and followers – not only through promoting posts, but interacting with other bloggers and diving more into the blogging community. It isn’t for everyone, but it’s a worth a try!

 

What blog post(s) are you most proud of writing?

This is such a difficult question, because I think most of my posts have a puzzle piece of myself within them. However, I think I am most proud of What is a Fixed vs Growth Mindset? because I feel like adopting a growth mindset completely changed my life. I would have never written a post like this when I first started my blog, so it makes me proud to think that I’ve come a long way since then, and that now I can share positive posts that will hopefully inspire you all to do the same.

 

Fun Questions

 

Would you rather live underground or in the sky?

This is a difficult one, because I’m not good with heights, but I also hate the claustrophobic idea of living in small places underground. However, I will have to go with underground, because who said you couldn’t build a super fancy tunnel and a whole city down there?

 

What is your favourite type of butterfly?

I don’t really know all the specific names of butterflies, however I saw one recently that was particularly beautiful and when I looked it up, found out it was the Peacock Butterfly.

 

Would you rather have 376 legs or 376 arms?

Well, doesn’t this sound exciting 😂 I’m going to go with 376 arms because I have a vision in my mind of cooking up lots of meals at 1000x speed and I think that would be pretty cool!

 

Favourite type of crisp?

I don’t eat crisps as much as I used to, but when I do I really love Salt and Vinegar (particularly Pringles)

 

Favourite way to eat potatoes?

Every way! No, but really, I feel like potatoes are good in any form. I do love mash though. Mash is great. With cheese also. And chicken kiev. But that’s not the question.

 

Interesting Questions

 

What would be your dream house?

My dream house would be a balance between big and small – enough space to store all my books, but small enough to feel cosy and homely. I would love to have bookshelves up to the ceiling, a big kitchen for cooking, and a cosy lounge with a large TV for watching films. It would ideally be nearby to nature, so I could go on long walks, but not too far from a town so there are also things to do!

 

What is your favourite song and why? (Or favourite artist if one song is tricky)

I find it almost impossible to pick a favourite song, but even a favourite artist is a tricky one too. My music taste is very varied so it’s all dependent on my mood. However, one of my favourite artists has to be the singer-songwriter Orla Gartland. Her music is super cool, she sings with a lot of passion, and she cares a lot about her fans. Hoping to see her in concert at some point in the future!

Also, I have to put this out there, I’m loving Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore. If you haven’t listened yet (regardless of whether you’re a fan or not), I recommend you do!

 

What is your favourite book and why?

Again, a very tough question, because a lot of different books have affected my life in a lot of different ways. However, in classic “me” style, I’m going to recommend The Humans by Matt Haig yet again, just because it’s such a unique book with a very interesting reflection on what it means to be human. But also Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – that book is absolutely life changing I genuinely believe everyone should read it at some point in their life.

 

What project are you most hoping to finish this year?

During lockdown, I wrote the first draft of my first novel and I would love to be able to finish the editing process of this by the end of this year!

 

What language would you like to speak fluently?

This is a tricky one – I think Spanish would be widely beneficial, but I learnt German for GCSE and really enjoyed it, so would love to be able to speak it fluently.

 

Deep Questions

 

Do you think existence is an illusion and that none of us actually exist?

I don’t think anything can be entirely ruled out – and we shouldn’t rule anything out because it limits us – but I do hope that we are real. However, I also think that, even if we’re not real, does it matter? If we can still live happy lives and feel like we’re purposeful, then it shouldn’t matter if we are non-existent creatures. I suppose it links to Descartes popular phrase: I think, therefore I am. We feel alive, so isn’t that all that matters?

 

Do you think aliens are watching us?

I’m unsure about this one. I’ve always been the kind of person to have neutral stances on religion, extra-terrestial creatures and the like, because I don’t like to believe or rule anything out until I’ve seen it in the flesh. Alien life could exist, but what makes it alien life and not another form of human or animal? I think we alienate what we don’t understand, but it doesn’t mean it can’t become familiar and become part of our world. I reckon there’s definitely something out there, but what it is, I don’t know. One day we will perhaps find out.

 

Who are you, really?

Who is anyone, really? No, I’m joking, but there is some truth to it. I don’t think you can ever fully know anyone. We can’t enter anyone else’s mind. So who am I really? I guess you’ll never know…

 

 

Thanks again to everyone who sent me questions! I really enjoyed answering them. I hope this gives a little more insight into my blogging journey and who I am behind the blog!

What was your favourite answer?

Do you agree with me on any topics?

Let me know in the comments below!

 

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You can find me on social media here:

Instagram: @mymindspeaksaloud

Twitter: @mindspeaksaloud

Goodreads: mymindspeaksaloud