I’ve had a rough week and due to this, I’ve felt unmotivated when it came to blogging. This is what led me to accept the Behind The Blogger Challenge.
Despite my woes, opening Twitter on Friday morning, I had a lovely surprise with @DTblogs tagging me in his getting to know me post.
I love these kinds of posts. They allow us to get to know bloggers better and it’s fun. I genuinely felt a pang of excitement at knowing this was now the first task on my blogging to-do list for the weekend. What a great way to get back into blogging!
With the week off from my job, I can spend time doing what I love. A mix of blogging and resting. Bring on the daytime naps with the little one. Hopefully this post is the beginning of getting ahead on my blogging tasks.
Here are some things you don’t know about me and I haven’t yet talked about on the blog. Let’s get into Behind The Blogger Challenge
I completed two 10k races
I am no runner. But I gradually worked up from smaller runs. I found running helped my mental health and it became addictive to set my mind free and just go for it.
Conquering not one, but two 10k races, I am immensely proud of myself. It was one of the toughest challenges, simply because it did not come easy to me and in all honesty, I didn’t train enough for either race. But I did it! And I still have the medals on display. My little one plays dress-up with my Race For Life, 5k medals. Who knows, maybe we will dress up and do one together to honour my family members taken too soon by cancer.
All my grandparents were taken by cancer
A grim and scary fact, but something which affects families across the world. My relatives were impacted by different forms of cancer and therefore doctors have assured me the heredity risk is low. However, I went through an extremely angry period in my late teens because I never met my grandma due to this awful disease. It’s probably what prompted me to participate in these fitness events. I have predominantly raised money for cancer charities. I think it’s also why I am spiritual and somehow feel a connection to my loved ones.
I wear glasses
It didn’t happen until I was in my early 20s, but my dad always warned me it would.
Luckily I can still see quite well without my glasses and mainly need them for working and watching television. Or these days when I’m in zombie mode. Your eyes don’t function properly on five hours of sleep and a busy day ahead of you.
These days I have trendy colourful frames and they suit me. I also feel more intelligent when I wear glasses for work. What is it with that perception people have?
I am civilly partnered but we call it marriage
I have a blog post in my drafts all about this, so one day you can all read about it.
The basic gist of it is, we wanted to be a partnership, neither of us like much attention (we were glad it was a restricted guest allowance during lockdown) and we wanted an even, fair legal partnership. Therefore we decided to be civil partners.
You can turn it into a marriage further down the line and if we ever did, I envision an all-inclusive in Mexico for three weeks, with the little ones older and involved. Mexico was our first holiday as a couple and what an unforgettable experience. Whilst I was there I checked out the wedding brochure and it’s cheap to do, compared with UK prices.
I eat raw patatoes and frozen chips
Before anyone asks, I’ve done this for years. Not as a result of pregnancy. Although during pregnancy I completely went off most of the foods and drinks I loved. Strange.
I think the raw potato thing comes from Sunday dinners at home when my mum would leave potatoes soaking in the pan and they looked yummy. I also like the crunch. I can’t explain the frozen chips thing, but every single time I cook them I eat at least 1 or 2 before putting them in the oven.
I volunteered to visit the elderly
I was previously part of a charity that receive referrals for befriending an older person, who may be vulnerable and in need of company. As you can imagine, this was very rewarding and I am always on the lookout for new volunteer opportunities. Unfortunately, due to being pregnant and super busy all the time, I had to stop.
If you’re interested in doing this, check out the Age UK befriending service.
Final thoughts
Honestly, I’ve loved writing this Behind The Blogger Challenge piece and I feel like I was meant to be tagged in it. It’s brought back my writing mojo.
I nominate these amazing bloggers to accept the challenge if they feel able to do so:
ClaireMac
TheBlackPrincessDiaries
I could never run a 5k let alone a 10k let alone TWO 10k’s…that’s amazing! Do you have astigmatism like me? I found out I had it in 9th grade and I was not happy at all lol. Loved learning about you and thank you so much for nominating me!
I honestly dont know how I completed the 10k races. I think willpower takes over you!
Just Google astigmatism – sorry you’ve experienced this. I am long-sighted in one eye and short-sighted in the other. I get headaches if I don’t wear my glasses.
Wow! Raw potatoes? I never had it – always boiled it first. I’m good at running but I’m not sure if I could handle 5k or 10k. Would love to try and push myself more next year 🙂 Thank you for sharing this x
I know, the raw potatoes thing is a bit crazy. Can’t eat too many because I don’t think they are good for your digestive system, but I love them.
I had to really push myself to complete the 10k’s, but it’s amazing you find the motivation from somewhere.
I am reading this at 4am having woken up feeling really anxious. And it’s really cheered me up, thank you!
Wow 2 x 10ks is super impressive! I have tried the couch to 10k app a few times but never made it past 5k. I just need to put in a bit more effort.
Hmm raw potatoes! I’m irish so you’d think we’d love all types of potatoes but I’m not sure about raw!
Thank you so much for the tag, I look forward to writing this post 😊
Aww, I am glad this post cheered you up. But sorry to hear you were dealing with anxiety.
5k is amazing and you should be proud. I think my determined personality saw me through the 10k races. Once I agree to something, there is no going back. Signing up was the biggest hurdle. The rest I kind of muddled through.
It is good to know more about you. I think I need glasses now. I squint.
Aww no, maybe you need an eye test. And I am glad you all got to know me better. Love these types of posts.
Looking out for the elderly is such a lovely idea, and I love this post! I feel I know the blogger behind the blog a little better 🙂 x
I loved working for this charity. It feels good to give something back.
I’m glad you feel you know me a bit better now.
this is such a fun tag / challenge that’s floating around. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of some things about you. i’m sorry to hear about your grandparents. Cancer is such an evil disease.
It’s so much fun and I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Cancer is evil. I hope we see a cure within our lifetime.
Such interesting facts. I also wear glasses and we call ourselves a marriage despite only being in a domestic partnership. Also 2 10K races, you must be freaking amazing!
I kind of like my glasses now.
It’s also good to know other couples use labels they are comfortable with and don’t conform to other peoples’ expectations.
The first 10k I trained for, but the second I muddled through. On the second, I beat my time though. This is how I know mindset is a powerful thing.
Interesting facts! I also wear glasses and started wearing them when I was eleven, although I should have been wearing them much young! Thank you for sharing these facts x
Alexis| http://cafe-beauty.com
Thank you and it’s great to get to know more about other bloggers as well x
I love how much a blogging tag can change your mood; I had the same reaction as well. I hope this week will be better for you. 💜
Congratulations on completing two 10k runs! I need to get back into running, as it really does positively affect your mental health, doesn’t it? 😊
I always found the assumption that you are smart if you wear glasses weird. I wore glasses when I was younger (contacts now), and people treated me differently when I wore my glasses. Do you have a favourite pair of colourful glasses?
I have some strange eating habits, but I can’t say I’ve tried frozen chips. Each to their own, though! I can see, however, the appeal of raw potatoes, for some reason.
Thank you for sharing this post; it was great to learn more about you! 😊
Things are improving a little because I have accepted the change and intend to put measures in place to help.
Running does positively impact your mental health. It did wonders for me. I also need to get back to some form of exercise.
It is a strange thing, that we treat people differently because they wear glasses. I have blue frames and love them.
That is good! Little by little is a great way to progress, and it is amazing that you intend to put certain things in place to help. 😊 I wish you the best of luck with it.
I think I need to get into some form of indoor exercise first, as the mental barrier of ‘it’s cold outside’, demotivates me and I end up doing nothing.
Blue frames sound amazing! I have a simple black pair, but I mainly wear contacts now. 😊 Thank you for your response.
Woah! Frozen and raw potatoes!! I have never thought of that.Now, I kinda want to try it haha I hate running with a passion but I’d love to build up and try out some marathon runs too. I would love to do 5k or 10k runs to start and build up! Loved reading this x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
It’s a crazy thing to eat, but I love them.
I need to get back into running and build up slowly again.
Glad you enjoyed the post x