11 Questions (Better late than Never...)

      I was lucky and flatter to be tagged by the lovely Story (Sometimes It's Hard) to answer her 11 questions. The rules of the game are pretty simple. I answer her questions, then pick 11 people to answer 11 questions of my own choosing.  She asked my eons ago but I'm finally getting around to publishing my answers: 

     1. Why do you blog? What inspired you to start? 

The short answer: I blog to share my story. 

The slightly longer one: When I was first diagnosed with postpartum depression, I found it immensely hard to believe that anyone else could ever feel the way I was feeling. It was meeting others who had not only been through it, but had managed to recover from it that gave me the courage to fight. I made a promise to myself that, when I was strong enough, I would share my story so that others would realize they weren’t alone. Since starting the blog, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with many other women who are sharing their stories too.  That’s a plus side I hadn’t expected from blogging; that these women have let me know I’m not alone either.

2. What are you proudest of in your life right now?

I’m going through a huge crisis of confidence right now so this is possibly the toughest question I could have been asked.

If I focus on my proudest recent moment, it is organizing a short family trip to London, including spending an afternoon in the city with just my daughter.  Pre-momhood, I wouldn’t give a second thought to planning such a thing, but doing it this time meant tackling the hurdles of indecision, insomnia, anxiety, and self-doubt.

3. What trait do you admire most in others? Why?

Self confidence, for sure. You can conquer almost anything you’ve set out to do if you believe in yourself. And when it doesn’t work out, if you are confident you tried your best, it’s easier to dust yourself off and try again or explore a new direction.  I think self confident people are happy people.

4. If you could meet one "big" or "famous" blogger in real life, who would it be?

Someday I’d like to give Katherine Stone of Postpartumprogress.com a great big hug and thank her for being her awesome self and for everything wonderful about that site. 

5. How do you balance blogging and social media with the rest of your life?

I’m not sure I’d use the word balance, but real life definitely comes first, blogging last.  I connect with family and friends using social media. I couldn’t live so far away from them without using it as regularly as I do. 

I originally joined twitter to give me a place to not think about being a mom. Ironically, the main reason I have continued to use it is for #ppdchat and the #ppdarmy.  That has been a catalyst in my recovering.

I write as a form of therapy but I don’t publish everything I write.  I aim to blog once a week but if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay. Lately I’ve been focussing on getting better so I can be a good wife, mom, and friend so blogging has been put on the backburner. I’ve got a list of topics I plan on covering at some point though.

6. What is the biggest source of support in your life? How did you find it?

My husband.  We’ve been through a lot but somehow he’s still by my side, believing in me (and in us) even when I don’t.

7. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to be an actress.  Or a Rockette.  I stopped going to dance lessons when I was about eight but continued with theatre for a long time.

8. What would you do for fun or self care, if you could do anything you wanted?

This is a question that should be easy to answer but sadly isn’t. I’ve spent so long doing things I have to do that I no longer know what I want to do.  If money wasn’t an object, I’d travel more. There’s so much more of the world I want to see.  On a more realistic front, I’ve recently re-discovered my love of people watching.  Give me a coffee and a park bench in the middle of the city, and I’m pretty content.

9. If you could bring just one book with you to a desert island, what book would it be?

I absolutely love to read so was a little surprised to come up empty when I first thought about this question.  My taste in books varies from Twilight to Derrida, depending on my mood.  For desert island reading, I’ll choose “It’s Not About the Bike” by Lance Armstrong. I’ve re-read it several times.  It reminds me that overcoming hurdles can make you stronger and that fighting does make you a warrior, no matter the outcome. I can always use that sort of inspiration.

10. Do you prefer cake or pie?

Cake. But don’t put fruit in it.  I say, if I’m choosing a big slice of unhealthy cake goodness, don’t mess it up with jam filling or fruit topping just so you can pretend it’s good for me.

11. What is your favorite word? Why?

Hmmm. Let’s go with “shattered,” though I sound ridiculous saying it.  The English use it to describe being absolutely exhausted. I think it paints the picture well just by enunciation alone.

I've tagged 11 more people. Take part if you want. If you’ve already done it, please leave me a comment with the link because I clearly missed it.  If it’s not your thing, that's absolutely fine. If I haven’t tagged you and you want to have a go at the questions, knock yourself out and comment with that link too.

Michelle from The Days are Long but the Years are Short

Ericka from Mum's the word

Jenna from Made More Beautiful

Grace from Arms Wide Open

Pamela at 2 Much Testosterone

Tammi at 1914 house

Clara at www.iwantmymummy.co.uk

Mammasaurus at www.mamasuarus.co.uk

Yuz at www.notjustaboutwee.com

Helen at Attempted Suicide: An Attempy at Recovery

Erin at Happy Noise

My 11 Questions:

1.  What’s your favourite birthday memory?
2. What is your favourite scar and why?
3. What’s the best thing that has happened today? 
4. Where do you spend most of your “me time?
5. What’s the one thing about motherhood you wish someone had warned you about?
6. What is the one thing about motherhood you’re glad you didn’t know ahead of time?
7. Where is your favourite running route? (I  think almost all of you run, but choose a walking route if you prefer)
8. If they made playgrounds for adults, what apparatus would you like to use most?
9. What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
10. Coffee or tea? (My own little experiment on UK/US stereotypes)
11. And finally, because I may be a mom but I’m still not mature when it comes to farts...

         What’s your most memorable story involving “windy pops?”