Well today was a lovely surprise. A bright point in a difficult week.

A huge thank you to Cindy for nominating me for the Mystery Blogger Award. Best thing is now it is my turn to share the love!

For those who don’t know Cindy you can check out her blog about managing chronic pain here…

https://validatingchronicpain.com

As a person who manages pain and physical and mental illnesses her blog is important to me. I hope it interests and helps you too.

Right-o onto the formalities 😊

What is Mystery Blogger Award?

“This is an award for amazing bloggers with indigenous posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging and they do it with so much love and passion.” – Okoto Enigma

Rules

  • Thank whoever nominated you and include link to their blog
  • Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
  • Nominate 10-20 bloggers you feel deserve the award
  • Answer the questions from the person who nominated you
  • Ask your nominees 5 questions of your choice with one weird or funny one
  • Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog

Three things about me…

1. My wedding flowers were white daisies, white stock and baby’s breath. When our house is built those will be planted around it.

2. I volunteer for a mental health charity organisation called beyondblue.

3. When we go to nurseries everyone stares at my 3 and 4 year old kids because they pipe up naming the plants. “Oh look Mummy! Look at the lovely Jacaranda”. It always makes me laugh.

Now the questions from Cindy…

What’s the most surprising self-realization you’ve had?

That I’m a lot tougher and capable than I ever thought I was. If younger me knew what life had in store she would swear it will kill me. But I’m still here. Tough as old boots.

How do you hope you will change as a person in the future?

One day I hope to get a little freedom and independence back. I hope will feel less angry and generally tired of the world.

What is the most annoying question that people ask you (if you have a chronic illness/pain, what is the most annoying question that people ask you about your illness/pain)?

“Why don’t you try …. (fasting/cleansing/detox…. Pick any natural remedy known to man)?”

I’ve started replying yep that sounds great but unless they’re a quick fix miracle I won’t be able to walk so I’ll just go with what the rhematologist says thanks.

What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of and why?

Social media. I do get the appeal after all blogging is similar but being tied to my phone doesn’t appeal squat. Plus I really hate when someone is “talking to you” but they’re on social media. How is that showing me I matter?

What’s the best thing that happened to you last week?

My friend came home from hospital finally and is feeling safe. She was very unwell and at risk. Made my week that she is ok.

My nominees…

 Ida

The first mental health blog I read. Ida says it how it is. I have every faith that if more people spoke like this about mental illness stigma would be a thing of the past.

https://aroundthewardin80days.com

Ali

Ali introduced me to the term “flower porn” and constantly makes life better with her stunning photos and the passion behind the words.

The Propagator

Three glorious words… “Six on Saturday”. Mr. P created it and if you check the comments on his blog on a Saturday it is a never fail way to live vicariously through some awesome gardens. Plus he is welcoming to everyone which I really appreciate.

Maureen

Maureen writes about what life at 80 years of age is like. I love this blog. There is nothing that gives me more hope than seeing you can be kick ass and relevant regardless of your age.

http://maureenhelen.com

The Dark Horse

I have a soft spot for Dark Horse. The very first person who replied to my blog. I didn’t tell anyone offline. So Dark Horse’s words of support were golden. Plus this blog is also about managing mental health issues. The recent post about conquering fear panic attacks was an eyeopener! Read and enjoy.

Juansen

If you want to see poetry as therapy stop and have a chat with Juansen. This blog is lovely. The illustration. The words. Pretty much any day I feel low I know I can find hope here.

https://lonelyblueboy.wordpress.com

Right it’s not ten but this is a looooong post.

My questions for you all…

1. What is it about blogging that makes you feel good?

2. Are you ever nervous about exposing too much of how you feel inside to the world?

3. What is your trusted go to technique on a day you feel a bit low?

4. Of all your posts which would you like everyone to read and comment on?

5. How do you enjoy your Vegemite? As an Aussie this is clearly vital for me to know 😊.

Thank you again very kindly Cindy. I’m not sure of the protocol whether I could nominate you but please know I read and enjoy your blog very much.

❤ Nat

13 thoughts on “There are kudos for blogging? Who knew!?”

  1. I’m so excited that you participated!! I can’t wait to check out the blogs you nominated. I am getting ready to get on a plane to go to a chronic pain support group leader training so I’ll answer your questions quickly. Great questions by the way! 1)Blogging makes me feel good because I can help other people. 2)I am extremely nervous about sharing my thoughts with the world. Some of it is very personal but it I’m not willing to be vulnerable, I cannot help others. 3) My go to when the pain is too much would be music. I put on my headphones and play very upbeat energizing music to keep going. 4) The blog I most want ready might be Where Are Your Thoughts Taking You? https://wp.me/p9gz3u-kz 5)Vegemite, well, umm, not too appetizing to me. Sorry!😳 We had an Aussie that worked for us. That’s how we came to try it. How do you like peanut butter and jelly?

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    1. Wow good luck with your training that sounds fantastic.
      I had a quick scan of the post you linked and I will come back to it because I want to read it when I’m not tired. It is excellent. I will copy another link for you to read. A friend of mine from beyondblue wrote a post along the same lines of challenging your thoughts (she calls it the inner critic). You might like it too.
      Ah Peanut butter and jelly. At uni I shared a house with international students. The girls from the US found it hillarious when they realised to Aussies jelly means jello (as in wobbly sweet gelatine desert). I tried a peanut butter and jam sandwich once we got over the language barriers. It was… Weird.
      I’m curious what kind of music works for you on bad days? My go to is Jon Bellion.
      Thanks for answering my questions too ❤. Have a safe trip and I will reply on your post soon

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    1. Thanks 😊 I find I love most the opportunity to share blogs I have really enjoyed. Nothing beats someone introducing you to a blog that you find interesting.

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    1. Thank you very much. I read your most recent post. I hope your appointment on the 31st was helpful to you. I hope the therapist helped you make a saftey plan. You can use them to manage self harm too. I hope you are safe.

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      1. I’m sorry Faiza but my blog is the only social media I use. Thank you for coming to visit though. I will check out your blog once the kids are put to bed for the night. 🌸

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      1. I mostly write about mental health but I am looking to branch out in terms of writing about other stuff.

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  5. HEYYYYYYY!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!! I was teaching English in China all summer so I was behind China’s “Great Firewall” so I had no access to WordPress. I just saw this and am so happy for you, and am so glad that I was able to be there for you! I remember the first person to ever comment on my blog was BipolarBarbieque and I was like… OMG someone has heard my words…THIS IS AMAZING!

    Alright, as for your questions:

    1. What is it about blogging that makes you feel good?
    ~ Literally, writing saved my life. I love to write and it makes me so happy to put my voice out there. Even when nobody reads a post of mine, I still love knowing that it’s been into words!

    2. Are you ever nervous about exposing too much of how you feel inside to the world?
    ~I used to collapse from panic attacks, I was made fun daily growing up, and for a while, I was homeless in LA and was having sex for money because I was so terrified of having to return to Ohio. Im a total open book and will share my story with #NoShame ;p

    3. What is your trusted go to technique on a day you feel a bit low?
    ~I do what I cal an Anti-Craziness Shower: https://youshouldseemyscars.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/some-inspiration-otherwise-known-as-the-anti-craziness-shower/

    4. Of all your posts which would you like everyone to read and comment on?
    ~ Im about to write a really raunchy post right after this haha! So perhaps that one?

    5. How do you enjoy your Vegemite? As an Aussie this is clearly vital for me to know
    ~ At night actually. T2 makes a tea called Gone Surfing. Its a wonderful herbal tea. I normally brew a cup of that, and then slab on some vegemite onto a really good whole grain toast and watch a show. (Might i recommend Roswell?)

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