So I was nominated by @deputyo8, @peachie_ and @kungfury! I hope you can learn something new about me from my answers - I'm not sure it'll be very interesting and you might not reach the end, but here goes!
1. Name
Phoebe
2. Sign:
I’m Leo (Libra rising, Aquarius descendant)
3. Favourite TV show:
Sons of Anarchy! There are so many I love.. Rick & Morty, Impractical jokers, Mad men, I have just started the new Witcher series on Netflix! 😍
4. Favourite drink:
Lilt! I don't drink it much so its a nice treat every now and then :D
But also, can we talk about the UNICORN HOT CHOCOLATE I have in the pic above?! I had it at a cute place called Cafe Lola in Las Vegas yesterday - It is actually pink, not brown. Mind blown! My tastebuds were too as it was an extreme sugar overload, hahaha!
5. Favourite alcoholic drink:
A raspberry mojito or strawberry daiquiri always goes down well! I also love a vodka sprite with lots of cucumber!
6. Favourite season:
Summer all the way! Probably why I love California so much ☀️☀️☀️
I'd rather be too hot than frozen!
7. Favourite band:
Architects get me emotional!
But I love SO many! BMTH, Pvris, Alexisonfire, Paramore, Saosin, Lights, any bands that do wrestling themes too! I also have a (non) guilty pleasure for Katy Perry 🤭
8. Favourite store:
Forbidden planet or loading bar boardgame cafe - I'm a HUGE nerd at heart 🧡
9. Favourite kind of book:
Oh gosh, so many! I love fantasy, Sci fi or crime, mainly. Books are my way of escaping the real world.
10. What is a cause you are really passionate about?
Mental Health Awareness and LGBT rights - both need so much more attention and are things I relate to on a massive scale. I was so passionate about both that I started focus groups and became the lead representative at my old job. I now work freelance as my own boss but still get involved and support others in any and every way possible! I try to educate people on basic etiquette and issues around becoming a bystander. Online platforms are also really good to show compassion and teach others what might be good ways of supporting our peers too!
11. What did you study or learn?
A lot of creative subjects! Fine art, photography, film and media studies, textiles... I also learnt HR law and had been training to become a legal secretary at my most recent office job. It had been causing me a lot of stress over the last few years that quitting was actually the best thing I ever did and I now have so much more freedom, can work less hours, and can be more creative working as my own boss.
12. What is that one song that is stuck in your head?
I saw Frozen 2 a few weeks ago so the "Show yourself" song from that is stuck in my head right now! My niece is with me on my travels at the moment so that might have something to do with it... :p
13. Where would you like to live?
Calllllliforniaaaaaaaaaa!
I've lived in London all my life and my family are Irish - both countries can get really cold and wet, especially in winter! Summer isn't bad and we can have some really nice periods, but I would absolutely love to live somewhere predominantly warm and sunny. I have so many friends all over California too and particularly love LA and San Diego most.
14. Who influenced you most?
My mother! She taught me everything I know about being a moral, loving and compassionate human. She is the most selfless person I know and somehow brought my sisters and I up effortlessly as a single parent!! And I'm a twin! I owe her my life 🧡
15. Who is your favourite celebrity couple?
I'm not too consumed by celebs, or at least try not to be!
16. What is your most used emoji?
🧡🤭😇🎉😏 All five!
17. What helps you relax?
Painting! I get really high anxiety sometimes so use meditation or a candle lit bath with healing crystals when it gets bad.
18. What topic do you think shouldn't be taboo?
Mental health and Sex work! I'm not sure why people are so afraid to talk about either, maybe embarrassment and fear of what others may think, but I think these have both become a little more main stream lately which is great. I hope that continues!!!
19. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
Ohhh I have a few already!
I think being able to turn a bad situation into a positive one is always something I've been really proud of and what a lot of people know me for. I'm a true peace keeper! That could be from someone having a negative mindset about something I might be able to educate them about, or where I've successfully diffused a heated situation calmly - it's not as hard as it seems! Maybe I should blog about that and the safe techniques you can use?
I would say the fact I quit a mentally draining job and completely changed my career direction after 15 years, back in May is one of the things I'm most proud of right now. It was the scariest thing I ever did and a huge risk, but one of the most successful decisions I've ever made. I'm now happier, mentally stronger (on the whole!), I have more time for the things I'm passionate about and can look out for my friends now I'm better in myself. I'm honestly amazed at how different things are compared to this time last year and really proud of myself for it! You've probably noticed I've been able to spend more time on SG than ever before too, so a win for everyone ;p
20. What do you want to achieve in your life?
True constant happiness! I've made a lot of steps over this past year following a mentally abusive relationship and the therapy I've had along the way has taught me some really useful techniques on positivity. Without jinxing it, (hopefully!), I'm the happiest I've been in a long long time. I would love for it to continue so I can encourage others to be more positive and for it to have a knock on effect for everyone else's happiness too!
I always think of at least 3 positive things that have happened each day and write them down in a diary. I look back on these as time progresses and there has already been such improvement this past 6 months, but the slightest thing can knock my confidence, or change my mood so I just need to keep focused and think about how far I've come/keep moving forward! 🧡
I'd like to nominate @gnomi @reznoritis @zen @runegalexia @mundi @raphaelite @ashena and @ninaq if they haven't already been nominated! I'm adding @edmea to this too!!
