Twenty Questions With – Tea and Cake for the Soul

Well this month has flown by, the clocks have been turned back, winter has set in, and it’s time for another round of Twenty Questions.

What I love about these Twenty Questions is introducing my readers to new bloggers, new ideas and opinions. This month has also helped me to get to know Tea and Cake for the Soul a little better. It’s a blog I have come across via a blogging group, I’d read a couple of their posts, which I enjoyed and related to. However it wasn’t a blog I consistently followed. I don’t know why really because I’ve recently looked back and caught up on some of the content and wish I had sooner!

Tea and Cake for the Soul is a blog that shares many of my passions, tea and cake obviously, crafting, baking, books, trips, and wellbeing.

I love your answer to question 6. I am imagining you tucked away, rocking out to some music and reading a good book while the destruction happens! 

Im so with you on question 10, let’s set up a crafting tip now. 

Ha, cucumber!

My Questions/Tea and Cake for the Soul’s answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

There were two reasons really.

During my first road trip in the USA, I posted a mini tour diary with a few photos on my Facebook profile for close friends and family. The feedback I got was amazing. I had put so much time into researching the trip so I thought that it would be good to share that info with others planning a similar holiday. A blog seemed to be the ideal place to do it.

As a long-term sufferer of mental illness, I decided to share my story, knowledge and tips on the blog, in the hope that I could help others and point them in the direction of where to find additional resources. It can be hard to take in information when you’re mentally ill, so I wrote a series covering different topics. This was much harder to write than my road trip story and took me a long time to put it together and publish it.

It’s been therapeutic for me to do even though it was very tough to write at the time.

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

I cover lots of different topics on my blog and they all have the underlying theme of helping people out whether it’s health, household tips, a new cake recipe, a good book to read or some ideas of how to show kindness to others. 

I just want to get it out to as many people as possible and have them enjoy what I write.

3. What is the most difficult thing for you about having a disability?

I suffer from depression and anxiety so I wouldn’t class it as a disability but the most difficult thing is that you can rationalise about it when you feel well and know all the best practises of how to deal with it, but when you go down you can’t do any of those things or reach out at all. Then you head into a downward spiral. 

4. What is the biggest positive about having a disability?

I guess that by having it myself I’ve been able to speak with honesty and knowledge to many people and give them some hope. And of course, I’ve been able write this blog which has helped people to deal with their own depression, raise awareness and provide some tips to “carers” 

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Cucumber, no cake, definitely cake!

6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

I’d only need 2 mins as they are always on hand.

My iPod and speaker as I couldn’t imagine a world without my music.

My kindle as I have all my books on it and I use it to keep in touch with my pals via email and Facebook.

My glasses as I can’t read without them anymore.

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

I have it black but if I make it for others the milk goes in first always.

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

Listening and singing along to music at a gig or at home, reading, long soak in a hot bath and I love to do Qi Gong.

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

At the moment it would be Robbie Williams purely because I’ve seen him recently but respected his privacy and didn’t speak to him. I’d love to have a chat about the pros and cons of living in LA (yes what cons eh?) and how he really feels about people sucking up to him and pandering to his every need. I do wonder if celebs really like it and fancy a bit of normality and interaction with real people every now and then.

10. What would be your dream job?

Retirement haha! 

Hmm, something to do with music but behind the scenes, I wouldn’t want to be in the public eye!

Or I’d like to work in a tip and be allowed to repurpose all the items that people throw away. It’s tragic how much usable stuff gets dumped. 

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

Buy my kids a house each so they could move out haha! (They are grown up.)

Build a little (early) retirement complex in the sun for me and my mates and have live music and afternoon tea every day.

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

At the moment Monument Valley in Arizona/Utah for the peace, tranquillity and natural beauty. 

13. What one thing would you change about yourself?

I’d love to have more confidence and less paranoia.

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

Maria in the Sound of Music so I could sing all those fabulous songs and wear clothes made of curtains.

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

No, although I am quite happy with my life now. It’s a weird concept, I’m not so worried about getting older or staying this age, but the thought of my loved ones ageing and me not is a horrible thought. It goes against the natural progression of things. At the same time, I don’t want to think about getting really old and not living forever. It’s a bit deep that one.

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

I’m not sure there’s anyone I’d like to change places with, I’m happy with my lot and not envious of anyone else. Although it might be quite interesting to be a man for a day just to see what it feels like having sex as a man. Sorry is that too much information?

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

To the 50s/60s as a young adult, so much great music and fashion.

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

That no-one should be homeless or without enough food and water. 

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Not in trouble, but being too nice and taking on more than I should is an annoying trait.

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

A popstar as a child, but I wanted to work in a bank as a school leaver. Neither happened!

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Thank you Tea and Cake for the Soul for being a great interviewee. I love the theme behind your blog, of kindness, helping others in various ways. Save me a room at your retirement complex!

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You can learn more from Tea and Cake for the Soul over on the blog, at Twitter, and Facebook.