210 Questions to Ask Yourself – Flow Magazine

Just over a year ago I reviewed issue 12 of Flow Magazine. I mentioned the special insight feature they did called ‘210 Questions to Ask Yourself (or each other)’ and have recently been thinking about it.

On my other blog, I attempted to do a blog post for each question, but only made it to no. 17. I put too much into providing long answers to questions which warranted short responses. To celebrate *almost* completing my MA in Magazine Journalism, I am going to answer all the questions. So this is different from my usual reviews, but it is most definitely magazine related, and might tempt you to go and find the latest copy of Flow Magazine.

Here we go…

Who do you get on with best?

My best friend and neighbour, Anfas. That’s only because I’m not saying my mum (she goes without saying).

What do you spend too much time on?

Playing games on my iPod. Specifically Farm Heroes Saga.

What jokes make you really laugh out loud?

Any jokes told by Peter Kay or Michael Mcintyre.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Yikes. I put a cone of shame on my cat.

Do you cry easily in front of others?

Nope, it’s hard to make me cry. Unless you’re pointing out anything remotely negative about me, then the flood gates will open due to immediately feeling like a failure.

What do you usually have for breakfast?

EGG AND SOLDIERS. There is no other option.

Who did you last kiss?

In general, probably my sister on her wedding day. Romantically, my ex boyfriend. Officially, my cat.

When do you most feel like your mother?

When we are both wearing black trousers, a stripy top and a grey hoodie/cardigan. Or when we are both groaning because our legs hurt.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Wonder why my alarm is so annoying, then check Twitter.

Do you enjoy reading aloud to others?

I’m going to say yes. I love performing my poems, because it gives me a sense of identity and a voice (two things at one point I didn’t think I had).

Which past friendship do you miss?

One which lasted for years of my life. I miss parts of it. The parts that were crying with laughter and creating things out of pure innocence and just running with it. I don’t miss the falling out or feeling like a horrible person.

What would you most like to buy?

A HOLIDAY. To Italy, or Krakow, or London.

What character trait would you like to have?

Natural confidence. Is that a trait?

What’s your favourite thing to watch on television?

BBC dramas, or anything to do with serial killers or murders. It’s just morbid curiosity don’t worry. And only when I’m not watching the Big Bang Theory.

When did you last go to a theme park?

My 16th birthday. To Alton Towers. The day after having two teeth out. Never again.

To what age would you like to live?

An age which allows me to read all the books I want to read. So…very old. Doctor Who old.

Which holiday do you think back on most nostalgically?

When I went with my brother, his girlfriend and my nephew to Mallorca.

How does heartbreak feel to you?

Like everything has changed and that nothing will ever be the same again.

Would you rather have another name?

No, I actually really like my name. So thank you Mum!

What has made you doubt yourself?

The feeling that no matter how much effort I put into the things I love, I am still doomed to be unreliable. My extreme self-awareness and strange mentality makes me doubt that I will ever be able to get a job and hold it down, no matter my qualifications. Also failing exams and getting low grades, that too.

Does it really matter to you what others say?

Yes and no. It depends what they’re saying. If I care what they think of me then yes, if I’m not really bothered then no.

What’s the best part of the day?

When I’m starving and have earned the food in front of me.

Can you cook well?

I can boil an egg to dippy perfection. I can boil pasta. I can bake cookies. I’m not much of a cook but I can feed myself, and that’s all that matters.

Which season do you resemble the most?

Autumn. I’m all for cosy comforts and the promise of spooky times ahead.

When was the last time you spent the whole day doing nothing?

Probably the day after a deadline. I always deserve a ‘nothing’ day after a deadline.

Were you a happy child?

Mostly yes. I had my moments though.

Do you buy flowers often?

Only if there’s a special occasion. I grow more flowers than I buy.

What’s your biggest dream?

To be able to live a happy life, feel comfortable financially and pay for holidays with my mum. Oh, and actually fall in love with someone who is also in love with me.

How many homes have you lived in?

I’m inclined to say two. I currently live in my family/childhood home, but for a short time I lived at my family friend’s house.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love the soaps. I love them.

What was the last book you read?

The Beautiful Dead by Belinda Bauer

Why do you have your current hairstyle?

Because I feel like me when I have a short pixie cut.

Are you addicted to your phone?

No.

Are you a saver or a spender?

A saver. But I occasionally splurge.

What’s your favourite store?

Anywhere that sells books.

What do you most frequently order to drink in a cafe?

A cup of tea, please.

Do you know when it’s time to leave?

Yes.

If you could start your own business, what would it be?

A magazine, or selling art or things I’ve created that other people would genuinely be interested in buying.

Do you always want to win?

No, but it’s a nice feeling when I do.

What are you sorry that you missed?

A lot of time spent with my mum when I was a teenager/young adult. I went into my own world and ignored everything around me. I even missed seeing my Grandad before he died.

How would you rate your face?

7/10 could do better but has been worse.

Were you good at school?

Yeah, I got through it without any major disasters.

How long do you stay in the shower on average?

I don’t have a shower. But the times I have had a shower I would estimate around 15 minutes.

Do you believe in extraterrestrial life?

Yes. 100%. There has to be some kind of life out there somewhere. And I’m talking even the tiniest micro-organism here not bug eyed aliens.

What time do you usually get up?

Between 8 and 8:15am

Do you always celebrate your birthday?

I don’t often have a party or do anything special but I do celebrate it yes.

How many times a day do you check Facebook?

Between 5-10 times.

What’s your favourite room in your house?

The living room.

When was the last time you petted a dog (or other animal)?

Just now. My cat is sat with me.

When are you at your best?

When I’m having fun because I’m with people I’m comfortable with.

With whom did you have your first kiss?

Going to be super vague and say with my first proper boyfriend. It wasn’t romantic.

What book made a great impression on you?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

What does music mean to you?

Music is meaning. Self-expression. Creativity. A good time. Songs are powerful.

Are you afraid of the dark?

Only if I’m outside.

What jewelry do you wear every day?

A green ring on my wedding finger.

Why did you choose the work you do now?

Journalism lets me explore other people’s stories, and experience so much more in life on a different level of thought. Also free theatre tickets and meetings in coffee shops. I make no money, but my life is a lot more enjoyable and I’ve made a whole new set of friends.

What movies would you rather see at home than in the cinema?

Action films. Just in case of guns.

How gentle are your judgements?

I’m not sure entirely what this one means, but I’m hoping gentle?

Do you sleep well?

Mostly, yes.

What was your latest discovery?

That even though I’ve had to look after my cat constantly for a week, I can still write a concept and business plan for a magazine despite only being left with one whole day to focus on it before the deadline. This is self-discovery at its best.

Do you believe in life after death?

Not life as we know it when we’re alive, no. I believe that there might be something, but nothing will be the same as being alive.

Who are you angry with?

People in positions of power who aren’t using that power for good.

Do you use public transport often?

Yes, I take the bus a lot.

What has given you the most grief?

Feeling trapped in a friendship that was mentally crushing.

Have you become what you wanted to be as a kid?

I wanted to be a vet. But I was also always writing, and even did pretend articles and made my own activity books, so I guess I’m on the right path.

What song makes you want to dance the night away?

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra OR The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show OR Remember Me by The Zutons OR Style by Taylor Swift

(and I haven’t even named any favourite bands/artists yet…the list could go on and on)

What trait do you appreciate in a loved one?

A good sense of humor and honesty.

What has been your biggest purchase?

My cat’s vet bill probably.

Do you give people a second chance?

Yes, I suppose.

Do you have many friends?

I have a decent amount.

What word gives you the jitters?

It’s not so much a word but an abbreviation: journo.

I’m a journalist, and will never refer to myself as a journo. I don’t know why it grates on me but I can’t stand it.

Have you ever been in love unintentionally?

oh yes.

When was the last time you felt nervous?

When I had to go into uni for a tutor meeting. It triggered some kind of attack just being there.

What makes your home feel like home to you?

When my cat is asleep somewhere in it.

Where do you get your news?

TV or Twitter.

What’s your favourite hobby?

Reading or doing cross-stitch when I have the time.

What do you find funny?

My cat wearing the cone of shame.

How often do you exercise?

I walk a lot, but that’s it.

Do you think you are memorable?

Not really. I’m just here.

What are two things you cannot do without?

My cat and my mum.

When was the last time you put aside your fear?

When I saw something I didn’t want to see but told myself it didn’t matter. There was a time I would have got upset and let it rule the rest of my day.

What used to make you happy when you were younger?

Eating crisps and reading Garfield in bed.

Which of your outfits makes you feel the most beautiful?

My cream top with sleeve strings, with my light blue trousers and my dark blue slipper shoes. OR my black dress with white collar.

What’s on your nightstand?

My phone (with the screen facing down), my old iPod touch, a bottle of water with orange concentrate.

How patient are you?

Not very. But I can be when needed.

Who is your fallen hero?

My late dad. Does that count? I wish he had been around longer.

How good are you at setting boundaries?

I’m fairly good at setting them, but they still get crossed.

Which one of your friends have you known the longest?

Anfas. Neighbours for life.

Do you like to meditate?

I do, but it’s very rare. As in I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve done it.

How do you pep yourself up after a bad day?

Tell myself that tomorrow is a new day.

What’s your favourite book?

Arrrrrrgh. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Or literally so many other books.

Who do you WhatsApp the most?

I don’t use this anymore but I used to message Anfas the most.

Do you say yes or no more often?

Increasingly I’m saying yes.

Do you like being alone?

Yes.

What would you do if you didn’t have to work?

Write poetry. Write fiction. Read books. Review books. Travel.

Can you drive well?

I can’t drive. I don’t have money to afford lessons.

Do you want people to like you?

I just want to be me, and if people like me then I’m not complaining. If they don’t like me then that’s not my problem because I don’t go out of my way to make people dislike me.

What should you have done differently in your love life?

Set tougher boundaries.

What do you like doing best on a night out?

Listening to poetry or just seeing good friends.

Have you ever broken the law?

I’ve done minor silly things but I haven’t broken the law to the extent that I’ve been arrested or anything, no.

Does your horoscope sign match your traits?

Yes, mostly. I’m Taurus.

What colour dominates your wardrobe?

White.

Do you make the most out of each day?

No. Sometimes I do, but not always.

Do you find it easy to admit your mistakes?

If I know it is absolutely my mistake then yes.

In what ways do you always want to stay a child?

By playing Nintendo games.

Could you go a week without the internet?

My contacts would ALL have to text me (which rarely happens) rather than use messenger, and I would be so out of the loop. My mum would be my source of news. I’ve often wanted to try going internet free for a week, and I think I could do it.

Who knows you best?

Anfas or my mum.

What’s the least annoying household chore?

Tidying my room, because it’s fun!

Have you ever been disappointed in a person?

Yes.

What does your ideal day look like?

Going somewhere on the train, like Matlock Bath, and spending the whole day there exploring.

Are you proud of yourself?

It took me a while, but yes, I’m proud of who and where I am today.

What useless talent do you possess?

I can make bad cups of tea. But nobody wants them.

Do you have loose ends in your life?

Probably.

Why do you drink/not drink alcohol?

I don’t drink alcohol and it’s because I just don’t want to. I spent a lot of time in pubs as a child around drunk people, and I think it put me off. I have no desire to be drunk, and I’d get anxious that I’m damaging my health, and I;d rather not pay money to do that.

What kind of stuff makes you happy?

Reading books, being in the garden, exploring new places, eating a meal out with family, doing cross-stitch, listening to poetry.

Have you looked at the clouds today?

I haven’t even left the house yet, so no.

What word do you use too often?

It’s two words: I say ‘kind of’ too much.

Do you like being in the spotlight?

No. It makes me anxious.

What should you take more time to do?

Create things. Write.

Do you think people are inherently good?

No. I think we are who we are, and being good is ideal but some people are inherently other things that aren’t always good.

Do you ever choose work over love?

In my last relationship, yes.

For what are you grateful to your parents?

My dad for being sweet and funny in a way that I will never forget, and my mum for literally being my life companion and for also having an incredible sense of humour.

Do you always say what you think?

No. Anxiety sometimes zips my mouth shut.

Are you a good loser?

As long as the winner doesn’t make me feel pathetic about losing, then yes.

What old grudges do you still carry?

When someone made me feel like I didn’t have the right to choose who to tell about my dad passing away, on the day he passed away.

Is the grass always greener on the other side?

Sometimes, but we have grass on this side to so let’s make it as green as we want it to be.

Do you fall in love easily?

No, I fall into feelings easily, but love needs a stronger reason.

What do you think about before you fall asleep?

What time I need to wake up the next day.

What’s your favourite day of the week?

Tuesday.

What’s your greatest victory?

Graduating with a first-class degree.

Which celebrity would you like to spend a day with?

Jon Ronson. I think it would be an interesting day.

Have you ever been in love with (an unattainable) celebrity?

I was in love with Tom Fletcher once upon a time.

What’s your dream job?

Author or book reviewer.

Do you find it easy to ask for help?

Depends what kind of help, but I think I’m ok at it.

What can you not throw away?

Childhood toys.

What website do you visit daily?

Twitter. Does that count as a website?

Are the best things in life free?

No, but you can get some pretty amazing things for free.

Have you ever stolen anything?

As a young and foolish – I don’t know any better – child, yes. I’d even go so far as to say I had mild kleptomania. But I don’t often talk about this.

What dish do you serve your guests often?

I don’t have guests and I can’t really cook.

In which store would you want to have one minute of free shopping?

Foyles.

Which countries do you want to visit?

France, Italy, Alaska, Africa, Poland, New Zeland, Denmark, Madagascar.

What superpower would you like to have?

Some kind of healing power.

When did you last want the ground to swallow you up?

When I had a memory blank in the middle of a class at uni, and it was up to me to speak but I couldn’t even remember the names of the people around me nevermind what I had to say.

What song always makes you feel happy?

Irrational Anthem by Plain White T’s.

How flexible are you?

Not even 1% flexible.

Do you have a crazy dining set that you’re mad about?

I don’t think I’m at that stage in life yet but one day I guarantee I will be.

What do you do when you have to stand in line?

Am I taking this literally? I’m guessing I stand in line, unless standing in line is somehow not what I should be doing.

Are you better-looking in the mirror or in a photo?

Mirrors do nothing for me, at least I can pose and look half-decent for a photo.

Do you ever decide to eat less or exercise more?

I occasionally eat less to the point of starvation, but I don’t often exercise.

Do you often have conversations in your head?

99.9% of my conversations take place in my head.

What would you like to be famous for?

Writing a book that helped people in some way.

What does being rejected feel like?

The feeling of knowing that there is someone or something better than you for whoever or whatever you’re being rejected from.

Who do you want to know better?

My new-ish friends.

What is your favourite mode of transport?

The bus. It’s a good time/place to read.

How many books do you read a year?

I do the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and they are as follows:

• 2016: 75 books
• 2015: 60 books
• 2014: 58 books

Do you ever Google yourself?

Very occasionally, but I share a name with a footballer and she covers most of the results. If I want me I have to add ‘writer’ to the end of it.

What historical event would you have liked to see with your own eyes?

Do dinosaurs roaming the Earth count as an historical event?

Could you live with your friends?

Yeah there are a few I could happily live with, although not all at once.

Do you talk to things?

Yes.

What’s your greatest weakness?

I hate conflict and therefore crumble at the thought of confrontation about anything even remotely negative.

Are you a dog or a cat person?

Cat.

When do you realize that you like somebody?

When I notice that I’m thinking about them everyday and that I’d really like to be closer to them.

Why do you eat?

Because I have to.

Do you dance in front of the mirror?

When I was a teenager yes, but not anymore.

What makes you different from other people?

Everyone is different from everyone in terms of actual uniqueness. But if my perception of myself is anything to go by, what makes me different from most other people are all the strange thoughts going on in my head, making me incapable of knowing what to say out loud.

Which children’s film would you recommend for young people?

The Lion King.

Do you stay until the very end of parties?

Not really.

What track have you played to death lately?

House of Memories by Panic! At The Disco

Do you practice before making a phone call?

I have to pause and go through exactly what I’m going to say in my head, so I guess yes.

When was the last time you cried in front of others?

Probably when I had an emotional moment at uni.

Who would you most like to spend a free day with?

At the moment, Chris, because I need to spend more time with him!

What was the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

“You can always have animals in your life.”

What does summer make you think of?

Ice lollies.

What does your favourite perfume smell like?

It smells like my sister, because my favourite perfume is the one my sister has.

What criticism hurt you the most?

I don’t know if it’s a criticism, but someone told me that when they think of me they feel sad. That won’t leave me.

What do you crave?

Spending good times with fun people, and experiencing new things.

Are you kind to yourself?

Sometimes, but I also battle with myself!

How old do you feel?

My legs feel 80, the rest of me feels twenty-something because that’s what I am and I like it.

What movie have you seen at least five times?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Tim Burton. I used to watch it everyday because I was obsessed with Johnny Depp.

Do you like taking tests?

If I’m confident that I can do them well, then yes.

Would you like to go back to the past?

Nooo.

How selfish are you?

I can be “selfish” when it comes to taking time for myself.

How do you like to relax?

Play games on my iPod, or read a book.

Do you sometimes feel left out?

Yes, when I have nothing to say I kind of just blend into the background.

What do you worry about often?

That after everything I won’t get a job I love and be able to earn money to make things easier for my mum.

How do you see the future?

Hopefully with a job I love!

What made you fall in love with your partner?

I don’t have a partner, but I like someone. And what made me like him was that we get on so much and his smile makes me smile.

What family member do you resemble the most?

My mum.

How do you prefer spending the evening?

Reading, relaxing.

How independent are you in your life?

Fairly. More independent than I used to be.

Do you often take the initiative?

If I can yes.

Which pet do you remember fondly?

Pippa, my first hamster. She was truly one of a kind.

What accent do you find charming?

Irish or Glaswegian.

Do you usually follow your heart or head?

Depends, I usually assess which is best and go with that.

Are you sensitive to criticism?

Yes, it’s about the only thing that makes me cry.

Are you afraid of someone you know?

Yes.

Do you often make time for yourself?

Very much so, whenever I can.

What made you giggle lately?

My cat wearing the cone, never ceases to make me laugh.

Do you believe everything you think?

I often have invasive thoughts, so I try my best not to believe them.

Have you been to a legendary party?

No, but my sister’s wedding was legendary.

How well do you know your neighbours?

Both my best friends are my neighbours. Anfas lives one side, and Nikki’s grandma is my neighbour on the other side.

Do you often feel happy?

Yes.

Which of your friends do you have the least in common with?

This is a tough one, I’m not sure!

What do you do differently than your parents?

My mum can do the gardening with her bare hands. I have to wear gloves and still refuse to touch anything.

What gives you energy?

Coffee.

What is your favorite sound?

My cat’s meow.

When was the last time you stayed up all night?

Not all night, but probably the last time I had a loooooong messenger conversation.

What do you like daydreaming about?

The life of someone else.

Do you look over your shoulder a lot?

When I’m outside yes.

What do most people not know about you?

My two biggest phobias are the song ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo’ and street sweepers.

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