Another Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination!

RULES:

• Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the one who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award image in your post.

NOMINATION:

I have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award, once again, by Darell Phillip! To be nominated for an award is a pretty big deal in itself, and to be nominated for this award thrice in the last two years is an even bigger deal. I am very, very grateful for the nomination. Thank you so much, Darell. You have been a constant source of motivation and your work inspires us all. I’m really honoured to have been nominated by you.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. What are you thankful for right now and why? 
I think it’s safe to say that, in the midst of a global pandemic, I still have somewhere I am safe, sound and healthy, surrounded by people I love. I am really grateful for that and I’ll always be.

2. Who inspires you? 
It’s difficult to mention just a single person here because growing up, I have realized that a lot of my heroes were not exactly the people I should aspire to be like. I am most inspired by the people I choose to surround myself with. People with new and outrageous ideas really inspire me.

3. Where is your favourite vacation spot? 
It would either be somewhere near a beach or somewhere in the mountains. Either way, I prefer somewhere quiet and peaceful, but also the kind of a place that can inspire me.

4. When did you realize your love for blogging? 
I guess I always knew that I wanted a big platform that would get my voice across to several people. But what really made me love blogging more is that a certain person once reached out to me and told me that what I wrote helped him out of a very difficult place in life. Ever since I have had a lot more love for my platform because I never know who I’m going to reach out to, and in what way I can help them. It’s the feeling that comes after having helped somebody that makes it all the more special.

5. Why do Black Lives Matter? 
Black lives are no different than any other, and there is a very painful history of struggle that has been overlooked for a very long time now. I think that, if there is any shred of humanity left in anyone, they should try to amplify Black voices and not let this movement die out unless there’s a significant amount of difference made.

6. How many pets do you have? 
Zero, unfortunately. I would love to adopt a pet as soon as I have moved out.

7. What new skills have you acquired during this lockdown? 
Personally, I think that the lockdown is more about being safe and keeping ourselves alive. So, just a friendly reminder that it’s not important to be productive right now. But if you are, that’s great! In my case, it’s perfecting my skills in digital art and learning two new languages. I’m pretty proud of that!

8. Where does your inspiration to blog come from? 
I originally started this blog as sort of a journal. But it quickly dawned on me that the content here struck a chord with my readers. So my biggest inspiration for this blog is life as it is, in all of it’s messy, roller-coaster glory.

9. Who is most important to you in your life right now and why? 
I am the most important person in my life right now. I have picked myself up and walked out of things that I thought would break me. But I am very proud of how strong I’ve become over these last few years.

10. Why should bloggers follow your blog? 
I don’t know about ‘should’, but if relatable life stuff in the form of motivational content and occasional poetry is your thing, then my blog is right here for you to follow.

11. When will racism end? 
Racism has been ingrained in society for such a long time, it has seeped into the very core of the way some people choose to associate with each other. Internal racism is very much a thing and I think that to end racism as a whole, we need to start accepting the fact that there is no ‘Us v/s them’ when it comes to humanity. We’re all on the same side. This is something that needs to be talked about more, written about more: in speeches, in textbooks, in the mainstream media, in podcasts, in art— basically, everything. To truly end something as long-standing and destructive as racism, people need to unlearn years of conditioning and stereotypes. It begins at the roots and I just hope people can do better.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEES:

1. How do you deal with uncertainty?
2. How do you prioritize focusing on your passion and yourself?
3. What message do you want people to take away from your blog?
4. Who makes you the happiest and why?
5. What is one song/ piece of music that you’re most attached to emotionally and why?
6. What’s your go-to mantra when you need to give yourself a pep-talk?
7. What holds you back from sharing your work sometimes?
8. Are you doing what you’re passionate about right now? If not, what’s stopping you?
9. Do you practice enough self-care?
10. What is(are) your favourite quote(s) and why?
11. What values do you prize the most and why?

I further nominate: 

1. The Thinking Pen by Piyush Gulati
2. Sui Generis by Shanyu
3. Hearts and Minds by Thegirlwithapuzzledmind
4. Wonted Writer by Divya Baghel
5. Aditi Mehta
6. The Readers Desk by Rashmi
7. Flipping Memories by Sri Charita
8. Sanctuary of Hope by Krishnapriya
9. Wild Sacred Crazy
10. The Pensieve by Soumitra
11. Insights and Tidbits by Madhuri Sakhamuri

Thank you, once again, for this nomination! Congratulations to all the nominees; you’ve done a great job with your blogs and I would love to read your answers to my questions. I am looking forward to hearing from you guys! Keep spreading positivity and love through your platforms. Your words matter, I promise you.

Yours truly,
The Shubhster. Xx

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