Post Comment Love & Blogger Showcase 1 - 3 March

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week.  If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome.  Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

We’re back with the new style linky, and hopefully the changes we’ve made work - I’m sure they will, if not next week there’ll be some more refining.

Hasn’t the weather been lovely? I was off on Wednesday and spent the day in Islington at the Business Design Centre, and while the event - with the Garden Media Press - was good, it was nice to get outside and just spend some time sitting in the sun. Had it been a day later, I’d have got very wet. And if it was a year ago I’d have been knee deep in snow. Funny how much difference a year, and even a day can make.

I left the event feeling inspired with plenty of new ideas to share here, now I just need to work out how to make them all happen. I’m not quite sure how, but I’m going to be giving it a good old go. So it makes sense that my photo for this week is from the event, and you’ll be seeing more of these on here. They’re not all that they seem, they’re not concrete, or stone and they light up at dusk - so very clever, and incredibly versatile.

NOT ALL THAT IT SEEMS, AT DUSK IT LIGHTS UP

NOT ALL THAT IT SEEMS, AT DUSK IT LIGHTS UP

Blogger Showcase: Alex from Persisting Pain

1. Who are you?

My name is Alex and I'm a 19 year old trying to set up a charity and manage life with multiple chronic illnesses. I'm trying to use my content to inspire people to be kind to themselves and others. I would also like to start doing product reviews that may be helpful for others in a similar situation to me.

2. How did you discover blogs/blogging? and 3. Why did you start blogging?

They are something that I have always read and considered starting, but didn't know what I would write about. Then I was watching a video of Claire Wineland - she inspires me and reminds me that my illnesses are not everything that I am. I wanted to be able to inspire others as well but find that I am much better at writing than speaking, and so my blog began!

4. What do you find most challenging?

I find it difficult to admit when I am ill and when I need help, so being brutally honest in my blog about these things can be a struggle for me. It is also difficult for me to keep motivating people to be comfortable with themselves when it is something that I am struggling with myself, but hopefully watching my journey will give others the hope that they need to keep going.

5. What is your favourite topic to write about?

I enjoy writing about things that bring me inspiration and motivation, and things that make me happy on days when my illnesses make that seem impossible. This is because I hope that others will read my posts and it will help them feel the same. 

6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

A bit of both. I love writing and don't want to let me illnesses get in the way of that. A lot of my blog is for me to remind myself to be hopeful, but I also love the idea that my stories could go on and do the same for others. If I could go on to inspire others then that would be great.

7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I love the community that blogging creates, both from other bloggers and from readers. I have found lots of support and encouragement from others and love to be able to help others in the same way.

8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference and, if so, what did you think?

I haven't had the opportunity to attend a blogging conference yet, but this is something that I would love to do as I am sure that I could learn a lot and connect with a lot of people.

9. What are your 3 best posts?

These are my best performing posts so far, but I also agree with this as I feel that they honestly show my struggle with chronic illnesses and how I overcome this.

10. Describe yourself in three words.

Nerdy, determined, hopeful.

11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Can I be a tea and scones person? The question should really be do you put the jam or cream on your scones first (jam first, then clotted cream).

12. What's your idea of a perfect night out?

I would love going to the cinema with my best friend, boyfriend, and sisters followed by going to a desserts cafe to over eat yet again. 

13. Your perfect night in?

Probably something similar, relaxing watching Netflix and probably ordering in desserts (I know, I need to be more healthy). 

14. What would your best friend/OH/mum/kids say is your best quality?

They would say that I am persistent. There are times when I am not strong, and there are times when I lose hope, but I always get back up and try again. 

Thanks Alex - and definitely yes to having a scone. I’m a jam first, cream second kind of girl too - it’s the only way right? Before we link up, pop over and say hello to Alex on Twitter. If you’d like to be featured in a future Blogger’s Showcase, then please send the answers to our questions to either Morgan or I.