July Q&A with The Brain is a Noodle
Where they ask questions and I answer
This is a step out of my comfort zone, which is something I’ve been exploring lately. Last month as part of my 20–20–30 challenge, I joined the publication The Brain is a Noodle and I’ve been enjoying reading and writing there.
One of their monthly prompts is to answer a few interview questions. I thought this one might be fun to complete. If you’re interested in where I found the questions or the publication, here is the original article:
[1] If you could go back to the beginning of your writing career, however far back that is, what is one tip you would give yourself?
I would tell myself to never give up. To never stop.
I’ve had quite a few starts and stops, sometimes because the well went dry. Sometimes because of personal things in my life. However, regardless of what was going on in my life, I wish I had kept going with writing. Maybe writing less. But kept working on it as small as it might have been.
[2] In classic group-based ice-breakers format: “Share your name and one random fact about yourself”, how do you choose the fact to share? Do you come up with one on the spot? Does it change depending on who you’re talking to? Do you have one “go-to” answer for all of these ice-breaker situations?
My name is Rachella and I love reading.
I usually come up with one on the spot and don’t have a set ice-breaker response. I’m an introvert so I try to keep it to an answer that will prompt someone to say “me too”. Then I can then ask them about what they enjoy about the fact I shared. When using the reading one, I get a lot of interesting recommendations.
[3] In what ways do you take care of your mental health?
This is something I’m being more intentional about practicing and cultivating a practice of. Right now, it looks like meditating, journaling, spending time with people who light me up, and reading. I’m also working through May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein and I’m loving the small shifts she suggests toward self-love and changing your life.
[4] How has your culture or context shaped your beliefs about what work ethic or productivity looks like?
I come from a family with a very strong work ethic. I grew up with people who showed up and gave 100% each day. They worked overtime and knew hospitality when needed. I strive to follow their example.
[5] What’s one food you like to make if you don’t want to think or plan or buy new ingredients at all?
Noodles! I love them, especially with butter and parmesan cheese. Not the healthiest food, but comfort food at its finest.
Fave or Nah?
- Favourite moisturizer? Don’t have one.
- Least favourite car? I have this thing about cars- the smaller the better. While I don’t have a specific least favorite car, anything bigger than a Subaru Forester is something I try not to drive.
- Favourite chore? Washing and folding the laundry!
- Least favourite tv show? Confession- I don’t watch a lot of TV. However, I’d have to say Married with Children is my least favorite. It was one of the shows when I was growing up and I can honestly say I never got the it factor on it.
- Favourite body part? Arms. Especially the ink on them :)
Articles to share
- A piece that you published in your first moments of being on Medium
- A piece that challenges assumptions
- A piece related to food… note to self: Write more about food
- A piece from a fellow writer you love There are a few Medium writers who I click on as soon as I see their face on my feed. The longest-standing one for me is Roz Warren. In this piece, she wrote about “Top Ten Reasons You Just Clicked on This Headline”. My answer… because it’s written by you!
- A piece you think deserves more love
Final Words
I want to thank Lucy Dan for the questions. This was fun and I look forward to seeing what next month’s questions will be!
