50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

I have answered the '50 questions that free your mind as part of the 'Day Zero Project'.
I can't say it has made my mind any 'freer' but it has made me realise what I want and what I'm passionate about.
It's made me realise who is important and who isn't, and made me realise that actually - I am a good person.
All of these questions are answered in complete honesty.
Have a little go yourself!
{Here's the original post I wrote when I first did this}


1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?
Probably 18 still, whenever anyone asks me now I still say 18 - by accident. So maybe this is a trick question, because sometimes I actually don't know how old I am!

2. Which is worse - failing or never trying?
Failure is a horrible feeling, but at least you can learn from failure. I know.
But if you never try, you never get anything, you don't even get a life lesson.
So I think never trying is definitely worse.

3. If life is short why do we do so many things we don't like and like so many things we don't do?
Because money. Money makes the world go down. I don't like working but I have to pay for things I like somehow.

4. When it's all said and done, what have you said more than you've done?
Oh, so many things. I like to say I'm over it - but never got over it. 
I tell my mum I'll do something and never do quite often.
Being a busy person I often tell people I'll catch up with them soon, but never really get time.

5. What is the thing you'd most like to change about the world?
I'd love to abolish all illness like Cancer, Alzheimer's, Cerebral Palsy etc. Things that ruin the people we love. Things that cause unimaginable suffering to not only the person but those around them - because that's the hardest thing to see - and it's something that we have all had to deal with at some point.

6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
I love photography and film like I'm doing now anyway but real money has a big hold over that. So if real money wasn't an issue - it would definitely make me happy!

7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I'm working my arse off at uni at the moment and I will get my degree. After that however I don't know what I'll be doing! So I guess I'll be settling...

8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
Jesus - I'd be half way through my life already! I'd probably not have gone to uni and just got a job and gone travelling, that's my aim so I would have had to do it quicker. I also wouldn't have wasted time on a on-sided relationship that deep down I knew had no future. Cos that's held me back a whole lot.

9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I've been in education for my whole life - I think most people would say that means you have no control over it at all. However, my choice to go to uni was one that I fought for and things may have been very different if I didn't.

10. Are you more worried about doing things right or doing the right thing?
Doing the right thing because at least that shows I'm a good person I suppose. If you're just going round doing things right, that means someone else is telling you how to do them in the first place.

11. You're having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticising a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
I've actually had a similar situation to this in real life where someone I knew slagged off one of my closest friends. Friends are an important thing in your life and you should always stick by them. I'd definitely stick up for them, as I have done in the past. And I'd hope my friends would do the same for me. 

12. If you could offer a new born child one piece of advice, what would it be?
This is stupid cos you wouldn't give advice to a child. Anyway, besides the point..
I'd tell them to do what they love, follow their heart, listen to their gut and don't take no crap from no one. 

13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
I'd do absolutely anything to save a loved one.

14. Have you ever saw insanity where you later saw creativity?
All the time, that's what being an arts student is all about.

15. What's something you know you do differently from most people?
I open my mouth a lot more than most people. Being opinionated is one of my biggest problems
- although I do try to use it in my favour 90% of the time!

16. How comes the things that make you happy don't make everyone else happy?
Not everyone enjoys the same things... It would be weird if everyone did!

17. What's the one thing you have not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back?
I want to go travelling. Seriously, I want to go so badly. But I'm still at uni so I've got to finish that first.
And then after that money will be holding me back. As always.

18. Are you holding on to something you need to let go of?
At this moment in my life, I can honestly say no.
If you'd asked me this a couple of months ago it would have been a completely different answer.
I think I'm even surprising myself, but I'm happy with where I am!
I've let go of all my problems and I'm looking forward to my new future.

19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in where would you move to?
I'd move to Portugal. It's always been my favourite place, with some of my happiest memories from my childhood. 
And it's warm, I like warm.

20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes it go faster?
No, I don't do that actually! I don't have much patience with most things but with the lift I know its not gonna get there quicker no matter how many times I push it!

21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
It depends, how simple are we talking here? If its just a little lack of common sense I'd pick being joyful over constantly worried any time. 

22. Why are you, you?
Pretty sure this one's like a whole post in itself.
My parents have always taught me that you have to work hard for what you want in life, that's why I'm so driven. 
They've brought me up to understand that you shouldn't treat people like shit, manners are everything and there's no need to be nasty or a bully - but they have told me to stand up for what I believe in - that's probably why I'm so opinionated! They've always supported me in everything I've done, my dad didn't want me to do photography because he thought I wouldn't earn enough money in it, but he's still had my back every step of the way. 
I think basically, I am who I am because I was lucky enough to get given amazing parents who have always done their best for me. I had a good start to life and it's made me appreciate life.

23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
I honestly think I am a great friend. I am always there, always making the effort, always up for a laugh and always supportive. Like I said in a previous question, your friends are important and you should never take advantage of them.

24. Which is worse; when a good friend moves away or when you loose touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
I think its worse when you loose touch with a good friend that lives right near you. It just shows you they weren't much of a friend in the first place if they can't make the effort to see you. It an hour to go get lunch or dinner, 20 minutes for a phone call, 1 minute to send a text. If someone's important to you, you'd make that effort. When someone moves away it's upsetting, but you know you might see them again at some point.

25. What are you most grateful for?
My family. We have our arguments, but they are amazing. I'm glad I've got them all - they've been there for me through so much. I really appreciate it.

26. Would you rather loose all of your old memories or never be able to make new memories?
This is an extremely hard question for me. I love memories, I love all my old ones, I keep keep-sakes and photos and just absolutely love thinking of happy times.
But I also love thinking about the future and what the future holds for me. Also, I'm currently working on a project based on Dementia & Alzheimer's, so memories is something that is affecting me a lot at the moment.
Watching my Grandad go through memory loss at the moment is hard and heart breaking for all our family that he can't remember amazing times.
Because of that, I think that I'd rather never be able to make new memories.
You won't know you're not making them so why would it matter.

27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Absolutely. You can have a gut feeling about these things, you can sense when people are lying and sometimes I even think we may just have a sixth sense.

28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
I thought that losing my ex boyfriend was my greatest fear as I was so deeply in love with him. Turns out I am fine without him and that wasn't my greatest fear at all. My greatest fear now is loosing loved ones or loosing freedom. I am a strong independent woman!

29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were really upset? Does it matter now?
No I don't even remember it. But I guess when you're 15 you don't have all that much to be upset about in comparison to now... If I asked myself this question again in 5 years - the answer may be quite similar.

30. What is your favourite childhood memory? What makes it so special?
I have a lot of childhood memories that I love but one of my favourites from this time of year would have to be at Christmas on Christmas Eve, my dad used to get a big blanket, wrap me up in it like father's christmas' present sack and throw me over his shoulder shouting 'HO! HO! HO!'. It was probably very irresponsible of him, I could have got seriously hurt, but it was amazing and I loved it every time. 

31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
It's sad to say this but I don't actually know. A lot of things have happened recently which haven't meant I've been in the best of moods. I'd probably have to say my holiday with the girls, it was great to just be 100% enjoying myself for a while.

32. If not now, then when?
When I have time and energy and motivation. 

33. If you haven't achieved it yet, then what do you have to loose?
When you're working so hard for something and it's almost in reach you have to try your best and of course you can always make the wrong move. If you fuck something up and definitely loose something you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and then walked away feeling like you've just had the best conversation ever?
I've had that a few times. There's some people you just click with, some people who don't need words for you to feel their presence. 

35. Why do religions that support love start so many wars?
You tell me. I hate religion chat, every religion is hypocritical in one way or another and just wants to shove it all in your face.

36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
No, because if it was possible to know so many crimes wouldn't happen. You could look at someone and be like - he's an evil rapist. But you can't do that, you only realise something is evil once it has occurred. 

37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Yes, I'd quit but invest it in something so that I can't run out and then I'd build my own animal sanctuary and put my money into helping animals. 

38. Would you rather have less work to do or more work that you actually enjoy doing?
More work that I enjoy doing because it would be fun, not a chore. I wouldn't feel like I was wasting my time.

39. Do you feel like you've lived this day a hundred times before?
I've had a day off work, sick in bed. Yes I have lived this day a hundred times before but I can't seem to get over being ill recently!

40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only a soft glow of something you strongly believed in?
This project that I am working on about Alzheimer's now is pretty much like that. I've been doing my research but it's so difficult to truly understand it. I'm determined to raise awareness about this disease but I don't even know where to start with my film.

41. If you knew everyone was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
My grandparents, all of them. My parents and brother, my best friend Gemma. My close family. 

42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
No. Because I'd rather have those extra 10 years enjoying my life. You don't need fame or looks to have a great life. I'm doing fine without them both right now!

43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Everyone's alive, but not everyone's making the most of life. As long as you are happy and enjoying what you are doing, then you are truly living. 

44. When is it time to stop calculating risks and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
When you finally give up and don't care about calculating it. You know what you want and you're about to go bloody get it.

45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make them?
Because the lessons we learn are not always easy to deal with. They are heart break, pain, misery and failure all thrown into one. The disappointment we feel when we fail is not a emotion we like to feel often, which is why we don't like to fail often.

46. What would you do differently if you knew no one would judge you?
I'd probably get more into photography and put my heart on the line. I'd share my work more and collaborate with other artists. I'm so scared of my work never being good enough that I often hide it. I'm not saying I hate criticism, I don't, what I hate is the thought that I'm not good enough to do the thing I want to do in future as a professional. The only thing I actually enjoy.

47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
Now. Because you've just brought it to my attention. All I can hear is the clicking of the keyboard, the trees blowing in the wind outside and me breathing. It's whistling a little bit. It's probably something I should take in more often.

48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
I love my grandad and my passion for this project and raising awareness of his disease is something I am openly expressing and passionate about, because I only work on projects that I actually care about.

49. In 5 years from now will you remember what you did yesterday? Or the day before? Or the day before that?
No probably not. I'm in the stage of my life where all I'm doing is working my arse through each day best I can in the hope that the future brings me something more pleasurable. 

50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I have always been strong and independent. I lost that for a little while but now it's back. Everything I'm doing is for me and all the decisions that are being made involving me are on my terms. No one else has the right to control my life. And I hope that there are many others in this world who feel the same way as me. Freedom of speech and decisions should be one of our most valued things, especially when this right is taken away from so many.