It's A Blogger's Life with Angela from Days in Bed

Welcome to the It's A Blogger's Life interview series.
As you may have seen, I posted a list of some of my favourite blogs at the start of the month, and what it is I love about them. Check it out here, you will definitely find some amazing new blogs to follow if you missed it first time around. I asked some of the amazing bloggers if they would be willing to take part in this series and introduce themselves to you and share a little of their blogging wisdom.
I was so happy at the responses I got to my request - it really does go to show the strength of the blogging community and how bloggers help each other out.
Thank you to everyone who responded, and thanks to each and every one of you on that list for consistently publishing beautiful and inspiring posts that keep me coming back for more.
Anyway, enough from me, over to the interview.

Today we have Angela from Days in Bed.

1. Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Angela, I was born in the UK, but lived in New Zealand for many years. I’ve also lived in Tonga, on the island of Tongatapu in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I’m a qualified Early Years teacher.
My previous marriage failed due to violence and abuse. I returned to England in 2010 with my daughter Sylvia. She was 18 months old. I remained a single mother for 5 years and got married exactly two years ago to my sweetheart John.
After the wedding (within a week), I collapsed and was diagnosed with adrenal failure. I’ve spent the last two years trying to get well, this is still a work in progress.
I love children, I feel passionate about helping others. I enjoy researching my family history and watching some reality television. I have a dog called Yoda and enjoy going on adventures – when I’m well enough.

2. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging originally because I wanted to share and record my family experiences and my ideas for teaching and raising kids. In April, I changed the name of my blog to Daysinbed.com as being unwell is a huge part of my life and I wanted to reflect this in my writing.
I also blog so that I can help provide for myself and my family, especially as my husband has given up work to look after me with my physical issues. I want to raise awareness for Adrenal Insufficiency and get well. I  need an “Adrenal pump”. The Adrenal Pump is a life saving treatment that would change my quality of life and get me out of the wheelchair. It is not currently available through the NHS but is available if I go private. This is one of my motivations to keep going.
 3. What is your blog about?
So my blog is called Daysinbed, a lifestyle blog with a twist. I have three main categories. I write about Parenting and Family, Health and Wellbeing and Home Improvements, DIY, Recipes etc. All of them are based around “Family Fun”.
Most blogs have one niche. I could not choose between the three. I feel passionate about them all.
I have some special feature posts on my blog,
I write The Gratitude Diaries, a weekly blog post about the things I’m grateful for. I also write The Adrenal Diaries and Yoda’s Antics, these are fortnightly posts about the life journey of my puppy Yoda and my journey towards better health.
The Adrenal Diaries is also open to other people with the illness to share their stories of Adrenal Insufficiency.
Some people are not aware yet but I have recently had a major change to my blog. Daysinbed gained a new contributor! – my sister Doctor Deborah Brunt.
Deborah is a Doctor who has specialised in paediatric health and nutrition. She is a mother of six and is currently on maternity leave, home schooling her children.
This is the perfect addition to Daysinbed. I write about parenting and family fun as a mother and teacher and I share my experiences of health. Deborah is writing about Health and wellbeing as a Doctor and plans to share her experiences as a mother too!
We are both really excited about the blog and the term Daysinbed really does suit us both, as I spend days in bed as a patient and my sister usually spends days as a Doctor helping people out of bed.

4. What are the long term goals for your blog?
My first goal was to complete the design of my blog and work out my direction. It took many months but everything has finally fallen into place and I have found my spot in the blogging world.
My Second goal is to introduce 2 Linkys to my blog. I have a weekly Linky planned to start this month (August) and hope to build this up over the following months. I also have a Monthly Linky planned to start in September. The details will be revealed in the coming weeks! So watch this space!
My Third goal is to build my Instagram following. I’m only just getting to understand Instagram It’s something I really enjoy posting pictures and so I want to work on this in the near future!
Long Term, I hope to continue building my following. I also plan to try and find some great brands to sponsor the blog and help me with my goal of financially providing for the family.
 5. Any tips for bloggers?
Yes, if your thinking of starting out as a blogger, do some research first. In particular how you wish to portray your child online. In today’s world every child has a digital footprint. Some bloggers refer to their child as Monkey or Baby. I call my daughter by her real name as I’m comfortable doing this but not every parent is!
So my first tip would be to start as you mean to go on. Decide what you will and won’t write about in reference to your child and this will save you going through old posts and changing names and details in the future.
My second tip would be to try and avoid comparing yourself to others. Every blog is unique and we all get different deals, products to promote and posts to write.
If I spent my time focusing on what others were doing it would make me feel pretty rubbish. Just be yourself and do your best. Rewards come through hard work. Work hard and good things will happen.

6. Describe yourself in 3 words
Honest, Loyal, Blonde ha ha! It does often take me a few moments to get things! Lol

7. What are your top 3 blogging essentials?
A good Computer
A good Smart Phone
A good set of felt tip pens- as I love to plan and brainstorm ideas visually on paper with my pens.

8. What would be your dream blogging assignment and why?
My dream blogging assignment would be to review an airline in return for flights to my second home New Zealand. I have not seen my friends and family in almost 6 years and I’d love to fly back to New Zealand to my loved ones, to see my parents, my sister and her six kids.
I really cannot afford a holiday like this as I’m saving the pump so Air New Zealand, if your reading this! Please don’t hesitate to DM me. (Wink Wink)

9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Where I live in Lancashire. I am living in my dream location. I have lived in New Zealand and Tonga and Yorkshire but I love the little village we live in and this is where I want to live for the rest of my life. It is perfect for us. It would be nice to own a home though in our village- that is the dream!

10. Where can we find you?
Days in Bed blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn and We Heart It. 

Show Angela some love - visit her blog, follow her on social media and of course, leave her some comments below :)

Thank you so much Angela for taking part!

Stay tuned for more It's A Blogger's Life - next up is Pen from The Single Swan tomorrow.

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!