rebekah writes stuff.

Category: the writing section

  • Let’s have a Q & Hey!

    Let’s have a Q & Hey!

    Hey blogsters! Bloggeroonskiis – it’s April! I thought I would answer a few questions. I haven’t done something like this before, so let’s get into it!!

    Image by Storyset on Freepik

    Why did I start a blog?

    I started blogging for a bunch of reasons: I wanted to practice writing, I wanted people to read my writing and I wanted to be more confident (especially posting my writing!). I definitely struggled getting posts out when I first started and perfectionism really blocked my flow. I worried a lot about what people would think of my writing. Plus, physically setting up a blog seemed so daunting! I’m glad I just decided to give it a go. It took a few tries on different platforms, and now I’m pretty happy with my WordPress blog.

    Interestingly, the less I worried about what people might think and whether my writing was perfect or not, the better the words flowed. I’ve realised that the more I blog about stuff I enjoy, and because it brings me joy, the easier it is to press publish!

    What’s my favourite blog post so far?

    I think my favourite blog post is the thing with spicy food. It was genuinely a lot of fun to write and such a funny concept. I’m not great with spicy food – a mild curry is about my limit – and it made me think lol this could be a fun and relatable post to write about. Everyone has an opinion on spice, you know? They either love it or hate it!

    How’s your creative writing journey going?

    Yeeeeeah, it’s fair to say I haven’t even looked at my novel drafts in well over six months. It’s hard when you’re busy! I spent a while working on my novels and they say it’s good to take a break and come back with fresh eyes – and I will! Besides, blogging is fun and a good way to keep the writing muscle ripped.

    I would definitely like to talk more about my writing and any tips I’ve learnt along the way and hear about your guys’ writing journeys too!! Are you an aspiring novelist like me? Do you want to be traditionally published or self published? Or are you already published?? Let me know!

    What advice would I give to new bloggers?

    Just wing it! As a new blogger myself, I’m still getting my head around it! It can definitely seem quite daunting. I think it’s helpful to remember why you wanted to start a blog in the first place: i.e to write about whatever it is you are passionate about or that you enjoy or think is interesting! Pizza, movies, cooking, whatever! I write about pretty much anything I think is interesting because I enjoy it!

    Don’t get too bogged down about views and statistics. It’s easy to look at some blogs and accounts and compare. Remember, you’re just starting out! Sometimes I feel disheartened when I don’t get many views on a post or followers on instagram – but so long as my stuff is out there and I’m writing, I honestly don’t really care too much! It’s a win when I publish a post! And when I do get a like or a new subscriber or a follower, it always makes my day. I appreciate my little community!! Shout out to you who is reading this! 🙂 So yeah, as a relatively new blogger, just focus on actually writing and getting your stuff out there and the little wins along the way.

    Thinking face cartoon on Freepik

    You got this!! Hope you enjoyed this lil Q&Hey!

    rebekah writes stuff. is on insta! @rebekah_writes_stuff

  • Things in life you (probably) take for granted everyday

    Things in life you (probably) take for granted everyday

    Before I was even born, humans had created some of the most important, life changing inventions, from the car (1886), the lightbulb (1879), penicillin (1928), to the internet (1983), the polio vaccine (1955) and, dare I say it, plastic (1907). Yup, these are just some of the many clever ideas which have changed our world.

    But what about the inventions that are overlooked and less in your face? I can guarantee there’s at least one or two you take for granted everyday – I know I do!

    Roads

    We don’t have to dig out the spades when we head out to the supermarket (get it, dig out?). You don’t have to cut your way through bramble and bush. You don’t even have to think twice when you’re pulling out of your driveway and heading to work. All that back breaking work has literally been done for you. Sure, potholes suck and rain is becoming a bit more of an issue with climate change, BUT you must admit that roads are incredible. Next time you go for a drive or you get stuck in traffic, be grateful that someone in Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago decided to lay down a path – and that the trend caught on.

    A road in a modern city by evening_tao on freepik

    The indoor toilet

    Need I say more?? Did you know that Thomas Crapper wasn’t actually the first person to invent the flush toilet? As disappointing as it is, Sir John Harrington actually beat him to it in the 16th century. Despite this, most toilets weren’t inside. Roughly 100 years ago, most UK houses didn’t have an indoor toilet. Indoor plumbing is pretty recent and still not the status quo across the world. Think about it. You don’t have to brave the elements for a midnight pee. You don’t need to put on shoes or light a lamp and look for rats outside. Indoor toilets are the sh*t.

    An outside toilet (1978-1979), Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museum

    Toothpaste

    9 out of 10 dentists will agree that toothpaste is pretty awesome. I shudder to think about how bad everyone’s breath would stink and just how many of us would lose teeth and need surgery. A breath mint will only get you so far.

    Oral hygiene has an interesting history. Most cultures had their own toothpaste remedies, but it didn’t come out of a tube. The Ancient Egyptians, for example, mixed oxen hooves, pumice, myrrh, egg shells and just a splash of water. That did the trick. People of Ancient Greece, Rome, China, India – different variations of toothpaste existed long before modern toothpaste. Doesn’t say people’s teeth were in a good state though. Did you know Tudor Queen Elizabeth brushed her teeth with honey? She hardly had any teeth in the end. Mr Peabody and Colgate, I owe you one.

    Sunglasses

    Sunglasses didn’t actually do what they said on the tin for many years. Sure, they were fashionable and protected people’s eyes from Michael Bay-esque lens flares, but apart from that, they had no sun protection whatsoever. It wasn’t until the 1930s that protection from UV rays was integrated into the design of sunglasses. Edwin. H. Land invented polarised lenses in the late 1930s and Ray Ban’s Aviator sunglasses became renowned for their utility and style during World War II. Where would my sensitive blue eyes be on those hazy, cloudy days without my sunglasses?

    The Barcode

    Imagine carting your big shop up to the checkout. The checkout lady stares at the heaped trolley and gives a sigh as you start loading your stuff onto the checkout belt. She picks up a box of cereal and manually types in the number on the back. She does the same thing for the chicken breasts, the chocolate, the washing powder, the pasta sauce. This monotonous routine continues and, by the time she’s reached the bottom of the trolley, the chicken’s gone off.

    Yup, those little black lines are a godsend. The barcode revolutionised shopping and stock take forever. Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver invented the very first barcode in 1952. However, the barcode was ahead of its time and when technology finally caught up, the barcode was integrated into supermarket software. The first barcode scanned at a checkout was a packet of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit in Ohio, 1974. The rest is history!

    Aren’t you just bursting with gratitude? There’s definitely more I could write about!! What other inventions would make your list? Let me know below! 🙂

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  • Dragons now – what would it be like?

    Dragons now – what would it be like?

    There’s a reason dragons exist in your fantasy storybooks and myths of yore. They were enormous, there was tonnes of space and nobody had invented the bazooka yet. Yup, dragons just don’t fit in with the 21st century because everybody has a phone, spacious green pastures are few-and-far-between and the army have a lot more than bazookas now at their disposal.

    However, if we suspend our disbelief for just a few seconds … what would it be like if dragons did live alongside humans in the 21st century? In our bustling metropolises, rural villages and our fast food restaurants. Towering over our houses and hopping around night markets. Here are my predictions:

    1. Dragons would make incredibly popular (if not terrible) pets.

    Not all dragons are the same. Think of them like scaly dogs. Where some are tall and broad, others are small and handbag size. You know for a fact that there would be a market for lap-size dragons and ones you can fit in your purse. Instagram would go off. Would dragons take in the footsteps of dogs? Most likely – but forget fur and feathers. Dragons are not only hypoallergenic, but they don’t shed and they can fly. Instead of going for a daily morning walk, you’d be off for your daily swoop. Yup, pet dragons would protect livestock, jump for a frisbee and sit up and watch TV with you, all in exchange for a large, meaty treat.

    2. There would be fire. Lots and lots of fire.

    There is then, of course, the other side that comes with trying to co-exist with dragons. Sure, some will sit on your lap and put your fire on for you, but some will eat you. News headlines would be filled with constant reminders of how lethal dragons can be. Firestorm engulfs The Amazon as state of emergency continues. Ice dragon continues to freeze New York in what is being known as its longest winter blast in history. Dragons are eating the African elephant to extinction. You get the gist.

    Some dragons will destroy your newly built village a week after it is finished. Some will definitely attack aeroplanes and boats, and some will simply stand on you because they’re too big to remember where their feet are. How does one navigate driving down the motorway if they decide to go for a walk? Forget settling down. We’d constantly be running, relocating and rebuilding. Face it, there is no upside from a dragon having an off day. Just have your go-bag ready and invest in the fire department – if they haven’t already burnt it down.

    3. Dragon eggs would be sold on the black market for millions.

    Dragon eggs would be a hot commodity and one that people would pay a ridiculous amount of money for. Similar to the endangered/exotic animal trade, I imagine dragons and their eggs would be stolen and sold around the world. Why? For their power, rarity and popularity.

    4. Dragons would be weaponised.

    Forget dogfights. Wars in the skies would be fought with enormous, toothy beasts with humans at the reigns. Dragons would be utilised as protection for high ranking government officials and countries. They’d be trained to fight in the airforce and the army. They would receive medals and have their photos taken, like the police with their K-9 squad. Whether they’d replace tanks and fighter jets (or simply eat them all) remains to be seen.

    Some dragons, like Smaug, had a hide so tough it couldn’t be pierced by an ordinary weapon. It’s fair to say with how much DNA research is advancing, and the popularity of the Jurassic Park movies, making super dragons with impenetrable skin and multiple breaths, would only take pushing a few extra buttons.

    The idea of a dragon being used (and feared) for its strength definitely feels more fantastical, more medieval. Like the stories we are used to seeing. Nations attacking one another with their own dragons … this would absolutely happen.

    The world loves dragons

    Dragons have a firm place in history, mythology, culture and fiction. Humans are fascinated by their strength, power and personality, so much so, that dragons continue to be present in pop culture. Whether or not they’d co-exist with humans is another story. Happy year of the dragon everyone!

    What do you think of my predictions? Also, tell me who’s your favourite dragon? Are you year of the dragon?? I’d love to know in the comments below!!

    *I don’t own the images btw!

  • The thing with spicy food

    The thing with spicy food

    Spicy food doesn’t make much sense to me. Would I douse noodles in chilli oil or order a medium curry? No way. What is so enticing about red eyes and a runny nose that makes people say “I’ll have what they’re having”? Why do millions of people around the world put themselves through tongue tingling pain each time they go for a mouthful, only then to come back for more?

    People love spice

    When I say that spicy food is popular, this is an understatement. According to their 2021 survey, Kalsec reckons 95% of people worldwide enjoy spicy and hot foods, ranging from mild to holy sh*t that’s hot. More people prefer their food to pack a punch than not and it’s clear that people get a real buzz from it. Mexico, India, Thailand & South Korea are home to some of the world’s spiciest dishes, with India among the top consumers of spicy food in the world in 2020. Chilli is a hot commodity and there is a huge variety of hot sauces, chilli oils and chutneys being exported across the globe. Most people can handle spice in just about anything – crisps, sweets, pizza, even ice cream.

    Despite the numbers, I still don’t get it.

    As much as I’ve tried, I just can’t get on the spice bandwagon. You might’ve guessed that I have a mild spice tolerance. You’d be right. For me, being brave is ordering a mild curry. Or eating a couple of Sweet Thai Chilli Dorito crisps (which are epic btw). Unlike some who take to spice like a duck to water, spice and I have a complicated relationship, built on uncertainty, pain and curiosity. Frankly, I’ve been burned one too many times and the experience is enough to put me off for life. Spice enthusiasts never fail to baffle me.

    What flavour??

    If you were to ask me what spice tastes like, I’d say it tastes like numbness. Or bonjela. Or regret.

    And yes, I am aware that capsaicin (the chemical from chilli peppers) creates the hot, tingling sensation that you feel in your mouth. It causes you to sweat out of your eyeballs. Forget a relaxing evening at your favourite restaurant. You take one bite and it’s so hot that the flavour is no longer relevant. It’s an afterthought at this point. Instead, it’s more about pushing through the pain and the sweat. And for what?

    Spice has the ability to enhance or ruin any eating experience. Hence why people, like me, tread carefully around it.

    The Scoville Scale indicates how hot a chilli or a pepper is based on the amount of capsaicin.

    The Hubris of Spice

    There is a reputation attached to being able to withstand spice. People who can eat spicy food without coughing up a lung are regarded as superhuman. Besides, being able to boast that you can handle more than a mild butter chicken is a big deal. In this day and age it’s a signal of strength. Of coolness (if you pardon the pun). It’s admirable.

    However, there is a difference between confidence and competence. This is where it tends to separate the winners from the losers.

    Me, for example, I know I’m not good with too much spice. A tickle at the back of the throat is enough for me. I know my limits. Others are up for more of a challenge. Spice is unpredictable and it can floor even the most seasoned of spice enthusiasts. It has a habit of bringing people back down to earth, typically in a hail of flames, whilst reaching for milk. It’s only here that you are reminded of your actual spice tolerance.

    I am aware being bad with spice also gives you a reputation, but I’m not phased.

    Respect the Spice

    It must be liberating to order whatever is on the menu without questioning it, asking if it’s “really hot?” or checking what you have on tomorrow before ingestion. At the crux of it, spice comes down to a bunch of factors, like personal preference, culture, and your own tolerance. Some are just better at handling the heat than others.

    It continues to amaze me how people can eat something incredibly spicy and not bat an eyelid. I have a huge respect for spice lovers, mainly because I’m awe struck.

    Spice continues to leave me with questions, but I haven’t gone off it. I’ll continue to dabble in the odd spicy crisp and hot menu item but always with caution and plenty of milk on the side.

    Are you a spice lover? Or do you give spice a miss? Got any favourite spicy foods? Leave me a comment below 🙂

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  • Ins & Outs of 2024

    Ins & Outs of 2024

    Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re doing well, wherever you are reading this from. I’d also just like to say thank you for reading my blog posts last year, subscribing and supporting my new insta page! It really does mean the world, thank you 🙂

    Anyways, back to the blog! First post of the year yeeeooww!

    I am by no means a meteorologist. Or a forecaster, but I do have an inkling for the trends we might be seeing in the coming year. I present to you four predictions of what will be leaving us in 2024 and what will be coming along for the ride:

    Barbie-geddon is out

    2023. It was an ordinary day when, suddenly, from out of nowhere, an enormous tidal wave of pink engulfed the world. It might have even blocked out the sun as far as I’m concerned. It then spread to all major retailers before infiltrating social media. Yes, I’m talking about Barbie-geddon. We had been warned about the pink-washing, but nobody could have predicted just how much pink was in store – and just how much of it I would buy. Yes, even I wasn’t immune to its infectious appeal.

    Don’t get me wrong – I like the colour pink. The colour isn’t the issue here, it’s the sheer quantity of pink that filled my retinas. Magenta. Fuscia. Rose. Bubblegum. I bought more pink than I’ve ever bought in my life. Why? I couldn’t tell you. I was just a pink girl in a pink world. Honestly, a big hats off to The Barbie Movie’s marketing team.

    Did I have fun during the Barbie hype? Of course I did. Will I ever see pink the same way again? No. It’s safe to say that pink flood waters are now receding back to pre-Barbie-geddon levels.

    Skin Care is in

    Less picking and popping, more protecting and priming.

    The last few years have seen a skyrocketing focus on skincare. Dewy, glossy skin is in. The ‘clean girl aesthetic’ and minimalist makeup have grown increasingly popular, helped in part by Tik Tok and social media. Plus, there is such a plethora of skin care products now that I can’t see the focus shifting away in 2024 – or any time soon. I have only just gotten my head around niacinamide.

    2024 is the year of building better skincare habits, using sunscreen and moisturising literally everywhere (especially your neck!!).

    Less Time on Social Media is in

    I saw a quote the other day which said something along the lines of “do more things that get you off your phone”. In the age of consolidation, where everything is on the one device, this is definitely easier said than done. Haven’t we all sat on reels for a few minutes only to look up and notice it’s been about an hour? Yeah.

    Using social media mindfully is in for 2024, so says the New York Times, and I couldn’t agree more. This looks like unplugging from socials every now and then or reducing how much time you go on insta. It’s also remembering that comparison is the thief of joy and people don’t normally post their lowlights. From what I can tell, more people want to spend less time on their devices in general. That’s why I think mindful scrolling and taking time away from social media is a big in for 2024. It’s good to take a break.

    New Year’s Resolutions are Out

    I think NY’s Resolutions need a face lift and I’m not the only one. They’re going out of fashion because they put too much pressure on people. In saying that, New Year’s Resolutions aren’t all bad if they are structured well, but most of the time they are too hard, unrealistic or unsustainable. A NY’s resolution is less likely to fall apart after a week if it is doable and realistic. For example, deciding you’re going to start training for a marathon by running 42km on the first day is really hard.

    Enter Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is an inspiring and practical guide to building better habits which will help you to achieve your goals, whether they are short term or long term. No, this isn’t sponsored, I just thought it was a great read haha.

    In summary, just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean you can’t keep building on from last year. In fact, that’s exactly what you should do. If you have a couple of goals in mind, ensure that you make them doable and realistic.

    What are your ins and outs for 2024? I’d love to know!

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