RnR Interview: Akua Mode/ Helen

Smart, witty, quirky, funny and wise beyond her years. I first came across Akua Mode through R2. Akua Mode and her sister both attend the same church as R2, and its interesting to see the role that faith plays in their lives through their individual blogs and how that rings through in their everyday lives.

Perhaps its the fact that Akua Mode and Modestly E are two sisters trying to make it in this big blogging world, and that reflects our nature to a T! So join us on this little in-depth journey into getting to know Akua Mode just a little better 😉

Let’s begin with some light questions…

Q: What is the tone/sound of your alarm clock?
A: It’s a good morning, the sun’s coming up kind of sound. It’s a nice, good morning, kind of loud sound.

Q: Morning person or night owl?
A: Morning Person

Q: Fave quote
A: Right now it would have to be, “What consumes you, controls you”.

Q: Why is that your fave quote?
A: I was reading a book by Lisa Terkheurst’s, so basically I realised that if I was focusing on the wrong things in life then I will only see the negatives. How to feel love if you’re feeling left out.

Q: Sandals or Sneakers?
A: Neither; I’m a sandal with socks. 😄 You guys don’t like that? It’s beautiful!

Q: Your word for the year
A: Stop. Stop. Stop thinking. Stop stressing out. Stop listening to that person. Stop to chill. Stop to relax.

Q: Last picture you took
A: An outfit that I bought from H&M, I was really proud of it.

Q: What book would you recommend?
A: I’m not one to recommend books, because everyone has their own vibe, but a book I really enjoyed recently is, I Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union. It’s really good.

Q: Countryside or beach?
A: Countryside. I’ve always wanted to have horses.

Q: One fun fact about you
A: I’m scared of animals, even though I just said I wanted to have a horse(s) and I love to sing in the shower. 😄

Q: Electronic or paper calendar?
A: Paper calendar, it’s been two years, but I’ve never touched it. I use an electronic planner- it’s easier.

Q: Fave flower
A: I don’t really have favourites, but if I had to choose- I’d say sunflower

Q: Savoury or sweet?
A: Savoury

Q: Fave artists
A: No

Q: Fave season
A: Fall or Summer

Q: How would you describe your fashion style?
A: Classic streetwear, I really look up to Rhianna’s fashion style, her recent looks. With the oversized jackets, with fur.

 

Deep Conversations

Q: Current role model
A: I’ve never had a role model, I never looked up to someone. I’ve always looked forward to who or what I want to be. Like my future self.

Q: How do you balance the person you want to be with the person that you currently are?
A: I am open to whatever happens, I try to do my best, I try to put any pressure on me getting there. As long as at the end of my life- I did the best I could then I’ll be happy.

Q: What causes you anxiety?
A: Doing something I can’t do. Stressing over past mistakes. Not knowing what’s going to happen, I need to know what’s going to happen at all times.

Q: If I could grant you one wish, what would it be?
A: I feel like I’m supposed to say something physical, but I’ll say peace of mind.

Q: What does peace of mind look like?
A: Creating a still, calm, relaxed mind, one that isn’t rushing all over the place without overthinking and not being overwhelmed and at peace within me. That’s something I really value. Nowadays people don’t know how to do not do anything, they’re always trying to do something and if not, looking for the next thing to do.

Q: What 3 things bring you joy?
A: Food, Silence, Fashion- Basically, a walk-in closet with food.

Q: When was the last time you meditated?
A: I pray regularly, but meditation to actually sit down and be calm and try to meditate- has been a while.

Q: What would you like your legacy to be?
A: I’d like to be known for being someone who was kind to others, I always try to make people feel loved, no matter who they are, they are always welcomed to be around me.

Q: Describe yourself in one word.
A: Quirky.

Q: If you could meet anyone from the past, who would it be?
A: This is going to sound harsh, but I really don’t care! There’s no one from the past I’d like to meet.

Q: What do you see when you look in the mirror?
A: I see someone who has the potential to do a lot of things, but is holding themselves back because she’s scared.

Q: Do you see that as something you’ll challenge at some point?
A: Yes. I think I’m going to have to work on that eventually, in the program I’m in I will have to eventually pitch myself to others.

Q: I know that your faith is important to you and an important part of your life, when did it become more central to you?
A: High school. It was tough for me, I know it’s tough for a lot of people and I needed some sort of reassurance to know that life can be good. It’s where I started to get into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Q: Do you ever worry about how your faith is perceived by others?
A: Once in college some guy made a cross and threw it at me, sometimes I feel shaky to say that I’m a Christian, but once I do say it to others, people don’t react to it any more as much and if they do- they’re not worth my time.

Q: Can you recall a pivotal moment when your faith helped you deal with something in your life?
A: It would be the time during my high school graduation/college acceptance. Towards the end of high school, I didn’t connect that my grades would help me get into college. I wasn’t focusing in high school, I was going all over the place, trying to get myself accepted into college. Then one day I prayed and said, “God, I really need to get into college.” I told myself I just needed to work harder, but I was going to get in. Then after I prayed, I got a call from the school, telling me I got accepted. That was when I realised God is real.

Q: What’s your favourite Bible verse?
A: Jeremiah 29:14 | Psalm 189 just the first part before he gets all in his emotions.

Q: How did you become a blogger?
A: It started off in high school, I keep journals and my English teacher saw me writing as I wasn’t paying attention to her. She suggested that I put it into a book or find a way to make something out of it. As I got older I thought maybe starting a blog was the easiest way to start. My sister [Modestly E- Modestly E] started her blog first and then I started working on mine and that’s how it began.

Q: What were some of the biggest lessons you learnt as a blogger?
A: Honesty and vulnerability make(s) the best blogs. I start wanting to keep my personal feelings to myself. I wrote one blog post where I was more open and I receive a lot of comments from people who resonated with my post. It then made me realise that being open isn’t such a bad thing. One thing I’ve learnt from having a YouTube channel, I cover controversial topics, people will always have something to say and you can take it in a bad way, but you can always use the opportunity as a way to discuss things.

Q: You have a spiritual blog, The Stone Table, what made you start this blog?
A: The StoneTable started from my need to build a deeper relationship with God. I had so many questions in reading his Words and no one to discuss them with so I felt the need to build my own platform where people can open up to me about their doubts and questions. Shockingly I had a good response from my friends!

Q: Was there a pivotal moment that made you begin this search further?
A: I just wanted a deeper relationship with God. I always felt like I had a wall up in my relationship with Him and needed to find a way to tear that down.

Q: If someone is reading this who isn’t as assured in their faith, what advice would you give them?
A: Keep questioning things with an open mind and heart.

Q: What is something you accomplished this year that you are most proud of?
A: Over the summer I took a job and I was really proud of myself and how I used my voice.

Q: What was something that was difficult for you at the beginning of the year, but is no longer difficult?
A: Being my own advocate and speaking up for myself and saying if there are things I’m not interested in doing. I need to go for the things I want to accomplish in my life.

Q: What was the most challenging thing for you this year? Or the last few years?
A: Knowing what to think about or not think about and who to let into your life and who not to. We discussed this at church, you don’t have to think about everything that comes into your mind.

Q: What event in your life most shaped the way you are now?
A: High school, because in sec 1 and 2, I was the person that was left out and bullied. Once I got into the older grades, I didn’t want the younger kids to feel the same way that I felt. I began to embrace my quirkiness and began to embrace myself and keep my head and shoulders up.

Q: What 3 most important things you’ve learned this year?
A: Control my thoughts, learn to be independent (in every aspect of my life) and take a break. I’ve learnt to sit down and take a break.

Q: What’s your most important goal for next year?
A: To work more on my independence and for my school to get my feet in my field.

Q: How do you plan on achieving them?
A: Becoming more independent, I’m going to be forced to do so because things are going to be changing. For my program, I need to pitch myself to businesses. I have a plan in my head on how I’m going to get there.

Q: Of the books, you read this year, which was your favourite and why?
A: I Know Why The Caged Birds Sings and Gabrielle Union’s book- I Need More Wine, Union’s book was written in a way as I was sitting next to her and talking to her. I could also relate to her on how she views black culture.

Q: What do you love about yourself?
A: I like that I am able to do things that most people won’t do- I’m a risk taker. About me personally, I like my legs, because they’re long! If I could get taller- I would.

Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I go for a walk, watch tv or hang out with friends, depends on my mood and the situation. If I’m upset I’ll sleep.

 

The simplicity of sitting down with someone, and getting to know them on a personal level, allows others the opportunity to relate to one another. At the center of it all, we are all human and relatable, it just requires that we take the time to ask the simple questions, and truly talk and listen to the answers that are right in front of us.