Co Armagh singer-songwriter Rue: My volleyball career took a back seat and my music one took over

My usual morning routine features my alarm going off and then I have a cup of tea - I really can't start the day without a cuppa. I get my little one ready for nursery, we brush our teeth and then it's out the door, ready for the day to begin.

Every morning is different, and some mornings I am hungrier than others, but typical breakfasts would be eggs and toast, Weetabix or, sometimes, a smoothie.

I mostly stick to the same things every day but do have slight variations. I'd have pasta salad or a wrap of some sort. Sometimes, it's just a sandwich.

This is usually chicken with rice and some sauce or other - I like spaghetti bolognese. Steak with rice and veg is one of my favourite dinners.

More recently, I have invested time for my health. Every day, I take a multi-vitamin and usually try to drink two litres of water. This is more difficult than it seems.

Yes - but diets and me do not work. I tend to overindulge when I am 'dieting', as my mind beats me most of the time into thinking I am hungry, so for that reason, I don't bother with them any more. Instead, I like to just be mindful each day of the amount of carbs I am eating.

I always think it is lovely to treat yourself at the weekend, so my husband and I try to get out to a restaurant at least once a month. If that doesn't happen, we usually get a lovely Indian meal to take away - the hotter the better.

With work and having a child, it is hard to do something every single day, but most mornings, after I drop my little one to school, I usually go for a walk around the local club, just to get the steps in. With regards to staying mentally fit, I have started listening to some podcasts and these definitely help set a positive mental attitude. This, along with listening to my favourite artists, always keeps the mind healthy. Other times, I'll escape the hustle and bustle of daily life with a really good book.

Have a 'get up and go' attitude. If everyone could aim for 10K steps a day, they would feel much better for it. And be a healthier and happier version of yourself.

I actually enjoyed sports day. The team races were my favourite, although I am a very competitive person generally. I loved PE in school - my favourite activity was volleyball and I was on the school team. I tried football for a while too, but my favourite subject was always music, so I guess my volleyball career took a back seat and my music one took over.

Can I say almost teetotal? I honestly don't have any desire to drink much, with my husband being a teetotaller. I enjoy the odd cocktail now and again when out with the girls or socialising with family. I really believe your company influences your desire to drink, sometimes.

Let's be honest, if there is a lift there, I'm getting in. Although stairs are the healthier option, I do have my little girl in her pram most of the time when I am out and about, so I guess that gives me a golden ticket to use the lift - right?

I take my little girl to the library, so it's always good to treat myself to a great book when I'm there. Recently, I have been intrigued to find out more about this universe that we are living in, so the books I am reading are definitely influenced by my current interests. The book I am reading right now is called The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson.

I absolutely love Netflix. I love getting into different shows - it's something to look forward to in the winter evenings. Some shows I watch are Selling Sunset, Ozark and Emily in Paris. I also love Sort Your Life Out.

I think the pandemic definitely taught everyone a lot, individually. It taught me lessons about what I prioritise in life. We honestly don't need that much - the material things don't matter; nothing else matters, really, but family and your health.

Listening to podcasts and daily affirmations. I have also started to learn the piano as it's been something I have been wanting to do for a long time and I have joined a yoga class which I absolutely love.

Podcasts and 15-minute meditations on YouTube.

To be a healthier and better version of myself and to be more positive and release new music.

I try to be in bed no later than 10.30pm most nights. With a three-year-old, I am well ready for it at that stage.

Slow, slow drivers... And pigeons in public spaces scare the life out of me.

Since having a child, yes, absolutely. Everything changes; your whole perspective and outlook every day is a blessing and you realise health is everything.

Not really, but if I can help my body in anyway, such as taking multi-vitamins etc, it has encouraged me to look after my health more. With regards to my attitude towards mortality - well, that's something I can't avoid, so why give it much thought?