MY JANUARY

With my Birthday on the horizon (February 1^st), I thought I’d do a bit of a round-up of January; with everything from favourite photos to best purchases…

A FUNNY STORY SEEING ME INTO THE MONTH:

On January 1^st, I tweeted ASOS to thank their customer service from New Years Eve but didn’t actually talk about what had happened and the reason why I’d had to contact them – and it was kind of funny, so I thought I’d share it here…

So, I had some items from a huge ASOS order to take to my local post office (which is about a twenty-minute walk away from my home) and since it was processed through ASOS’ website, I figured there was no chance that the post office would have held different hours for New Years Eve. So, after arriving there a hot and sweaty mess from the weight of the parcel, I found that whilst the place was closed, there were still two staff inside and so I desperately knocked on the glass door.

The female assistant I’d met on the many occasions I’ve used the post office, came to the door and asked why I was there and what I had wanted to do. She told me that their systems had been down since 1pm (it was about 4pm) and that they were shutting early anyway. Rather than get into any kind of ‘well-you-should-have-updated-the-website-and-not-accepted-the-return!’ kind of argument, I begged her to just take the parcel in and store it somewhere until they were back open, and I could come in with the QR code. She called her boss over and he said they wouldn’t accept responsibility and I told them that was fine, “but please just take the parcel! I can’t carry it anymore!”

They finally agreed and my Mum and I made our way to a shop whilst I started a chat with ASOS customer service to tell them what had happened; and after their staff was so lovely and understanding, my Mum told me that a bird had pooped on my head!

A PHOTO FROM JANUARY 1^ST:

FUNNIEST VIDEOS OF EMMY

#HarryPotter20thAnniversary

On New Years Day, the Harry Potter 20^th Anniversary ‘reunion’ show was aired and I watched it with my Mum. I found myself getting all emotional and in a bid to feel like I don’t have to explain why, here are two blog posts I’ve written around Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts series:

I'm NOT Disordered: TEN LIFE LESSONS LEARNT FROM HARRY POTTER (imnotdisordered.co.uk)

I'm NOT Disordered: MENTAL HEALTH IN FIVE ‘FANTASTIC BEASTS’ QUOTES (imnotdisordered.co.uk)

TREATING MYSELF…

In the beginning of January, I treat myself to a few purchases to use/wear to my one million readers party on January 6^th. You know, in the past, I would’ve absolutely loved to have been given those items as gifts, but now? Well, I much preferred the notion that I had bought these special items for myself and by myself!

For such a long period of my life, I did nothing good for myself – well, I actively did terrible things to myself – because I believed myself to be unworthy and undeserving of anything resembling kindness or generosity. And so, being in recovery with my mental health has meant that I’m able to see myself in a much more positive light that has promoted the notion of being happy with who I am and recognising that I do deserve these lovely things. And this healthier, more positive attitude, also led to the creation of a Birthday Wishlist blog post on January 4^th.

Bracelet

Girls Personalised Glitter Stretch Bead Bracelet By Lily Belle | notonthehighstreet.com

Bag

Perfect Pouch | One In A Million | Navy | Evening Party Clutch Bag : Amazon.co.uk: Shoes & Bags

NANA’S BIRTHDAY

January 4^th would have also been my Nana’s Birthday, and for the first time since she died; I’ve felt as though I’ve made her proud (though she more than likely would have been proud this entire time!).

Growing up, I can remember my Nana always being thrilled when I had written a new short story – mostly about horses and various other animals going on adventures! – and seeing her smile and laugh at them was the earliest example I can think of that taught me that your writing could have an impact on you readers emotions. And having the ability to recognise that power, has probably shaped both me as a blogger, and the content that I create.

When we lost my Nana, I was actually a psychiatric inpatient and had to be granted leave from the hospital to attend her funeral. Being in that position with my mental health meant that I was convinced things were going to go in one of two directions (and in my head, neither were great!): either I would succeed in a suicide attempt and join her, or I’d recover, and she wouldn’t be here to see it. Now, though, I can see that the best possible outcome was recovery; and that whilst it makes me so disappointed my Nana isn’t really ‘here’ to celebrate my milestones and achievements, I’m reassured to think that she’s still able to know how well my life is turning out.

NEWS STORIES I TWEETED ABOUT:

Ashling Murphy murdered in suspected stranger attack on Tullamore jog, detectives say | UTV | ITV News

Prince Andrew - latest news, breaking stories and comment - The Independent

Spain passes new law that recognises pets as legal family members | SCAS

André Leon Talley dead at 73: Former Vogue editor and fashion icon passes away at a hospital | Daily Mail Online

Record number of children and young people referred to mental health services as pandemic takes its toll (rcpsych.ac.uk)

Trust welcomes new Chief Executive - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (cntw.nhs.uk)

AS IF MY LITTLE BLOG TURNED NINE!

Having created I’m NOT Disordered as a means to communicate my day-to-day life in the psychiatric hospital over 100 miles away from my friends and family, I honestly didn’t have high expectations for it! In particular, that meant not anticipating reaching over one million readers as well as not being prepared for the fact that I’d still be blogging almost a decade later!

You can read my blog’s birthday post here!

FAVOURITE SELFIE

THE PARTY!

Since 2015, I’ve said that the happiest moment in my life was at the party I hosted that year to celebrate I’m NOT Disordered reaching 100,000 readers. Whilst I’ve always been so grateful to be able to have such an amazing memory in my life, the more time that’s gone by, the more conscious I’ve become of the fact that I haven’t managed to make any new, better memories. And I kindof argued with myself that this was just evidence of how special that party had been – that nothing could top it… But finally, that has changed – the one million readers party on January 6^th 2022 has surpassed any old memories and I am comforted to know that The Greatest Night of My Life wasn’t so long ago now!

You can see more photos from the party here!

Spotify Party Playlist

Spotify – Aimee Wilson

Top

Womens Black Short Sleeve T-Shirt | Tu clothing (sainsburys.co.uk)

Cardigan

Tommy Jeans Plus patchwork heart flag logo cardigan in cream | ASOS

Shoes

ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Scarlett bow detail mid heeled shoes in rust | ASOS

Leather-look jeans

Vero Moda Curve coated skinny jeans in black | ASOS

Bag

Valentino Bags Poplar ruched velvet mini bag in black | ASOS

FUNNIEST TWEET/GIF

FAVOURITE QUOTES

“Find something you care about, and care deeply”

London Has Fallen on Amazon Prime Video UK

“It’s a really good problem to have, because we’ve never had it before”

Head of Comms and Marketing for St Oswald’s Hospice

“Your feelings are valid whether or not someone else agrees that they are”

Anneli, Twitter

“When it comes to feeling good you may be far from 100%, but you have survived 100% of your bad days. You’re awesome”

All On The Board

“’Complex’ patients are different, not difficult. Change your approach and change your language. It’s not their fault they don’t fit into your pretty little box…”

Emily Morritt, Twitter

FACEBOOK QUIZZES

Sometimes I get pretty addicted to the very accurate results of Facebook quizzes…