TWENTY-EIGHT THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR MY 28TH BIRTHDAY

And the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open

Greatest Showman – Come Alive

Birthdays are one of those yearly events, like Christmas and New Years, where everyone responds to it differently. Half of people are excited and enjoy the celebrations where the other half dread them and struggle with overwhelming negative emotions. I’m with the first half! I especially love Birthdays because I like the thought of having an entire day dedicated to creating all of the positive emotions and memories that the person deserves all year round! This means I’m probably more excited for other people’s Birthdays than my own but I’m still majorly excited to be turning 28!

So I’ve compiled a list of things I’m excited for – not just things that’ll happen on my Birthday but things to look forward to in general… Some of them may seem ‘small’ or ‘insignificant’ but sometimes the littlest things have the biggest impact!

WEEK TEN | 52 LISTS OF HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

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Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the tenth list?

List the ways that you feel lucky:

WEEK NINE | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

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Apologies for the delay in this post!

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the ninth list?

List all the little things that happened today that brought you joy:

WEEK EIGHT | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

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Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the eighth list?

List the things you like to do that don't involve technology:

WEEK SEVEN | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

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(Apologies for the delay in publishing this post!)

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the seventh list?

List the greatest compliments and encouragement you have ever been given:

WEEK SIX | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

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(Apologies for the delay in publishing this post!)

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the sixth list?

List the things (from your past and present) that feel like blockades in the way of happiness:

I'M NOT DISORDERED JOINS TEAM OB | OLIVER BONAS | AD

“I haven’t got a chance in getting this collaboration, but I figured that I’d try anyway”

“It’s like I always tell you; shy bairns get nowt!”

I had this conversation with my Mum not long after emailing the PR team at Oliver Bonas. After a few tweets with their Twitter team I finally got the email address for the team I needed to contact, to approach them with a collaboration idea.

A mental health blog probably seems a long way from a fashion blog but there can be more links than you’d think. Especially where the author of the blog is interested in, and passionate about; fashion.

I took Textiles at GCSE level and in ever project, and for every assignment I tried to incorporate clothing pieces as opposed to purely focusing on prints and researching artists specialising in multi-media. Admittedly, I’ve never been a trend setter; I prefer to follow them but my passion for fashion has me customising trends to flatter my body shape. I like how confident clothes and accessories can make you; if I wear a good outfit it doesn’t matter how I’m feeling on the inside, I’m smiling on the outside and strutting my stuff down to the corner shop! I like how happy fashion makes me – you should see my face when I find an amazing new Valentino bag in TK Maxx!

THREE WAYS TO FEEL MORE PRODUCTIVE | AD

1.     Activity Books – this sounds childish, but I’ve recently gotten two books from Oliver Bonas that I’d probably define as ‘activity books.’ I first purchased ’52 Lists For Happiness’ from their Euston store late last year, and was so impressed with the content: titles to make one list per week for a year. So far the titles have ranged from ‘things you’re really good at’ to ‘the best choices you’ve made.’ The book is separated into four chapters: Reflect, Acknowledge, Invest, and Transform with 12 – 13 lists in each chapter. It’s also provided excellent, regular content for I’m NOT Disordered because I’ll be posting my lists on here every week too (to see them just select the ‘Ads’ page at the top of the I’m NOT Disordered home screen). I was then, very kindly, gifted a second book from the Oliver Bonas PR Team called ‘Pick Me Up’ but I’ll be writing all about this one in a post soon so stay tuned for that!

2.     Do an Online Course – Since September 2017 I’ve been using FutureLearn (www.futurelearn.com) to do some online courses. So far, I’m completed ‘Why We Post: Anthropology andSocial Media’ and ‘From Crime to Punishment.’ I’ve never been one for education, I’ve never really excelled in a classroom. But the thing is, I’ve wanted to. I have such passion for the subjects I’m interested in; social media, publicity, fashion, Law, and all things media and communications, that I have this thirst for knowledge. A thirst to learn about everything to do with these subjects. I’ll be talking more about my work with FutureLearn in a post coming soon!

3.     Write – There are some people who find writing comes naturally to them, especially when they’re in particular situations/moods. For as long as I remember, I’ve been one of those people; I’ve been a writer. I used to write short stories when I was little (something I’ve very recently begun to do again) and as I grew up I began keeping diaries; and it goes without saying that these days I write more than ever! Beginning blogging was all about writing down my journey through trauma therapy, it was for me. And then it was for the staff. And then for my family. And now it’s for everyone! I write for myself, my family, my friends, and my readers. Writing helps me and so I love to spend my time promoting it to everyone, recommending it to everyone I can reach. Writing, or blogging, gives me something to do on the days when all I’m really doing is taking my medication and devying my attention between the cat and the rabbit!

WEEK FIVE | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

You can buy this book here

(Apologies for the delay in publishing this post!)

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the fifth list?

List the best choices you have made in your life so far:

27 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR | MY TWENTY SEVENTH BIRTHDAY!!

1.     My Mum

      2.     R

3.     Dolly

4.     Pixie

WEEK FOUR | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

You can buy this book here

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the fourth list?

List the things that get you out of your head:

WEEK THREE | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

You can buy this book here

Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the third list?

List the things that you are really good at:

WEEK TWO | 52 LISTS FOR HAPPINESS | OLIVER BONAS | AD

A little while ago I was wandering around Oliver Bonas in their Euston store in London and came across this little beauty…

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Every week, for 2018 there will be post of what I’ve done in the book each week. And the second list?

The routines in my personal life & work: