THANK YOU FOR 2 MILLION!!! | HERE’S THE LARGEST REASON FOR I’M NOT DISORDERED’S POPULARITY & ALL MY SECRETS BEHIND IT!

I came to win, to fight

To conquer, to thrive

I came to win, to survive

To prosper, to rise

To fly

Nicki Minaj ft. Rihanna – Fly

If ever there was a time for a stereotypical beginning, it’s here(!) – because I literally and honestly cannot believe that I’m writing this! My little mental health blog has over two million readers?! Like, what?!! Where did that come from? It’s the strangest thing; that I’ve very obviously known it was coming – I mean, you know I like to celebrate my reader milestones; so, it’s obvious I keep an eye on my blog’s statistics… But it still feels like it just caught me by surprise and stole the ground out from under me! It’s like when you’re about to get an injection and you know it’s coming but you still get a shock… Except, much less painful! So, to celebrate this enormous milestone, I’ve created this blog post – and a reel over on my Instagram (@aimes_wilson) – revealing all my stories and tips around the largest reason for I’m NOT Disordered’s popularity: publicity…

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR BLOG’S AUDIENCE | TIP 4 OF 4

“Be worth knowing, not just well-known.”

Melissa Bolton

*This is the final part of a four part series

You can read Part One: https://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2024/04/how-to-increase-your-blogs-audience-tip.html

Part Two: https://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2024/04/how-to-increase-your-blogs-audience-tip.html

Part Three:  https://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2024/04/how-to-increase-your-blogs-audience-tip.html *

Originally on thinking of this blog post, I was so sure that I would have written something like this before that I went right through my content archive! I found a ton of posts that will be really useful in referring back to in this post; but nothing even remotely similar to everything I’m hoping that this one will be. Upon making this discovery, I started to wonder why I hadn’t written something like this before. I didn’t have to think on it for too long though, before the self-doubt and fear of judgment surrounded my head and, before I knew it, I was questioning what right I had to write a post like this. I mean, who do I think I am telling others how to do something like this?! But I’ll be honest; I just keep coming back to the fact that I’m NOT Disordered has over 1.3 million readers now and shouldn’t that count for something? So, I’m swallowing the low self-esteem, pushing away the nerves, and desperately hoping people will deem this piece to be genuinely helpful and a useful resource… Here goes nothing…

"I LOVED MY EXPERIENCE WITH EASTENDERS" | Q&A WITH EASTENDERS ADVISOR & MIND MEDIA CHAMPION; ANTONIO FERREIRA

Q1: How old were you when you first began to struggle with your mental health? 

15 years of age. 

 

Q2: Which ‘symptoms’ did you experience first? 

Paranoia, impulsivity, low mood, auditory hallucinations.  

 

Q3: What was your first thought when you began struggling? Were you scared? 

At first, I was ignorant to my own symptoms then I began to feel more and more worried – not necessarily scared. 

 

Q4: At what point did you get help and support for your mental illness? 

Initially, during high school, after being referred by my GP, however, help and support became a lot more prominent/vigorous after I reached crisis point. 

 

Q5: What would you say has been the lowest point in your journey? 

Having most of my teenage years taken away from me. 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING A PRESS RELEASE

“The scariest moment is always just before you start!”

Stephen King

I’m always a bit unsure about writing posts like this in case some people perceive it as though I think I’m an expert! When really, the two press releases I’ve ever written were both printed and so it is off the back of that achievement, that I would like to use my experience to provide advice and information for anyone considering writing a press release or who are just curious as to what it entails…

The confidence build-up to writing my first press release:

In 2017, I got my first voluntary role in the industry I’d ultimately like to have a career focused on (media, publicity, marketing etc) when the support group for the unwaged; Listening Ear And Positive Support (LEAPS), appealed for an ‘Advertising Assistant’ on do-it.org. Not having any real formal experience wasn’t a huge reluctance to apply for the position, because at that point, I’m NOT Disordered was doing really well in popularity and that supported me being offered some incredible opportunities and collaborations with some really well-known organisations, (which varied from Northumbria Police to Oliver Bonas!). So, I felt fairly confident and capable of taking on my first role in that industry.

I think that my one difficulty in starting with LEAPS was just the unknown. I mean, I had an impression in my head as to what the role might entail and what I believed to be my new responsibilities, but would the members and the Committee of LEAPS have the same expectations? Everyone in the group had known one another for at least eight years at that point (LEAPS was founded in 2009), so would they take well to a whole new person giving advice on what they should be doing to build on the reputation and publicity of the group?

PART TWO OF THREE | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABUSE

Having thoroughly enjoyed writing the ‘everything-you-need-to-know’ style posts in the past, when I checked through previous posts about abuse, I noticed they all seem to be in pieces… Bits of information, parts of my experience, a few tips; all just separated into so many different posts. Of course, they are that way because up to the date they were published, they were the things I knew. The things that had happened. And I’m not suggesting that I’m at a point where I now know absolutely everything about the subject, but I do feel that I’m at a pretty good stage in my mental health recovery to feel I am now able to collate all that I have learnt, and all that I know. Unfortunately, abuse is a subject where I’d argue you will never fully understand unless it’s something you’ve experienced, so posts like this – media content by survivors – can be the best resource for those who want to learn more…

PART ONE: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2021/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abuse.html

 

Reporting It: Introduction To Deciding To Speak Up

I think the two most fundamental points to reporting abuse are who you tell and when you tell them. I don’t like to have ‘regrets’ in life, but I do question my decision to have not reported the abuse immediately after the first instance of it. I say ‘decision’ and there might be some people out there who feel that reporting the abuse isn’t even an option – that they have so many reasons not to tell someone that it just became less of a choice and more of a ‘must.’ I can understand that… I mean, if I had drawn up two columns, the disadvantages or risks of speaking up would’ve made for a longer list than the one for bonuses or positives. Yet, I was still very aware of making a conscious decision between the two columns.

Now, I’ve debated about whether to write about all the reasons for me to have not spoken up… On the one hand, it might reassure others who have experienced these to know that they are not alone and to give them courage to defy anyone who attempts to devalue their rationales. On the other hand, what if I was to write something that a person hasn’t considered to be a reason but who believes it would apply to them too? It’d be as though I’d given someone reason not to report abuse and that is obviously absolutely the opposite of the message I want to get across in this piece!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MEDIA & MENTAL HEALTH | IN COLLABORATION WITH TIME TO CHANGE STORYCAMP 2020

The latest theme for Time To Change StoryCamp 2020 is mental health and the media and I thought it might be a good opportunity to talk about my own experiences with the topic, the positives and negatives I’ve discovered, and my advice on dealing with those negatives of the media…

My first memory of the media

I guess that my first real recollection of the media and the impact it could have on the world was when my cartoons were paused to break the news of the death of Princess Diana in 1997 – when I was just six years old! I guess this meant that the first thing I learnt was that horrific stories could put a stop to fun and laughter. They could over-rule them, take priority and become the focus for everyone. I also saw how media can influence your feelings in projecting emotions appropriate to the content. Finally, with the circumstances of the Princess’s death being around photographers chasing her car (I realise this is debateable!) I saw the impact the media can have on a more practical level and that once you’re in the ‘spotlight’ you can almost completely lose any sense of privacy.



The lack of content on some topics

My next thoughts on the media have come through the abuse I experienced when I was 15. In 2006, when the abuse started, I felt that there weren’t a whole lot of stories in the media about abuse and rape. The lack of this content meant that the only reason I suspected what was happening to me was wrong was because it hurt so much! The absence of these stories also meant that I felt so alone in my experiences and thought I was literally the only person in the world who had ever been raped or abused. Feeling lonely with something like that can be so debilitating because you’re thinking that you can’t talk to someone as they won’t be able to empathise, understand, or identify in any way.

There was also a huge lack for content on mental health, suicide, and self-harm back then which meant that I was absolutely terrified when I started experiencing hallucinations and thoughts to self-harm and attempt suicide. I think that it stemmed from the fact that without any information to the contrary, I thought if I told anyone what I was experiencing and feeling I’d be locked away in a psychiatric hospital and medicated! I also didn’t know who I would even talk to in terms of professionals. Like, I didn’t realise you could speak to your GP or even that you could have therapy on the NHS.

DAY SEVEN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... MENTAL HEALTH STAFF, ANGELA SLATER

Name: Angela Slater

Age: 43

Location: Durham

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

I like to support efforts to raise awareness on mental health and different parts of life that can impact on mental wellbeing. Body image is something that has a wide ranging impact in modern society and on people’s mental health so it is an important topic to discuss.

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

I think I was quite young (maybe 7 or 8) but I don’t think I was excessively bothered with this until about 12 or 13 years old.

What made you take notice?

I think it was a combination of my age, body changes, social pressure, and wanting to ‘fit in’ that made me take notice.

DAY SIX MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... AMPUTEE, ANONYMOUS

Name: Anonymous

Age:

Location:

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

Because Aimee asked me

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

12

What made you take notice?

My body was changing, maturing and developing

Would you say that your thoughts on your body image began as positive or negative?

Positive

DAY FIVE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVIST, MARTIN BAKER

Name: Martin Baker 

Age: 58

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne 

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

Because you asked me! Also, it's a subject I've never been asked about before. 

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

I guess when I was in junior school, maybe eight or nine. 

What made you take notice?

I was skinny and "geeky" as a kid. I was also pretty rubbish at school sports, which at that age was mainly football and P. E. (In secondary school it included rugby, gym, and athletics and cross country running in the summer - I was rubbish at all those too!) I guess I wanted to be "sporty" and athletic, to fit in with my friends. There's a photo of me when I was maybe eight or nine, in the garden outside our house. I'm wearing the Liverpool football (soccer) kit, and football boots I can still remember having to clean and polish. I look really awkward, looking back at it now. 

Would you say that your thoughts on your body image began as positive or negative?

Pretty much negative.

DAY FOUR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... ANXIETY SUFFERER, BECKY WELCH

Name: Becky Welch

Age: 29

Location: Blyth

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

To help my lovely friend Aimee out

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

Possibly between 9 and 10

What made you take notice?

I would probably say getting changed in PE. Well I would say that made me self-conscious but I can’t really pin point what made me initially take notice in the first place.

DAY THREE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... EATING DISORDER SURVIVOR, GEORGIE

Name: Georgie
Age: 26
Location: Newcastle

Why did you agree to take part in this
Q&A?
Special request by my favourite blogger and of course because it’s important to talk
mental health!

At what age do you think you first began
to take notice of your body image?
Probably about 11/12

What made you take notice?
Being a competitive gymnast it was always encouraged to be
the ‘perfect’ body type to be successful.

Would you say that your thoughts on your
body image began as positive or negative?
Negative, I remember thinking I didn’t ‘fit’

DAY TWO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... MUM OF THREE, ELLIE MCWADE

Name: Ellen                  

Age: 29

Location: North East 

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

I’m interested in the results and happy to share my experience

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

Probably as early as 6 or 7!

What made you take notice?

Other children in school comparing themselves and each other

Would you say that your thoughts on your body image began as positive or negative?

Definitely negative

DAY ONE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK | BODY IMAGE Q&A WITH... ME!

Name: Aimee   

Age: 28

Location: Northumberland, UK

Why did you agree to take part in this Q&A?

I figured that if I was going to ask others to take part then I should probably complete one myself.

At what age do you think you first began to take notice of your body image?

15

What made you take notice?

I began being bullied for being so ‘thin.’ I was called a ‘bag of bones’ and told that I’d never find a boyfriend.

Would you say that your thoughts on your body image began as positive or negative?

Negative

THE SECRET'S OUT | MY BOOK | WHEN ALL IS SAID & TYPED IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!!!

Available to pre-order NOW for £1.99

Released 01.02.2019

I think that ever since I’m NOT Disordered began to show popularity and success, I’ve kind of felt like writing a book was inevitable. And there has been so many occasions when professionals, friends, family, and readers have told me I could write a book about my mental health journey.

I think I waited so long to do this because I felt like my journey was unworthy of an entire book. 

Something I’ve experienced a lot with my mental health is having a lack of memory of the times when I’ve been poorly. This is both good and bad. It’s good because a lot of terrible things happened during those times and the bad part is that my lack of memory makes for a very thin book!

Luckily, I have my blog to tackle this dilemma! 

If I hadn’t blogged half of the things that I did, from my time in Hospital, then I wouldn’t have known all the things that’d actually happened there! I remember the life support machines, Intensive Care, and Mental Health Act assessments but I don’t remember all of the dramatic therapy groups, my struggling on leave home, and the constant battles over medication.

My gratitude for I’m NOT Disordered is for more than it supplying content for a book though!

Something I’ve never said before… this blog has given me my life back.

The abuse and my poorly mental health took away so many years when I could’ve done so much more with my life than sit in Hospital beds taking medication and talking about all of the bad thoughts and feelings I was having! But I’m no longer bitter about this.

And that’s because of I’m NOT Disordered.

My blog has given me a reason to be thankful for going through all of those bad times; because without them, I wouldn’t have I’m NOT Disordered! I wouldn’t have found my passion as a Blogger and I wouldn’t have all the opportunities that I do.

So it is with great gratitude and honour that I bring to you…

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Aimee Wilson's mental health blog; I'm NOT Disordered has had huge success across the world; with numerous media appearances, and collaborations.
When All Is Said & Typed is an archive of the entire collection of posts from I'm NOT Disordered (dated from January 2013 - January 2019) arranged into chapters and in chronological order. It can be used as a self-help guide with numerous posts featuring advice on managing your mental health or as a source of inspiration to read through the author's journey from psychiatric hospitalization to recovery.

Available to pre-order NOW for £1.99

Released 01.02.2019

FINDING A PURPOSE IN BLOGGING

Something I rarely talk about – and I’m sure it’s hard to imagine that there’s anything I’ve held back from this blog – is that one of the key feelings I experienced while I was suicidal was inadequacy. I struggled a lot with the belief that I had no purpose in life because I wasn’t good enough to have any sort of impact on the world. I wasn’t important enough. I spent months of Psychology sessions in Hospital working on my conviction that I was destined to commit suicide at a young age. I think that this belief worried professionals because it was almost a comfort blanket for me and a big reason not to even try and get better. I saw it as rationale for all the overdoses, and thought it justified the number of tablets I’d swallowed.

When I first began I’m NOT Disordered in January 2013, it was about feeling on the cusp of recovery and wanting to document every step of it. I thought it’d be nothing more than an outlet; a place to discuss the dramas on the hospital ward and a sounding off board for all the new trials and tribulations I would face as I began to get better. I think that viewing blogging as a purpose in life has come with the building of popularity. I’ve always described those first few years of I’m NOT Disordered as a snowball; it’s like I don’t remember a point when its popularity began to grow. It’s just that one day I was celebrating 100 readers and then I was throwing a party to mark reaching 100,000! With popularity came feedback and by that, I mean an abundance of praise, compliments and positivity. 

SO YOU WANT TO BE A MENTAL HEALTH BLOGGER?

Are you ready to…

feel like a failure?

There are times where I’ve felt like a failure to my readers. When I’ve had hard days – particularly during my relapse - I felt that I’d let everyone down by being poorly again. I thought I’d been the poster child for mental health recovery and now, here I was, illustrating that even the strongest of recovery’s doesn’t last. No matter how long you go without self-harming or hearing voices, you can still be just as vulnerable as you were when those things were happening.  But feeling like that, made me realize that others might experience that too and might find – just as I would – the knowledge that they aren’t alone, reassuring. 

TOP FIVE TIPS TO TALKING TO THE MEDIA | MY FEATURE ON C4'S DISPATCHES | AD

I write this off the back of my appearance on the Channel 4 documentary series Dispatches having just interviewed on their special episode going undercover with the largest social networking platform; Facebook!

The amount of praise and just all-round positive comments I’ve been getting has been crazy and I’ve had so many people ask how I managed to stay so calm as I appeared in my interview. It was questions like these, that have inspired this post where I’ll be talking all about the best things to do when you’re having a media appearance – no matter what the medium.

WEGO HEALTH AWARDS

Thank you to everyone who’s voted so far!

To nominate me/I’m NOT Disordered for the category ‘Best In Show: Blog’ please visit:

https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/12376

SIX PINTEREST PICS THAT SUM UP MY LIFE

Take a peek inside my Pinterest boards and my motivations behind some of my favourite pins with links to my favourite boards…

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/aimeswilson/

LONDON https://www.pinterest.co.uk/aimeswilson/london/

I remember my first visit to London when I was eighteen and my Mum took me down there for my Birthday. We had one of those theatre weekends booked where you get train fayre, a hotel room, and a night at a show of your choice in one packaged price. We chose The Lion King because it’s one of my favourite Disney movies and makes me cry every single time I watch it – no matter how old I get! Since then I’ve visited London on a number of occasions and for a number of different reasons; we visited again to see Legally Blonde on my 21^st Birthday, attended a party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Blind Veterans 100^th Birthday, and I’ve attended numerous conferences, meetings, and events there. At one point, I was in London so often that I seriously considered moving down there. And then one of the terrorist attacks happened. And I was round the corner. It was when the man was found near Westminster with a bag full of knives. I remember leaving the event in the taxi and people were running, screaming towards us whilst Police riot vans raced in the opposite direction. After a little while, I couldn’t let it stop me from visiting the city that I’d grown to love so much.

BLOWING YOUR TRUMPET IN THE BLOGGING WORLD

Join me for a chat about how essential it is to blow your own trumpet when trying to move up the ladder in the blogging world.

I think that it’s something I’ve learnt through my blogging career because to get opportunities in this industry, you have to tell others about you/your blog’s achievements in order to secure collaborations and – let’s face it – gifts! Some bloggers talk about how their numbers (in so far as their amount of readers) don’t matter to them, and it’s made to sound like those who say they do are… blogging for the wrong reason, perhaps? As though you’re only blogging for popularity and not because you enjoy it or benefit from it. Of course, this isn’t true. The popularity of my blog is really important to me but those of you who know me or have followed I’m NOT Disordered for a while will know how much I enjoy blogging, all of the opportunities that come with it, and what a hugely positive impact it has on my life/mental health.