JOIN A RAPE & ABUSE SURVIVOR AT A HUGE GYNAE APPOINTMENT | VLOG & A COLLABORATION WITH AMAZON UK INCLUDED!

 

I found a strength I've never known
I've been thrown out, I've been burned

When I'm finished, they won't even know your name

You brought the flames, and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself

Ke$ha – Praying

On May 2^nd, I had to attend an appointment with Gynaecology to discuss having my smear under a general anaesthetic. I decided to film the day for two reasons: the first, was to provide empathy and advice to other survivors and those in a similar situation. The second reason was to give insight to those who judge people for not having this procedure. My general message from this? Don’t judge a person’s journey, when you haven’t walked in their shoes. In case there are people out there who are interested in this experience and don’t want to or can’t watch videos, I thought I would write a quick blog post about it too and managed to get a collaboration with Amazon UK for it! At the end, however, I’ve still also inserted the entire vlog from YouTube…

LOOKING BACK OVER THE TWO YEARS WITH MY FLUFFY SOULMATE | ALSO INCLUDING MY FAVOURITE CAT BITS FROM ETSY | HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, MY LITTLE RUBY | IN COLLABORATION WITH ETSY UK

“Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.”

Richard Bach

Even though for my two mini-Lionhead bunnies (Luna and Gracie) I celebrate their ‘Gotcha Day’ as their Birthday, I know Ruby’s actual date of birth(!), and so her Birthday is marked on March 26^th. This year, for her second Birthday, I’ll be looking over the previous two years with her, realising she’s my fluffy soulmate, reminiscing over my favourite moments together, and reflecting on some of the things I’ve learnt from loving her. I’ll also pepper the post with some of my favourite cat items and products on Etsy UK right now…

AN AMAZON MENTAL HEALTH CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR YOU | IN COLLABORATION WITH AMAZON UK

 “When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”

Jean Shinoda Bolen

Now, something a bit different to the typical Christmas Gift Guides that are likely all over the blogs you read/follow. I’ve said before, I recognise that I’m NOT Disordered readers don’t come here for Gift Guides and I’m 100% confident that there are Bloggers who do Gift Guides a hell of a lot better than I do! I do, however, also recognise that a Gift Guide like this – items and products which I believe could help your mental health – is so relevant and appropriate for readers and that it could very well prove to actually be helpful for a lot of people! So, I’ve scoured Amazon and have gotten creative with some insight and ideas into the variety of things that people find helpful for their mental health; but I recommend you consider purchasing something from this post for yourself. And know that this isn’t, at all, being selfish; it's about self-care and recognising the importance of your own emotional wellbeing, especially at this time of Year…

DAY EIGHTEEN OF BLOGMAS UNBOXED 2023: HUGE CHRISTMAS HOMEWARE WISHLIST | IN COLLABORATION WITH PHOENIX COVE

PhoenixCove - Etsy UK

https://www.instagram.com/phoenixcove.co/

https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcove.co

https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenixcove.co

Welcome to Blogmas Unboxed!!

I literally can’t believe we’re on Day Eighteen already! Sometimes it feels like this month is going really fast and sometimes I’m really happy that it’s going slowly because I’m enjoying every minute of it! Anyway, for Blogmas Unboxed today, I’ve put together an enormous Wishlist for Christmas homeware items (using my colour scheme; pink, gold, and various shades of blue – but it’s mainly about the pink!) from a whole variety of stores and websites and with a huge range in budget. Hopefully you’ll find something inspirational or something that will work for your own home too…

MY 32ND BIRTHDAY WISHLIST

Anyone who’s read I’m NOT Disordered for a little while or who know me, will definitely not be surprised by this post! I talked a lot about my enjoyment and the importance of creating gift guides and wishlists through Blogmas 2022, and with my Birthday coming up (February 1^st), it probably seemed like a no-brainer for me to produce content like this! I hope you like this and that it inspires ideas for gifts for someone you know too!

BLOGMAS 2022 | DAY FOUR: MY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Welcome to Day Four of Blogmas 2022

Today, I’ve got some photos of a ton of my Christmas decorations; including new baubles that I’ve purchased at various Christmas Markets this year too! I’ve added the details to where they’re each from and – in some cases/where I could – I’ve added links for you to buy them too! If you do, though, please be sure to post photos of them on social media and tag #Blogmas2022 so that I can see and share them too!

BUDGET BLOGMAS | DAY ELEVEN: MY FESTIVE DECORATIONS | IN COLLABORATION WITH PRETTY PERFECT PRODUCTS | AD

Hello and welcome to I’m NOT Disordered’s Budget Blogmas!

So now that I’ve given inspiration and favourite items to make your home festive, I thought I’d share with you the items I’ve added to my Christmas decorations this year...

Wooden Fox: £6.00

Wooden Squirrel: £6.00

MY TOP TEN SELF-CARE PRODUCTS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE LOCKDOWN | ASOS, BOOTS, AMAZON, B&M & DISNEY

 So, there’s been a lot of tweets recently of people sharing their Amazon Wishlist’s for complete strangers to purchase items for them… I think it’s not just an incredibly kind and generous (no matter the price of the item) gesture, but it’s also illustrating the power and influence that material items can have on your mental wellbeing. I’ve been called ‘materialistic’ a number of times over the years and at first, I would argue against the label which seemed so offensive; and then I realized that the fact I appreciate material things and find that they benefit my mental health shouldn’t be an insult!

So, with that in mind; I’ve put together a little list of self-care products that I think could help you through the Coronavirus Lockdown…

1.       Anatomicals Cruisin’ For A Snozzin’ Sleep Kit £8.50

WHY THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH PRIORITIZING YOURSELF | 10 FEEL-GOOD BUYS | IN COLLABORATION WITH COMFY FOX CO. | AD

https://www.instagram.com/comfyfoxco/

https://www.facebook.com/comfyfoxco/

Originally, this was going to be a Valentines post but there’s now something VERY special planned with Cats Protection (if you’re a cat owner and would like to be involved in the collab, drop me an email or message on any of my social media!) so that’s V Day sorted! So, instead, I decided to use this post as the perfect opportunity to collaborate with another amazing organization; Comfy Fox Co.


I first came across this store a few weeks ago when the owner; Kerene, added me after a friend of my best-friend saw she was struggling with her mental health and told her about I’m NOT Disordered. Firstly, I was honoured that this friend felt my blog was good enough to advise someone check it out; and when I found that Kerene had a shop (Comfy Fox Co.) and saw some of her amazing products, I was even more grateful for the recommendation!

ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR BLOGGERS

So, I know I’m NOT Disordered is all about mental health and that my posts are usually very deep and meaningful with lots of talk about difficult subjects like self-harm and abuse; but the blog began for my own gain and enjoyment and it’d be sad to lose that when I really enjoy doing these sorts of posts too… Originally, I started blogging for many reasons but it was largely to do with the fact that I enjoyed writing and found it very therapeutic and beneficial to my mental health. Perhaps I’m NOT Disordered wouldn’t be so popular if I found it more of a chore and considered it to be more like work.

There has to be a balance though; with my blog now having over half a million readers, I can’t exactly half ass it and stop putting so much dedication and effort into the content. Well, I could; but I’d feel as though I were letting a lot of people – including myself – down by failing to provide  the helpful, validating, reassuring, safe space that  I feel – and have been told – I’ve created in continuing to dedicate a large part of my time and effort to I’m NOT Disordered. I guess it’s no surprise that from the outside, my blogging and social media posting is often mistakenly labelled work and I’m frequently being advised to take time ‘off.’ I just don’t think I could justify calling this work when I enjoy it as much as I do!

Having now blogged for over seven years (you can read I’m NOT Disordered’s Birthday post here) and having as many readers as I do, I feel that I’m maybe now qualified to give advice and tips to other Bloggers or potential Bloggers. After recently signing a contract with O2 for the iPad 7^th generation in the 10.2” screen size, I was inspired to write this post about products and items that I’d advise you own to aid in your Blogging adventures!!

STATIONERY

A Fancy Pen: Gold Twist Pen – Dangling ‘A’ : £8.00

MY BIRTHDAY WISHLIST | AMAZON & ASOS | AD

It’s that time of the year again; my Birthday! This year, on February 1^st, I’ll be twenty nine! I literally can’t believe it! Obviously there’ll be a proper Birthday post going up on the day but in the meantime… here’s a very obvious hint for those who were wondering what to get me 😉

Because after surgery on a snapped tendon, I deserve this...

Gordon’s Pink Gin Gift Set: £19.99

Because red hair has become my trademark and so it should always be bright…

Pantene Red Expressions Intensive Treatment: £4.25

BLOGMAS 2019 – POST TWENTY FOUR : REMINDER - THE ETSY COMPETITION | AD

Today’s post is a reminder for the Etsy collaboration competition!

Every other day for December, I’ve been reviewing mental health themed products from ten different Etsy stores and now you have the chance to win EVERYTHING – worth over £100!!!


Here’s a reminder of what you can win:

A Mindfulness journal from The Happi Empire


A pack of Schema Therapy cards from Bear In Mind Psychology


A pin badge reading ‘Brave and Strong’ from The Little Pin Co.


A pack of Nudge Cards from Nudge Cards 


A cup from Positive Instinct


A T-shirt from YANA UK


A set of badges from Colour Your Life Club


A set of three badges and two keyrings from A Band Of Hope


A bracelet, stickers, and a badge from Laleeland LDN


A set of four cards from Handmade Dorset



To enter this amazing bundle of products; all you need to do is:

1.       Follow my Twitter

2.      Like and share the original tweet

3.      Tag three friends in the comments of the tweet

The winner will be picked at random and announced on Christmas Day (December 25^th)!

BLOGMAS 2019 – POST TWENTY THREE : LAUNCHING THE ETSY COMPETITION | AD

I’m so thrilled to finally be launching the Etsy collaboration competition!

Every other day for December, I’ve been reviewing mental health themed products from ten different Etsy stores and now you have the chance to win EVERYTHING – worth over £100!!!

Here’s a reminder of what you can win:

A Mindfulness journal from The Happi Empire

A pack of Schema Therapy cards from Bear In Mind Psychology

A pin badge reading ‘Brave and Strong’ from The Little Pin Co.

A pack of Nudge Cards from Nudge Cards

A cup from Positive Instinct

A T-shirt from YANA UK

A set of badges from Colour Your Life Club

A set of three badges and two keyrings from A Band Of Hope

A bracelet, stickers, and a badge from Laleeland LDN

A set of four cards from Handmade Dorset

To enter this amazing bundle of products; all you need to do is:

1.       Follow my Twitter

2.      Like and share the original tweet

3.      Tag three friends in the comments of the tweet

The winner will be picked at random and announced on Christmas Day (December 25^th)!

BLOGMAS 2019 – POST TWENTY TWO : A ROUND-UP OF BLOGMAS 2019

Thanks to a poll on my Twitter back in November, my wonderful followers decided that I should publish a blog post and film a vlog every day for the entirety of December! 

So welcome to December 22nd…

I thought that I’d take this opportunity – with this being the last post before the Etsy competition launches tomorrow (December 23^rd) – to remind you of all the prizes that can be won and give a little brief account of each Blogmas post, what they were about, what my favourite parts were, and the links for everything!


POST ONE saw the announcement of this year’s Christmassy collaboration with Etsy! After the success of last year’s partnership with Cats Protection, it seemed like a good idea to work with another company on a bit of a different project. In this post, I talked a bit about why I believe a person shouldn’t be labelled as shallow for appreciating material things and that it’s important to recognize products that can boost your mental health. I also included links to all TEN Etsy stores taking part in the collaboration/competition.

POST TWO was a change of plan! I’d originally planned on talking about the York Christmas Market I had been meaning to visit that day but for various reasons I decided not to go and instead, I used the post to talk about how it’s important to pace yourself at Christmas. It can be a pretty full-on time of the year with lots of events/parties, meetings with friends and family, and numerous other fun, festive activities so it’s crucial for your mental health that you prioritize things to avoid burning yourself out and losing enjoyment.

BLOGMAS 2019 – POST ONE : CHRISTMASSY COLLABORATION WITH… ETSY UK | AD

It's Christmas time
No need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light
And we banish shade
In a world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

-          Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?

I’m beyond proud to announce that for Christmas this year, me and my little blog will be collaborating with Etsy!


For those who are unfamiliar with the brand, Etsy ‘is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods’ and is ‘home to a universe of special, extraordinary items, from unique handcrafted pieces to vintage treasures.’


After the success of last year’s Christmassy collaboration with Cats Protection, I knew that this year had to be something equally special and different yet still appropriate for a mental health blog, and that’s where the idea of featuring only mental health related products came from. It was extremely difficult to choose ten different brands on Etsy, but I finally narrowed it down and hope that my choice reflects the enormous range of products available on Etsy that can benefit your mental health.


I also really liked the idea of literally giving something back to you guys – especially with it being Christmas, so that’s why I decided to do the competition in the collaboration. I think it’s important to stress though, that the amount of presents you get for Christmas aren’t the most important part of the holiday…