48 Hour Silence

Hi there! 

Thank you for taking the time to check out my page! For those of you that know me (many may not) I am a talker. I do not shut up. Gob-almighty I was called as a child and not much has changed, if anything in my thirties I'm worse! So completing a 48 Hour Silence is going to be a BIG challenge for me! 

From 3pm on Friday the 23rd of March until 3pm on Sunday the 25th of March I will remain in complete silence! Mute! And to make it even harder (and so people can witness this once in a lifetime opportunity!) I will be having birthday drinks/celebrations in my local pub on the Saturday which everyone is invited to (those who can of course! my birthday is that week, details to follow) for the day/night... so not just sitting home alone silent! Business as usual! Although not sure how many people will be around on Sunday at 3pm to listen to me break the silence!

I will be allowed three gestures... a thumb up (yes), a thumb down (no) and a middle finger (I'm sure you can figure that one out!). As pointed out by my younger brother, I do need a forfeit... if for any reason I do slip up (accidents do happen, although I will certainly do my utmost best to not slip up! for example not saying "thank you" will be hard!) I will do a dare of choice (for those that make me speak or catch me slipping up) or will donate $20 each time to this fantastic cause. Challenge accepted? 

For me it's going to be hard not to talk, very hard, and it's only for a couple of days. For some it's even harder to speak, and worse yet some people will never have the opportunity to before it's too late. For most of us mental health is a topic that we don't talk about enough, when it affects so many around us. 

Recently I lost a very good friend of mine to suicide; I didn't see it coming, as I'm sure many others didn't either. I am doing this in memory of that very good friend (who would be the first to try to make me talk, would have no faith that I could complete such a challenge, but would have loved every silent minute of it!); to learn from what happened and what we as a society, as people, can do differently to prevent these unnecessary tragedies.  I am supporting a fantastic charity LIVIN, as their story reminded me so much of ours. That, and they have a fantastic message #itaintweaktospeak - a bit from their website (livin.org): 

"LIVIN is all about living your life at the top and destroying the stigma that is attached to mental illness. Connecting, supporting and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings, issues and challenges because “It Ain’t Weak to Speak”. Out with the old and in with the new, LIVIN is here to shake things up and make it okay to speak up and seek help in the 21st century. No judgement, just sheer compassion and understanding. Through education programs and awareness initiatives, LIVIN will launch a generational change. Let’s unite to help our brothers and sisters start LIVIN again. Join the movement." - livin.org (for more info on the great work they do visit the website!)

So while I can't speak, remember why I am going to be silent for 48 hours, and break the stigma; tell everybody #itaintweaktospeak. Raise awareness. As much as I am trying to fundraise for this fantastic charity this is just as much about raising awareness of this issue that affects so many lives. 

Any donations that you can make, big or small, is of course appreciated and going to a very good cause.

LIVIN also have a fantastic clothing range that promotes the awesome message which you can find here livin.org/shop - I will be wearing LIVIN clothes that weekend and will continue to wear them to spread the word. (International delivery available). Any donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to LIVIN.

Thanks so much for your support!

In loving memory of Chris Richards - shant on like a diamond! Miss you Terry G! x

#itaintweaktospeak

Location: Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee, Sydney at 3pm Saturday 23rd of March 2018 til late (and feel free to come see me any other time that weekend! I will likely be there the Sunday too! Info to follow for locals).