Busy Busy!

Greetings! Long time no speak... This month has been very busy, but currently going really well. Last week, the secondary school I used to go to had a non-uniform day, and all the proceeds are going to Mental Health Research UK, through 2015in2015. I won't know how much was raised until next week (at the earliest), but I'm really hopeful that it'll put me a lot closer towards my target! Another exciting event- yesterday, myself and a team of wonderful volunteers handed out 100 lemons (wearing tops saying LIFE) to the general public of Bristol, each one bearing the campaign details! It was a great day, despite the rain, and some fantastic conversations were had. Thank you so much to everyone who stopped and listened to us, and thank you more so to my amazing incredible volunteers! <3 This month, my challenge has been to wear glitter every day- if you'd like to have a look at my progress, look up 2015in2015 on Twitter. That's all for now folks; speak soon and have a wonderful day! <3 x

Sponsored Silence!

I've officially completed the hardest and most frustrating day of my life: a sponsored silence in aid of 2015in2015. I chose to do a sponsored silence for two reasons- firstly, because it was relevant. For those affected by mental health problems, it can be hard to speak out- so, as my sign decreed, I was staying quiet (for once!), so others might not have to. Secondly, I chose to do it because I knew it would challenge me like nothing else could. I am hugely talkative. I am hugely argumentative. I rely on words. To have to sign or write was incredibly frustrating, and I'm amazed that I made it through the day. I would much rather do a month without jeans and chocolate and meat and social media than one more day of a sponsored silence! Today has definitely pushed and tested me unlike any other challenge. But, y'know, it was worth it, because it's all for a good cause. For those who need a reminder, or who are new to this, 2015in2015 is my baby: a year-long campaign, aiming to raise awareness of mental health, and money (aim is £2015, to be exact!) for Mental Health Research UK. This challenge has seen me wearing a unicorn onesie, abstaining from alcohol, and participating in monthly challenges. This challenge has had me (and my lovely friends) walking to Bath. It is this challenge that succeeded where everything and everyone else failed- in shutting me up for a day! But why? Why am I doing this? Why is it important? Well, as a survivor of self harm and dark/suicidal places, as well as an ongoing warrior fighting what can be intense anxiety each and every day, mental health is something that has affected- and still affects, and will probably continue to affect- my life in a big way. Far, far worse than my own struggles, however, is seeing those I love go through theirs. No one deserves to be attacked by their own mind. No one deserves what 1 in 4 people experience every year. Everyone deserves health, and happiness, and self-worth, and love. Everyone deserves hope. I am going to keep fighting until that is not just a wish, but a concrete fact. Please help me. Please, please help me to help others hope. All the money raised from 2015in2015 goes straight to Mental Health Research UK. There, it will be used to research the causes, treatments and cures for a variety of mental health problems. Long term, this could provide an awful lot of people with a whole lot of hope. If you share the same vision as I do- a world where there is more knowledge, and therefore better treatment, for people fighting against themselves- then help me out. Text 'BEKS97 £2' to 70070 to donate £2 (or change the money bit to donate more/less), or visitwww.justgiving.com/2015in2015 to make a donation. Alternately, grab me when you see me! Lastly, share this status- it takes a few clicks, and it would be really helpful. Thank you so SO flipping much to everyone who's supported me so far- I can't explain how huge your support has been. Seriously guys. Y'all are too fantastic. And remember- no matter who it is reading this, there is room in my heart for you, always. I love you, wonder-person. Rock on xxx

Hello!

Hello! I have been absent a while... Absent from the blog, I mean. 2015in2015 is still ongoing, and not something I have been absent from at all! (I feel like I should both apologise and forewarn now- it is very early on the morning of Results Day; this post may be a bit scatty. But anyway) Unicorn onesie wearing has been in full swing! Let me tell you, it was bloody hot in France on the 1st August!! Also last week I helped run a table top sale, proceeds from which are going to 2015in2015. Yet to be counted, but looks good! Lastly, I have a walk from Bristol to Bath planned for a couple of weeks time- if you'd like to get involved, let me know!! That's all for now folks; over & out xx

18th Birthday...

It's just over a week till my 18th birthday- exciting!! This is the time of year, for me, when people say 'what do you want?', and I jokingly reply 'world peace'. Well, this year I'm changing my answer. This year, I want better research into and treatment for mental illnesses. It's all I've ever wanted, really; it's the one thing I've wanted to change about the world, for as long as I can remember. However, this year I'm doing whatever I can to help us to get there- and I'm asking for your help. If you were planning on getting me a present/card for my birthday, then I've got a small ask for you. Instead of getting me something, I would much much rather you made a donation to my 2015in2015 campaign instead. It's not that I don't appreciate presents, of course I do. It's just, you see, there's really nothing I need- I've got my health and happiness, I've got love and friendship. Mental health research/treatments need funding, and if I can help give them that, then that's what I will do. If you weren't planning on getting me anything then that's totally cool, ignore this status! But if you were, please take a minute to check out www.justgiving.com/2015in2015, and make a donation- it doesn't matter how big or small, it just matters to me that you've made one. Thank you so so much, and I hope you have a beautiful day x ‪

Update :)

Hey!! How are you doing?! Me?- I'm doing alright thanks. The sun is up, and so am I! So far this week, I have worn my unicorn onesie for the first of the month, gone back to social media and- eek!- given up chocolate for a month. By 'chocolate' I mean anything that has 'cocoa' listed as a main ingredient. So, yup, back to not having Milky Bar yoghurts and Pop Tarts :( I also don't get to have the amazing chocolatey things they do at school, or any kind of chocolate biscuit. So far, it's been pretty damn difficult (especially considering PMS, which is making me want to eat ALL the things, particularly the chocolate ones). However, it's all for a good cause, right?! Anyway, I'm gonna go and revise... :( Here's hoping you have a fantastic day :) <3

One Day More!

Tomorrow is the 1st of June... Which means that I get to go back to social media! Ooh! How am I feeling about this? Well, I'm intrigued to see what I've missed. I want to check my messages, as I'm worried that I'll have missed something important. I've made various new friends recently, and am looking forwards to seeingif they've added me or adding them. I've missed not being able to look people up- you know when a name crops up in conversation that you don't know, so you look them up? Yeah, I've missed that. I feel a bit out of the loop, so it'll be good to catch up, particularly in terms of any events I've been invited to- that all happens over Facebook! So, with regards to that, I guess I'm missing it & looking forwards to going back. However, those are all pretty small things. Over the course of this month, I've survived incredibly well without Facebook, and I would say I'm feeling better for it. Partly, I've been more productive (though I have found other ways to procrastinate- Pleated-Jeans I hate you!); partly, I've lost that comparison level that Facebook provides, which has left me feeling a bit better about myself; partly, I feel closer to people, as I'm actively seeking them out & asking how they're doing etc. When I'm linked up, I also feel compelled to be reacting to things, for instance on Twitter- and recently I just haven't had the energy, so it's been good to not feel like I have to. It's made me realise how dependent we are upon social media. I would love love love to give it up entirely, but it's become a huge part of how we live, which is frustrating. So, I'm going back tomorrow; but I think I'll be resistant, at least ill the end of my exams. Following that, I aim to continue to take a step back approach to it, using social media largely for necessity. But who knows!

Onesie Week: Day Seven!!

The very last day of Mental Health Awareness Week... For Sunday, I wore a (borrowed) panda onesie, made out of thinner material so I didn't overheat completely whilst teaching swimming!!

Onesie Week/MHAW has been fab. Thank you to the two who lent me onesies, and to everyone who's supported me this week. I had some random donations throughout the week, so will be counting that up asap. Over and out! X

Onesie Week: Day Six!

Although I started the week by making sure I had enough onesies to last, I had to do a repetition today... Sad face. The onesie I was going to wear was a penguin, with penguin feet. Unfortunately, onesies with feet don't allow for shoes; earlier this week I had to wear plastic bags, and on another day I cut the feet from a onesie. As I had plans to spend part of the day in town, I decided shoes were a necessity; and the feet of the penguin onesie have penguin faces, so I didn't want to cut them off. Hence, I wore my cheetah again, mainly cos it's one of my faves- it's just so cosy!! Anyway, today I took part in National Good Gestures day, which might just be my favourite day ever. It was birthed by Stephen Sutton, who died of cancer last year (it was in the news). He was a pretty amazing person, as evident in this: he felt we should have a day to show a bit of love and goodwill to the people around us, so came up with the idea of a National Good Gestures Day. It was held last year, and went really well- he lived to see it, thank goodness, but unfortunately died later on in the year. NGGD was held again this year, and in Bristol there was a huge organised team for it. We spent time in the centre, giving out free high fives, hugs and stickers, and just generally spreading the loce. I absolutely loved being involved, and am super glad I made time to join in!! 

If you can ever do something for NGGD, definitely do; or just show a good gesture to the person next to you. Give them a smile, a compliment- it doesn't need to be big, just something to show that you care! And, if you're reading this, I think you're beautiful x

Onesie Week: Day Five :))

Today's onesie was the ever notorious unicorn. As my day included sixth form, a trip into town, a presentation/performance for IDAHOBiT* and a gathering at a friend's house, the onesie got plenty of usage! I also had two people donate, and one person who said she didn't have any money, but gave me a box of cookies instead. I love lovely people!! ^.^ Pictures above are of me performing some poetry at the IDAHOBiT thing, and falling asleep with a friend's dog.

*International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia- May 17th

Onesie Week: Day Four ^.^

Today's onesie was a fluffy polar bear, and it was WAAAY too hot!! I was so glad to take it off!! Best thing about today has been having a bath, then putting on pyjamas that AREN'T A ONESIE. I feel like I can breathe!! Seriously, I am craving jeans and normal clothes!

No Social Media: Day 13

Hey hey hey!! It's Day 13 of no social media, and I am still loving it. Today I managed to procrastinate a lot- but I still got so much done compared to usual! It's great. The only thing I'm really missing is the ease of it. Like when someone mentions someone you might know, so you pull up their Facebook to check, y'know? And being able to message practically anyone- I'm starting to realise how few numbers I actually have. However, the benefits are by far outweighing the negatives, and it's going swell! X

Onesie Week: Day Three!!

Today's onesie is a husky one, borrowed from a friend. It's super soft!! Unfortunately the weather today has been quite warm, so I'm overheating. But that's part of the fun, right?!

Onesie Week: Day Two!!

Excuse the shoddy picture alignment; posting this from my phone right before bedtime. But ah well. Here is Tuesday's onesie- my cheetah!! Lovely and cosy, which was perfect for my stressful day of revision and an exam. I definitely needed the cosiness of curling up in super-soft fabric! However, it was less appropriate for this evening's entertainment... I went to Cardiff to see S Club 7!! They were absolutely amazing. Unfortunately it was super hot, and the onesie didn't help- but no pain no gain, right? And I'm super pleased I wore it as I could see lots of people reading the signs I wear, so hopefully I'll spread the campaign even further! Anyway, I'm exhausted from my mega long day, so over and out xox

Onesie Week: Day One

Today's onesie is my owl onesie. Which happens to be quite hot, as a matter of fact. Unfortunately, it has feet, and I couldn't put shoes over them, so had to go to school shoeless. It then rained. So yes, I rocked the plastic bag shoe look. All in the name of charity hey?!

Onesie WEEK?!

So seeing as it's Mental Health Awareness Week next week, I figured I'd better commemorate it somehow. And, in true 2015in2015 spirit, it seemed pretty obvious that that way had to be by wearing a different onesie every day. What am I up to next week? Oh, only an exam, seeing S Club 7 live, an IDAHOBiT performance/presentation, Good Gestures Day. As well as school, and volunteering, and walking, and taking buses. No biggie. It's gonna be fab. Keep tuned in to see some of my exploits (and onesies!!) over the week! :)

No Social Media: Day 6

Hey there! Thought I'd check in with my no social media... Since 30th April, I haven't once looked at Facebook/Tumblr/Twitter/Instagram/Snapchat- and, so far, so good!! I've been amazingly producticve, getting loads of revision done; I spent some lovely time with my family (which happens anyway, but this time it wasn't plagued by notifications); my blogging productivity has improved tremendously; and I'm actually feeling closer to people who normally I'd speak to through social media. It's a win in every aspect!!

Vegetarianism and Social Media

Hello!! It's the last day of April today- which means that, tomorrow morning, three things will happen: I will get up without indulging in my morning routine of lying in bed checking social media; I'll get dressed in my unicorn onesie; and I'll have a yoghurt with gelatin in with my breakfast. Exciting?! In case this all sounds a bit weird, being vegetarian was my 'challenge' for this month. It's been interesting, but has gotten slowly more difficult as the month's progressed- I am so excited for tomorrow! Bacon and sweets and Milky Way yoghurts and chicken and burgers... I have missed you!! However, to challenge myself in May, I'm choosing to give up social media. That means that I won't be able to use Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr for an entire month- whaaat?! If you want to contact me, you'll have to be all old fashioned and either email or text/ring. I'll also still be blogging, though probably infrequently. Lastly, as tomorrow is the first of May, the unicorn onesie will be present. My day tomorrow includes an English lesson at one school, revision at my 'normal' school, a trip into town for a youth forum and a dog walk with my sister. Plenty of opportunities for people to appreciate the fabulous onesie-ness!! This week I have also been running a baby photo/teacher competition in my school, which has been great fun, and has contributed to 2015in2015. So far, so good!!

CLF Post-16 Quiz Night

On Wednesday, I held the first official event of 2015in2015- a quiz night at my sixth form!! Comprising of six rounds, including Dingbats, Only Connect and a music round, the questions were pretty tough, but everyone did really well, and the evening seemed to go down really well. Shout out to BS15 for coming in first place, FDA for second place and 16P for third place!
I'm really pleased to announce that we raised over £80, which is 4% of my overall target- that's amazing!! The hugest of thanks to everyone who turned up, it really meant a lot and it was amazing to feel so supported in my first event :)

CLF Post 16 Charity Quiz Night

Anyone in the CLF Post 16- quiz night opportunity coming up!! Wednesday 28th January from 6:30, in the Cabot Eye at JCA. £5 per team with a max of 5 people per team, and all proceeds go straight to Mental Health Research UK. Contact me to register your team!! Come one, come all :)

When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Lemonade

This year, I turn 18. It's a landmark birthday, signifying reaching adulthood. In the UK, it's also the age at which I am legally able to purchase alcohol. Hence, for many people, the 18th birthday is celebrated by exercising that right- eg, going out and drinking.

I've been looking forwards to that too- I've even decided where I want my first legal drink to be, and where I want to go for my first night out. However, this year I have something bigger on my mind: the small matter of raising £2015 for charity. Therefore, I have decided that, for the whole of this year, I will not consume any alcohol. None at all. I'm asking people to sponsor my attempt (which WILL be successful!!) and to follow my progress- all support is so so gratefully received!!

That's all from me for now, aside to wish you a Happy New Year- and to make mine a lemonade :)