Thank You!

Sooo 2015in2015 is officially over... And, somehow, we did it!! We raised £2015!!!! I'm so so so pleased and proud... Signing off from fundraising for a while, but I wanted to say the biggest of big thank yous to everyone who's supported me along the way!! <3 <3

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!