Laura

In Honour of the Ones Who Fought in Silence (Including Me)

In 2020, I was struggling quietly.

The alarm would go off—and I’d just lie there, staring at the ceiling.
Not because I was tired. But because I genuinely couldn’t find a reason to get out of bed.

What was the point?

From the outside, I looked strong.
I was strong.
The one who held it together. The one others leaned on.
Always the giver. Always the one ready to listen, support, uplift.

But the truth is—I had no idea how to ask for help myself.

No one teaches you how to say “I’m not okay” when you’ve made a life out of being the one who is.

And slowly, the heaviness built up. The numbness. The sense that I was floating through life, disconnected from everything.

That year cracked me open. But it also woke me up.

It made me realise that mental health isn’t about weakness or strength.
It’s about being human.

And I’m not the only one.

My mum battled mental illness for most of her life.
Bipolar disorder. Depression. Early signs of schizophrenia.
She passed in her 50s, but her soul gave up long before that. 

And my former partner?
He tried. So hard.
He focused on healing. His body. His breath. His inner world.
He gave it everything he had—but the physical pain was constant. His mind grew tired.
And eventually, it was too much.

That’s why I’m doing 20 Hours for 20Talk.

On June 28, I’ll be going silent for 20 hours.
No talking. No tech. No distractions.
Just presence—and purpose.

I’m doing it for my mum.
For my former partner.
For the version of me that didn’t know how to speak up.

And for the people right now who still don’t.

20Talk is an incredible organisation supporting mental health in young people—creating safe spaces, real conversations, and early intervention so fewer people have to suffer in silence.

I’ve set a goal to raise $1,000.
Because if this helps even one person feel seen or supported—it’s worth every quiet moment.

If this speaks to you, please consider donating. Even $10 matters.
👉🏼 https://www.20hoursfor20talk.com.au/fundraisers/lauralopezbujia

Thank you for reading.
Thank you for feeling this with me.
And thank you for being part of something that could save a life.

With all my heart,
Laura