Sitting in Silence: Why I’m Taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge
Stillness isn’t something we often choose.
In a world that is loud, busy, and constantly demanding our attention, silence can feel uncomfortable — even confronting. Yet for many people living with mental health challenges, sitting with difficult thoughts and emotions isn’t optional. It’s part of everyday life.
This is why I’ve chosen to take part in 20 Hours for 20Talk.
What the challenge involves
As part of this challenge, I will be sitting in complete silence for 20 hours, inside a 2 × 2 metre square, with nothing but a journal and a pen.
No phone.
No distractions.
No escape from my thoughts.
Just time, space, and reflection.
While this experience is symbolic, it is designed to mirror — in a small way — the isolation, discomfort, and mental load many people experience when struggling with their mental health.
Why this matters to me
I am an early childhood educator and a strong advocate for emotional wellbeing.
Over the years, I’ve seen how deeply mental health is connected to the experiences children have in their earliest years. Long before children have the language to explain how they feel, they are learning:
how emotions are expressed and regulated
whether it feels safe to ask for help
how to cope with frustration, fear, sadness, and uncertainty
Mental health doesn’t suddenly begin in adulthood.
The foundations are laid early.
When we support children’s emotional wellbeing from the beginning, we give them tools that can stay with them for life — tools that help them navigate challenges, build resilience, and feel confident seeking support when they need it.
Silence as reflection, not avoidance
This challenge isn’t about withdrawing from the world.
It’s about intentionally slowing down, listening inward, and creating space to reflect — something we often avoid because it feels uncomfortable. But discomfort can be a powerful teacher.
Sitting in silence invites us to notice what arises, rather than pushing it away. And that awareness is a vital part of emotional wellbeing.
Supporting mental health beyond the challenge
Alongside this challenge, I’ve been working on a short course for parents and educators called “Wellbeing Foundations for Little Minds.”
This course is designed to support adults in nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing through connection, understanding, and intentional practice. All funds raised from this course will be donated to 20Talk, helping to support mental health education, prevention, and advocacy.
How you can support
If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, your support helps fund vital mental health initiatives and keeps these important conversations going.
If donating isn’t possible right now, you can still support mental health by:
sharing this challenge or fundraising page
checking in on someone you care about
starting conversations about emotional wellbeing — especially with children
Every action matters.
A final reflection
We don’t need to have all the answers.
We just need to be willing to listen — to ourselves and to each other.
Thank you for taking the time to read, reflect, and support mental health — for children, families, and our wider community.
