29/06/2026
Wow! How do I even begin to describe this experience.
Short version:
Thank you to everyone who supported me for the 20 hours for 20 Talk challenge.
4:00am Sunday to 12 midnight, in a huge, cold, empty warehouse in Alexandria with about 130 others (Saturday was sold out, almost 300). Restricted to a 2m x 2m tapped slab of concrete, 20 hours of silence, no talking, no devices, no books, no games, no headphones, no input. Sit, Sleep, Journal.
The Sydney participants raised over $480,000 over the weekend for the youth and young adult mental health charity 20 Talk.
My reflection - Long version:
I napped prior. I was so concerned I wouldn’t wake up to my alarm (of which I set maybe 5 in concession) as I needed to arrive at 3:15am to set up for the challenge starting at 4am! It felt like getting there was the first hurdle to leap….but I did it.
I walked into the football field sized, empty, cold warehouse in Alexandria and was welcomed by the beautiful team of volunteers from 20 Talk, had my name ticked off, given ear plugs and a torch and directions to my 2m X 2m tapped cubical of concrete, numbered H5. My spot for 20 hours of silence. No talking. No devices. No headphones. No books. No Games. No moving out of the space other than toilet breaks. (I forgot to pack snacks!...crap!!)
There was envelope with a sticker “H5 phone” which contained meal labels to use if I wanted to hand in food to be refrigerated, and a 20 Talk guided journal that all participants received. I set up my mattress, blankets, camp chair and got my food out ready for collection, tried poorly to take some last-minute photos, put my phone in the envelope, sealed it and sat down wondering what the hell to do now.
Sitting there with roughly 130 other people, 4am till about 4.10am I wondered if I stuffed up…sh*t…what am I doing?? but the thought passed, and I managed to fall asleep. I woke to a local elder who was giving us some nuggets of wisdom, then played the Yidaki. This was truly a beautiful way to wake up.
I ate breakfast, went to the toilet (clean toilet block woohoo) and for the remainder of the challenge, I really had no concept of time. Although they hit the gong on the hour, I only remember hearing it 5 times, if that.
I have never slept so much in my life, I missed the first activity “passing notes” but in true community spirit, I had two notes from strangers waiting for me when I next sat up. Was such a lovely feeling to know that even though I didn’t participate, I wasn’t left out.
There was another activity that I had seen footage of prior, one that I really didn’t think I could join called “Eye Gazing”. It’s where people are allowed to leave their cube, walk around the space until you find someone that you mutually want to connect with, you stop, stand opposite each other and just stare silently into each other’s eyes until you feel you’re ready to move onto another person. I don’t like strong eye contact just in general, with people I know…lol, let alone a perfect stranger. I decided I would just sit and politely smile and observe. Then, out of nowhere a lady, maybe in her 30s walked near me, looked down, made eye contact and nodded. Now, This is where my (Sh*t…You can’t be rude Cathy) kicked in, so I got up to stand opposite her. WOW!!! Wtf…..I honestly can’t describe what happened next. We just starred, started matching each other’s breathing, matched each other’s smiles, then I kid you not……BOTH STARTED TO WELL UP IN TEARS……how?? I can’t explain what happened, but it honestly felt like she gave me part of her. Anyway, not trying to sound to woo woo….But it was magical!
I did some journalling, slept, ate, sat, journaled, slept etc….I must say it was the LONGEST 20 hours of my life….but not in a bad way. It really showed me that when you strip almost everything away, time really does slow right down.
They had a breathing/meditation facilitator after dinner and then before I knew it, the last gong was struck. I was proud of everyone there, the 20 talk founders, the volunteers and myself. We raised over $480,000 for youth and young adult mental health education. I am so thankful for everyone who supported me and those who were able to donate. I do feel different, I feel privileged to have taken part, but when midnight struck, I was happy to go home.
I highly recommend this experience xx
