Shining the light on Volunteers

At LIVIN, we are so grateful for the support of our passionate and generous volunteers, fundraisers and our community more broadly. You guys and gals help us to do what we do – in many ways you are the lifeblood of the organisation and our efforts to break the stigma of mental health. Some really pleasing news, in addition to helping us to do what we do and subsequently helping others, by getting involved with LIVIN (and other meaningful causes) the science has long been telling us that it helps you out as well. Giving back to the world is reportedly ‘one of the most therapeutic things we can do for ourselves.’ Mahatma Gandhi (a very smart and wise human being) is quoted as saying, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – volunteering and fundraising are a couple of ways that you can achieve this! While we could shine the light on so many amazing people, today we would like to introduce you to the awesome, Karlee

Tell us a bit about yourself? Occupation? Age? Where you’re from, etc?

I’m Karlee, a ripe 26 years young, currently residing on the sunny Gold Coast. I was born and bred in South Gippsland, Victoria. Raised on a dairy farm with my 2 older brothers in a tiny valley named Woodleigh. I’ll forever have fond memories of this upbringing. Us 3 kids alongside mum and dad got to spend a lot of time together as a bloody awesome family unit. A unit built on hard work, harmony, love & a lot of laughter. I enjoyed my schooling years at Newhaven College on Phillip Island however it appears now the best thing I learnt there was the confidence to stand out and do things your own way – build your own roads, if you will. The school also provided plenty of opportunities for me to take the mic (quite literally) as I found home on stage in any kind of costume or performance. 

I learnt early, that the world was a big place worth exploring. At 14 (and 9 months) I traded in the Nyora Saints netball nicks for an apron at Kelly’s Bakery in Korumburra – where I would continue to work regularly to fund my international travels as a young teen. I had many ‘eye-opening’ experiences as I travelled through countries and villages far less fortunate than me. These travels also found me fall madly in love with the travel and service industry. In my later (dreadlocked & free spirited) teenage years, my school holidays and weekends consisted of epic mountain adventures at an outdoor education centre in the Victorian high country called Wollangarra. Wollangarra aims to provide a small but vital step towards a healthier environment, a stronger community and happier young people. Man was I a happy young person! 

Post high school I completed a bachelor of business at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School. An education based on a hands-on hotel experience – which took me all around our wonderful country experiencing industry placements in many different establishments. I graduated with a management position in the sleepy town of Agnes Water & 1770. After some great learning there, I showed sincere interest in the ‘behind the scenes’ of travel and ended up in Sydney working for one of Australia’s leading travel wholesalers. 

My ‘mid twenties’ crisis (as I like to call it) saw me abruptly walk out of my office role one fine Tuesday morning – as I realised I was leading a life far from what I actually wanted. I attempted to return home to South Gippsland however putting on slippers in February was far from my ideal living temperature. I somehow stumbled upon a live-in disability support role on the Gold Coast (of where I vowed to NEVER live – haha now I can’t see myself leaving!). This industry has since allowed me to live a much more balanced and purposeful lifestyle. Getting out of the rat race has allowed me to slow down, smile more, drink my coffee slower and read more books. Thankfully, it has given me the opportunity to do a lot of self discovery which has made me far richer than any salary could ever provide. 

Tell us a bit about your ‘Seed A Smile’ and ‘Squash The Stigma’ initiative and why you came up with the concept?

Seed A Smile – is hoping to do exactly that. Plant smiles! It is the gift to love, sow & grow. The plant-your-own bunch of flowers – except rather than this gift finding home in the bin in 4 days after receiving, these babies are just sprouting! The brand was born at a sad time for me personally, and it was a way to nurture my own mental health and now hopefully nurture that of others. The brand is fun, light hearted, colourful, punny and really bloomin’ kind – exactly what I needed at time of inception, and it’s exactly what I want to project into this world. 

‘Squash the Stigma’ was a fun little endeavour for the month of October, this year. Last year, I ran as much as I could over 30 days for many mental health services. 500kms in 30 days was a huge solo feat. This year I wanted to involve more people and spread the message with more intent. This year I took to the squash court with 31 different mates and amongst all the sweaty, laughable chaos we had a chat about mental health. I recorded the conversations and shared them widely across social media platforms. I asked my many mates just what  ‘mental health’ meant to them and what nurturing that looked like. It was bloody awesome. There were so many wonderful people willing to get involved, and every chat was so wildly different. For some, nurturing their mental health meant being mindful over a cup of coffee every morning, for others it was journaling or time in nature. I hoped to shed light on the fact that we all have mental health and we need to treat this no differently to any other ‘health’. We brush our teeth every day for dental hygiene – we similarly should be investing in our mental health just as habitually.

What made you choose LIVIN as the charity you wished to support in this initiative?

From the moment I saw LIVIN’s messaging #itaintweaktospeak plastered across a bumper sticker I felt connected, supported & encouraged. I began to notice the brand more and more. On hats and on shirts, and at some point I felt compelled to look them up. I suppose like everyone who reps this brand, I was touched by the story – I too could relate. I had not long lost my awesome cousin Ash to his struggles with mental ill health. I have ever since proudly rocked LIVIN apparel and voiced their message however I can.

Why is supporting mental health awareness important to you personally?

Initially, I found it extremely difficult to comprehend the passing of my cousin. I simply could not grasp how someone so happy, kind, intelligent & loved could ever make that decision. I didn’t understand how he could feel so alone when he was surrounded by people who loved him. 

I couldn’t understand it, until many months later I too felt like I couldn’t tell anyone how I was really feeling. My sadness was so heavy for so long after that I didn’t want to share that with anyone, especially when most of my family were dealing with this same sadness themselves. I felt like I couldn’t share my grief, because I was ‘the happy, ‘the positive,’ ‘the optimistic,’ and ‘the strong’ one. It was then that I understood how deeply etched the stigma really is. All those titles are so limiting and destructive. I am a happy person – but that will never mean I can’t feel big horrible things, and that does not mean that I have to always remain strong for everyone else. It was in this same struggle that I found strength and power knowing that people will listen and follow those ‘happy people,’ so It became important for me then to guide myself and others along a path of self improvement. 

What advice would you give to someone who is struggling?

Reach out! It is not at all easy, but just start with someone, somewhere. A professional, a mate, your mum, your brother – whoever. If you are feeling like a ‘burden’ go see a professional – they are never offended, you can say horrible things without the fear of judgment, they’ll let you ugly cry, they won’t cry when you cry and they’re really bloody good at what they do! Importantly, just like dating, don’t be afraid to shop around until you find the right one 😉 

AND GIVE! Share whatever ounce of happiness you have, because happiness is the only thing that doubles each time you share it. 

How can people support/donate to your initiative?

Next time you’re about to send flowers, consider buying a Seed a Smile Box instead, this gesture grows! Truthfully though, the best way you can support me, is look after your damn fine self! Keep investing in your own mental health, because I am proof that a life of peace IS possible, but it takes daily practice. If you have found peace, please help others find theirs – lead by example and let your light shine on as many as you can.