Dear Tanya

There have been some truly low times over the past 18 months. My handful of long-term friends, habits and surprising encounters have helped me to get back up when to be quite honest, I really just didn’t want to and couldn’t see how I could, even if I did want to.

One of the things that helped me was my wardrobe. Even just looking at all the colours in my wardrobe lifts my spirits. Putting on nice clothes gave me the courage and incentive to do things when I just didn’t feel as though I could, but I knew I had to.

One Saturday I felt as though the rest of the world was spending time with their friends and family and I was having another weekend alone. I decided to try something new. I dressed up and went to see a daytime movie, by myself. I felt confident, bold and somewhat proud of myself, knowing I stood out because of my clothing choice. It was okay to stand out. It was okay to be me. 

 I just wanted to thank you for being you, for helping me to face up to and change the changeable in my world and for doing this for so many other people in Tasmania and beyond.

With love and appreciation,

Name Withheld