The Courage to Blog

I’ve been thinking about blogging for a while now. But I’ve been putting it off. I’ve been nervous. Although the desire to blog is there, it feels like a risky endeavour. It requires me to put myself out there, in a space where I will be vulnerable and open to judgement.

But, Brené Brown says vulnerability is good, right? And I’ve just spent four years doing a PhD on risk-taking, with the conclusion is that taking risks is also good.

So here I am, writing my first blog, putting myself out there, sharing myself with the world and welcoming vulnerability and judgement.

Part of the reason I’ve decided to take this risk is because, despite my PhD advocating risk-taking, I have started to wonder whether I am not the courageous risk-taker I have always thought myself to be (or maybe once was). In times gone by, for sure I’ve taken risks. I’ve asked boys out on dates, I’ve spoken my mind, I’ve travelled solo around the world and I’ve taken up high risk sports. But in recent years, I’ve sat in a place of comfort, lacking the courage to do or say all the things I want. And so, this blog is my attempt to remedy that.

To take back courage and bravery – as a way of being and doing what I want.

So, what will my blog be about? Two things: education and life (or the education that is life). It will be my thoughts, ideas, research and wonderings about formal education and the learning that takes place in our everyday lives – our actions, interactions and meanderings. I will offer what I’ve learnt, what I think, and what I wonder. I’ll include the occasional provocation. I am hoping that what I have to offer might be of value to you, the reader.

I am hoping that through reading my thoughts and ideas, you might be inspired to new thinking and doing,

and your new thinking and doing might inspire others to new thinking and doing; and together we might create positive transformations in the way we educate our children, young people, colleagues and peers; and collectively learn to ‘live well in a world worth living in’ (Kemmis et al., 2014)

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