When Aidan Alan tagged me in this, I immediately thought, “Ah, vulnerability… my favourite hobby…”

I’ve documented that I’m 37. My day job is as a teacher for English, psychology, art, art history, and teacher training. My PhD Education is focused on resilience. My side hustles include working in the local theatres, selling my own art, curating art exhibitions, and my novel is now going through it's second edit. Before that, I worked in retail and hospitality, and I’ve worked in PR and men’s fashion. Men’s fashion was by far one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It's just a shame it was so damned competitive, and I’m not a “fashion” girlie…

What can I say? I’m a work in progress. I overthink, overfeel, and occasionally overachieve to make up for both, but I’m trying to show up as I am. Writing feels as natural as breathing to me. I’m grateful for the support. I can't stress that enough.

If sharing the scary bits helps anyone else feel seen, or at least laugh, then that’s good enough for me too (read Aidan's - and sub to him - because his stuff is gold). I’m honest in my writing about my own experiences. If you want absolute vulnerability, you might want to go read my Shrike or Ink and Intent posts. Be warned, they’re honest, but they’re not comfortable. They may give you a reason to understand why I write the way I do.

So, after that, general information: 6ft1” tall, never played any kind of hoop game, I can ride a horse, I’m terrible at flirting, I attended an all girls’ high school, then dropped out of college, then went back to Uni at 25. I used to play the clarinet. I’m a cat person, but I adore my dog. I have a Chinese dragon tattoo that wraps around my upper thigh, tattoos running up my spine, and a Shakespeare quote on my ribcage from The Tempest.

But, if there's one thing I want you to take from this, it’s this:

Share the part of yourself that you’re scared to show. It might just set you free, and it might move someone else too.

I nominate Smutty Simmons Words and Wilds Dorie Snow/雪多丽 Mondayswife Demetria Balfour Aaryn Hale Joel L Musings from the Mess KJ Harlow Jo 💜 Coral Evermore Dustin

🤍