Finding Courage

I remember one day when I was writing My Year Without Matches, I was struck with a wave of self-doubt and anxiety. It was not an unfamiliar feeling. Why would anyone want to read my story? I was terrified of making myself so exposed. And I remember thinking, “If I can garner enough courage to finish this project, then I can do anything.” I continue to collect emails and letters from people who write to me about how deeply stirred they were by it. It’s still incredible to me that I actually stuck with it long enough to produce a publishable memoir. It took so much courage.

However I was still surprised recently when my old activist mentor and dear friend Susie Russell nominated me for Stephanie Hunt’s “Finding Courage” project. The sweetest thing about being part of this project has been reading Susie’s own version of why she feels I deserve the title of ‘courageous’. I could see it through her eyes - courage in the form of breaking away from identities and social groups in order to forge my own path, again and again. To follow my own compass bearing. I feel honoured to be thought of in these terms, especially by someone who I learnt much about courage from (Susie’s own story is written too). I’m still bemused though by her thinking I’m shy! Introverted perhaps ;)

Thanks Susie and Stephanie, what a beautiful piece.

You can read the full piece here.