I mull. It’s the way I process. I’ve become an approximator out of necessity. I have to be ok with “close to” actions; otherwise, I’d always be mulling.
When I mull, I draft ideas. I read. I scrounge around on websites and blogs, in magazines and books. I write. I scribble in notebooks and blog posts, tweets and texts.
And I talk. I synthesize in discussion with colleagues, over coffee and after school.
This takes time and presence. Finding someone who is open to dialogue, to lend an ear, their heart and mind to your concerns, can be challenging, a scarce commodity.
Today I want to celebrate those who take the time to talk, to mull with me. Some in person, some on voxer and some in “conversation” on blogs or Twitter. Conversation instigates ideas for my teaching or writing life. It keeps the cycle alive so that I can act. Jenn Hayhurst and Jill DeRosa do this work well. Read about their process here.
Some are uncomfortable with my mulling and approximating tendencies. And I don’t blame them. The time it takes, and the slipperiness of it can be painful. People want schedules and steps, amounts and measures, curriculums with day one through day twenty. I need those things too. To mull over, to check the accuracy of my approximations.
It takes time and I celebrate my colleagues who take the time to talk to mull things over with me. Read more celebrations here on Ruth Ayers blog that celebrates the week.
To Read To Write To Be 
I love your mulliness. It’s what makes you you. And all that wandering around, thinking, and processing produces much wisdom that you are brave and willing to share.
Mull, now that’s a perfect word for your processing. With your mulling, great teaching occurs. So keep mulling because the rest of us benefit from it.
I agree with Margaret and Elsie, your “mulling” brings forth good thinking/ideas. People who jump to judgement do not always have the best ideas. I think/mull a lot trying to decide things, so maybe understand a little of what you’ve described. Good that you have friends to listen & talk.
I love mulling with you, Julieanne – it’s how we arrive at the best ideas, right?!
Here’s to mulling! I love the way you mull and inspire me to do the same. 🙂
I appreciate mulling too. I mulled something over late Friday afternoon with a colleague. I was thankful that she was willing to bounce ideas back and forth. It truly helped me in my decision making for my upcoming lessons.
Love your description of what you do when you “mull.” I appreciate having someone around who wants to bounce ideas, mull, and talk. You’re right, it does take time and presence. I love seeing inside your thinking on your blog.