{"id":2006,"date":"2025-05-01T11:25:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T10:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/?p=2006"},"modified":"2025-05-01T11:25:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T10:25:28","slug":"louise-courtney-trusting-your-gut-and-answering-the-drip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2025\/05\/01\/louise-courtney-trusting-your-gut-and-answering-the-drip\/","title":{"rendered":"Louise Courtney: Trusting Your Gut and Answering the Drip"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Have you ever noticed something\u2014a comment, a glance, or an action\u2014that left you unsettled? Maybe it wasn\u2019t overtly wrong, and if you told someone else, they might not understand why it bothered you. Even so, you felt it\u2014that discomfort in your gut, telling you something wasn\u2019t quite right.<\/p>\n

This is where being an\u00a0Active Bystander<\/strong>\u00a0matters. It\u2019s about noticing those moments and choosing to act in ways that feel manageable. You don\u2019t have to make a scene or confront anyone aggressively. It\u2019s often the small, thoughtful actions that make the biggest difference\u2014trusting your instincts and taking steps to check in, clarify, or redirect before things escalate.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to brush off those feelings. You might think, \u201cIt\u2019s probably just me,\u201d or, \u201cIt\u2019s not worth making a fuss.\u201d However, if something felt wrong to you, trust yourself. Maybe it was subtle\u2014tone, intention, or context\u2014but your instincts are worth listening to. A simple, \u201cI didn\u2019t quite understand what you meant by that,\u201d or, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d can open a dialogue without creating unnecessary conflict. If it turns out to be nothing, that\u2019s fine. If your instincts were right, though, your small action could prevent the moment from becoming something bigger.<\/p>\n

Many people hesitate because they worry about misreading the situation. You might wonder, \u201cWhat if I get someone into trouble when they didn\u2019t mean anything by it?\u201d Acting doesn\u2019t have to be about blame or punishment\u2014it\u2019s about curiosity, care, and clarity. Asking a question or offering support doesn\u2019t accuse anyone of wrongdoing. Instead, it says, \u201cI noticed this, and I want to check in.\u201d There\u2019s no harm in that, but it can have a significant impact if something was wrong.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, the person involved might say, \u201cIt\u2019s not a big deal.\u201d That can feel like a dead end, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. People process situations differently. They might genuinely feel fine, or they might downplay it to avoid conflict or attention. Just because they say it\u2019s nothing doesn\u2019t mean it wasn\u2019t harmful. If it mattered to you\u2014if it felt off\u2014then it\u2019s worth acknowledging. Ignoring it only lets it slide, and those small moments can build up over time.<\/p>\n

Think of it like a dripping tap. At first, it\u2019s just a minor annoyance\u2014one drop here, another there. You notice it but think, \u201cThe next person will call the facilities team.\u201d The next person thinks the same, and so does the next. Eventually, the sink starts to overflow, and people assume someone else has dealt with it. When the floodwaters rise, everyone walks past thinking, \u201cThis is too big now\u2014surely someone\u2019s already called for help.\u201d The drip becomes a flood simply because no one acted on the small thing.<\/p>\n

Small moments of harm work the same way. A comment, a tone, or an exclusion might seem minor, but those drips add up. By trusting your gut and addressing the small things, you can stop the flood before it begins.<\/p>\n

Being an Active Bystander isn\u2019t about perfection. It\u2019s about small actions\u2014a question, a check-in, or a quiet nudge\u2014that show you noticed and care. If you\u2019re unsure, you don\u2019t have to act alone. Talk to a friend, a colleague, or a team member. Together, you can figure out the best way forward.<\/p>\n

Every small action\u2014a word, a moment, a ripple\u2014helps create a culture where harm doesn\u2019t go unnoticed, and floods are prevented. The next time your gut tells you something\u2019s off, don\u2019t ignore it. You don\u2019t have to act perfectly, and you don\u2019t have to act alone. Even the smallest ripple can make all the difference.<\/p>\n

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Related<\/h1>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

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Find Us<\/h4>\n

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The University of Manchester
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