Natalie Reilly-Johnson
@natalierj.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Writer
The #lambent light at golden hour is a soft-focus filter. It’s the only time she lets anyone see her these days.
At sunrise she flees like Cinderella from the ball, skin mottling, eyes dulling.
She lost a shoe once in her rush.
Not a glass slipper.
An orthopaedic one. #vss365
At sunrise she flees like Cinderella from the ball, skin mottling, eyes dulling.
She lost a shoe once in her rush.
Not a glass slipper.
An orthopaedic one. #vss365
a cartoon of an elderly woman in a super hero outfit
ALT: a cartoon of an elderly woman in a super hero outfit
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February 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
His phone beeped as he arrived home.
“Great night. When shall we do it again?”
He ignored it. Best way to deal with needy women.
Turning to the mirror, he gasped. His reflection was fading like smoke.
His phone beeped again. “Oh, and I always #ghost people too. Soz.” #vss365
“Great night. When shall we do it again?”
He ignored it. Best way to deal with needy women.
Turning to the mirror, he gasped. His reflection was fading like smoke.
His phone beeped again. “Oh, and I always #ghost people too. Soz.” #vss365
a cartoon ghost with a surprised look on his face
ALT: a cartoon ghost with a surprised look on his face
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February 4, 2026 at 4:17 PM
They’ve resurrected that old perfume we all wore in the late 80s/early 90s.
I ordered it, inhaled, and it all came flooding back.
Bros. Roller boots. Shell suits…
…And the #pain of bullying.
The scent will fade. But those old taunting voices? I’m scared they won’t. #vss365
I ordered it, inhaled, and it all came flooding back.
Bros. Roller boots. Shell suits…
…And the #pain of bullying.
The scent will fade. But those old taunting voices? I’m scared they won’t. #vss365
a woman is spraying perfume on her ear with a bottle that says ' ey ' on it
ALT: a woman is spraying perfume on her ear with a bottle that says ' ey ' on it
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February 3, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
Chairs remember the shapes we leave behind; door handles the warmth of passing palms. Mirrors know our scratches and wrinkles.
This house inhales arguments and exhales laughter.
It’s archiving us, quietly collecting the fragments we don’t realize we’ve shed, building a #soul from scratch.
#vss365
This house inhales arguments and exhales laughter.
It’s archiving us, quietly collecting the fragments we don’t realize we’ve shed, building a #soul from scratch.
#vss365
February 2, 2026 at 3:45 PM
With weak hands, I type ‘The End,’ another piece of my #soul drained away into a book.
Each one kills me a little bit more, I know that. My books fill an entire shelf now.
But I will live on forever between their pages.
If you’re lucky, I might pull you in, too… #vss365
Each one kills me a little bit more, I know that. My books fill an entire shelf now.
But I will live on forever between their pages.
If you’re lucky, I might pull you in, too… #vss365
a black and white photo of an open book with a page that says ' bible ' on it
ALT: a black and white photo of an open book with a page that says ' bible ' on it
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February 2, 2026 at 11:42 AM
😱😱😱 Love this!
February 1, 2026 at 6:58 PM
😱😱😱 Love this!
“Today we’re doing #shadow yoga,” said the instructor. “I’ll talk to your shadows. Let them lead you & unlock your unconscious.”
I rolled my eyes but played along.
Afterwards, I ran up & kissed him.
“Sorry. Sneaky old shadow!” I laughed.
“That was all *you*,” a voice echoed. #vss365
I rolled my eyes but played along.
Afterwards, I ran up & kissed him.
“Sorry. Sneaky old shadow!” I laughed.
“That was all *you*,” a voice echoed. #vss365
a silhouette of a woman sitting in a lotus position with the word zen above her
ALT: a silhouette of a woman sitting in a lotus position with the word zen above her
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February 1, 2026 at 5:08 PM
I didn’t sleep a wink last night. Nanna was singing lullabies again.
They’re meant to #soothe, but they never do.
Probably because Nanna’s been dead a while. #vss365
They’re meant to #soothe, but they never do.
Probably because Nanna’s been dead a while. #vss365
a baby girl is sitting on a couch with her eyes closed and making a funny face .
ALT: a baby girl is sitting on a couch with her eyes closed and making a funny face .
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January 31, 2026 at 1:07 PM
My pony always sensed danger long before I did. Knew when the landowner was about to give chase or a storm was closing in. She’d carry me off at lightning speed.
She’s long since passed. But sometimes I still hear it. That rhythmic #thrum of hooves. A warning.
And I run. #vss365
She’s long since passed. But sometimes I still hear it. That rhythmic #thrum of hooves. A warning.
And I run. #vss365
a black and white drawing of a horse running in the snow
ALT: a black and white drawing of a horse running in the snow
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January 30, 2026 at 5:13 PM
We Drs are trained to #obfuscate with our handwriting. It prevents lawsuits, apparently.
Side effect: everything I write looks the same.
Yesterday I wrote “Sertraline 50mg” in my wife’s card, & “I love you” on a prescription.
Luckily my wife couldn’t tell.
But the pharmacist is blushing. #vss365
Side effect: everything I write looks the same.
Yesterday I wrote “Sertraline 50mg” in my wife’s card, & “I love you” on a prescription.
Luckily my wife couldn’t tell.
But the pharmacist is blushing. #vss365
a woman is smiling and looking at the camera .
ALT: a woman is smiling and looking at the camera .
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January 29, 2026 at 2:14 PM
We Drs are trained to #obfuscate with our handwriting. It prevents lawsuits, apparently.
Side effect: everything I write looks the same.
Yesterday I wrote “Sertraline 50mg” in my wife’s card, & “I love you” on a prescription.
Luckily my wife couldn’t tell.
But the pharmacist is blushing. #vss365
Side effect: everything I write looks the same.
Yesterday I wrote “Sertraline 50mg” in my wife’s card, & “I love you” on a prescription.
Luckily my wife couldn’t tell.
But the pharmacist is blushing. #vss365
I wake up on my 50th birthday and feel different.
In fact, I don’t recognise the face in the mirror. This woman is a stranger. Old. Scary.
My bottom lip begins to #quiver.
But hers doesn’t.
#vss365
In fact, I don’t recognise the face in the mirror. This woman is a stranger. Old. Scary.
My bottom lip begins to #quiver.
But hers doesn’t.
#vss365
a cartoon drawing of a broken mirror with a silver handle
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a broken mirror with a silver handle
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January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
He was certain her anger would #wane. “She’ll come round,” he told his mates. “She always does.”
But this time the moon sets & doesn’t rise. He steps outside into darkness, the world tilting on its axis as a tidal wave thunders towards him. #vss365
But this time the moon sets & doesn’t rise. He steps outside into darkness, the world tilting on its axis as a tidal wave thunders towards him. #vss365
a black and white image of a full moon
ALT: a black and white image of a full moon
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January 27, 2026 at 8:12 PM
If I imbue every moment with meaning, like someone on the #cusp of change, then today will be the day.
The pale sky is a hopeful blank page, the birdsong an overture. The wind slaps my face. “Pay attention. You’ll remember this day!”
Then I go home to await the email… #vss365
The pale sky is a hopeful blank page, the birdsong an overture. The wind slaps my face. “Pay attention. You’ll remember this day!”
Then I go home to await the email… #vss365
a close up of a person 's hand with black nail polish on their nails .
ALT: a close up of a person 's hand with black nail polish on their nails .
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January 26, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Any minute now, they’re going to stop this simulation, drop us back in 1999, and say, “Ok folks, if we’re not careful, that’s how it’s all gonna pan out.”
And we’ll say, “Thank God that was all a #ruse,” switch Baywatch on, and wonder why the rest of our lives are tinged with déjà vu. #vss365
And we’ll say, “Thank God that was all a #ruse,” switch Baywatch on, and wonder why the rest of our lives are tinged with déjà vu. #vss365
a poster for baywatch shows a man on the beach and says wait a minute
ALT: a poster for baywatch shows a man on the beach and says wait a minute
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January 25, 2026 at 4:06 PM
My mum unwraps the silky underwear, eyebrows raised.
My boyfriend goes crimson. “That wasn’t meant for you,” he stutters.
Dad coughs. “Ah, that’s a Freudian #slip.”
“How do you know?” Mum says.
“Funny story. I bought you one, but accidentally...”
Mum glares at him. “Who?” #vss365
My boyfriend goes crimson. “That wasn’t meant for you,” he stutters.
Dad coughs. “Ah, that’s a Freudian #slip.”
“How do you know?” Mum says.
“Funny story. I bought you one, but accidentally...”
Mum glares at him. “Who?” #vss365
a close up of a brown satin cloth with waves
ALT: a close up of a brown satin cloth with waves
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January 24, 2026 at 3:26 PM
“We can’t believe it, can we Tony? We always bring the weather with us.”
We laugh nervously.
The manager stares.
“This resort is a sun-drenched paradise. Then you arrive & we get… what you call this?”
“ #Drizzle!” we chime.
He clicks his fingers.
“Security! Taxi for 2. To the airport.” #vss365
We laugh nervously.
The manager stares.
“This resort is a sun-drenched paradise. Then you arrive & we get… what you call this?”
“ #Drizzle!” we chime.
He clicks his fingers.
“Security! Taxi for 2. To the airport.” #vss365
a painting of a fence in the rain with the letters bk visible
ALT: a painting of a fence in the rain with the letters bk visible
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January 23, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Carol’s colleagues released a balloon for her retirement, a symbolic “ #unmooring” from work. It’s been snagged on a tree ever since.
Now a bird flies off with it. “Time to move on?” says Ian.
It squawks at a passer-by.
Carol narrows her eyes.
Something about that walk... #vss365
Now a bird flies off with it. “Time to move on?” says Ian.
It squawks at a passer-by.
Carol narrows her eyes.
Something about that walk... #vss365
a black and white bird is flying in the air
ALT: a black and white bird is flying in the air
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January 22, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Carol’s colleagues released a balloon for her retirement, a symbolic “ #unmooring” from work. It’s been snagged on a tree ever since.
Now a bird flies off with it. “Time to move on?” says Ian.
It squawks at a passer-by.
Carol narrows her eyes.
Something about that walk... #vss365
Now a bird flies off with it. “Time to move on?” says Ian.
It squawks at a passer-by.
Carol narrows her eyes.
Something about that walk... #vss365
Every time a reader folds a page corner, or worse still, #bends the spine of a book, the author feels it.
Someone somewhere has just dog-eared my debut novel.
I shiver. And again.
I sigh.
I’m grateful for the readership. Truly. But what’s wrong with a bookmark? #vss365
Someone somewhere has just dog-eared my debut novel.
I shiver. And again.
I sigh.
I’m grateful for the readership. Truly. But what’s wrong with a bookmark? #vss365
a person is holding an old book with a camera in the background ..
ALT: a person is holding an old book with a camera in the background ..
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January 21, 2026 at 7:39 PM
We lie on the grass watching a huge cloud #loom on the horizon.
You see a butterfly.
I see a monster.
As it draws nearer, you smile. I run.
You call after me, “See!”
You’re right. It *is* a butterfly. Just… on a monster’s nose.
I’ll miss you & your rosy outlook... #vss365
You see a butterfly.
I see a monster.
As it draws nearer, you smile. I run.
You call after me, “See!”
You’re right. It *is* a butterfly. Just… on a monster’s nose.
I’ll miss you & your rosy outlook... #vss365
a national geographic photo of a cloudy sky with mountains in the background
ALT: a national geographic photo of a cloudy sky with mountains in the background
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January 20, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I stand aside while everyone throws roses into my mother-in-law’s grave.
We never pretended to like each other.
When the mourners suddenly #veer left, I look up. A spray of roses is flying back out.
I catch it.
A cackle echoes from the depths of the grave. “Unlucky!” #vss365
We never pretended to like each other.
When the mourners suddenly #veer left, I look up. A spray of roses is flying back out.
I catch it.
A cackle echoes from the depths of the grave. “Unlucky!” #vss365
a group of men in suits are standing in front of a wreath
ALT: a group of men in suits are standing in front of a wreath
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January 19, 2026 at 11:28 AM
My new neighbourhood is so peaceful. I drift off to the soft #murmur of neighbours’ chatter.
“Don’t relax to that,” says Mrs Patel the next day. “We’re sworn to silence after dark. That’s not us you’re hearing. It’s The Murmur.”
Night falls. And now it whispers my name. #vss365
“Don’t relax to that,” says Mrs Patel the next day. “We’re sworn to silence after dark. That’s not us you’re hearing. It’s The Murmur.”
Night falls. And now it whispers my name. #vss365
a dark blue background with a few lines of light coming out of it
ALT: a dark blue background with a few lines of light coming out of it
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January 18, 2026 at 7:15 PM
It’s a housing estate now. But I can still see the #dappled light playing on your face when this was all woodland.
“The spirit of this place lives on,” says the developer.
“It’s gone,” I whisper.
“Us too,” you whisper back.
“I feel it,” someone in the crowd says. #vss365
“The spirit of this place lives on,” says the developer.
“It’s gone,” I whisper.
“Us too,” you whisper back.
“I feel it,” someone in the crowd says. #vss365
a woman in a white dress walks through a dark forest
ALT: a woman in a white dress walks through a dark forest
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January 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I knew this positivity diary would fail.
Once, I won a prize & tried to #sear the moment into my mind. But all I recall now is having a headache.
Sure enough, all the good entries have evaporated.
So my therapist tries some affirmations instead.
Her mouth’s moving but there’s no sound… #vss365
Once, I won a prize & tried to #sear the moment into my mind. But all I recall now is having a headache.
Sure enough, all the good entries have evaporated.
So my therapist tries some affirmations instead.
Her mouth’s moving but there’s no sound… #vss365
a book is opened to a page that says " i know that i owned them "
ALT: a book is opened to a page that says " i know that i owned them "
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January 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM
They looked exactly the same as they did 30 yrs ago when they were first married.
The vow-renewal speeches were #heartfelt. You could tell because they said so. They had to. Their faces couldn’t say it.
The guests looked surprised. They always did these days.
Lovely pics though! #vss365
The vow-renewal speeches were #heartfelt. You could tell because they said so. They had to. Their faces couldn’t say it.
The guests looked surprised. They always did these days.
Lovely pics though! #vss365
a barbie doll is being held by a man in a white dress .
ALT: a barbie doll is being held by a man in a white dress .
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January 15, 2026 at 3:10 PM
They looked exactly the same as they did 30 yrs ago when they were first married.
The vow-renewal speeches were #heartfelt. You could tell because they said so. They had to. Their faces couldn’t say it.
The guests looked surprised. They always did these days.
Lovely pics though! #vss365
The vow-renewal speeches were #heartfelt. You could tell because they said so. They had to. Their faces couldn’t say it.
The guests looked surprised. They always did these days.
Lovely pics though! #vss365
Ex-Superintendent Carol sighed. Her books stood upright on the shelf, neatly sandwiched between the book ends that were her retirement gift.
Now it was Carol who was #wonky.
“You should relax & read those,” said Ian from the armchair.
Carol could think of a better use for those book ends… #vss365
Now it was Carol who was #wonky.
“You should relax & read those,” said Ian from the armchair.
Carol could think of a better use for those book ends… #vss365
a stack of books on a white shelf with a blurred image in the background
ALT: a stack of books on a white shelf with a blurred image in the background
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January 14, 2026 at 7:33 PM