Natalie Reilly-Johnson
@natalierj.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Writer
Mum recalls only 1 phone #number now: our old landline from the 80s. Today she dialled it.
“Yes, she’s here,” she said, passing me the handset.
Instead of a dead line came a child’s voice.
Mine.
“Talk to her like you’re still me,” it said. “That’s when she’s herself.” #vss365o
“Yes, she’s here,” she said, passing me the handset.
Instead of a dead line came a child’s voice.
Mine.
“Talk to her like you’re still me,” it said. “That’s when she’s herself.” #vss365o
a pink telephone with a spiral cord is sitting on a pink table .
ALT: a pink telephone with a spiral cord is sitting on a pink table .
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November 13, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Legend had it if a couple were still happily married on their golden wedding anniversary, fairies would appear.
6 of them rocked up at Jim & Marg’s do.
“Oh! I thought it was a #myth!” I said.
“It is,” whispered a fairy. “They’re miserable as ****, but we love a party!” #vss365
6 of them rocked up at Jim & Marg’s do.
“Oh! I thought it was a #myth!” I said.
“It is,” whispered a fairy. “They’re miserable as ****, but we love a party!” #vss365
a black and white photo of a group of women dancing in a circle in a field .
ALT: a black and white photo of a group of women dancing in a circle in a field .
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November 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Before we start,” says the therapist, “stand against the wall.”
She marks my height with a line.
“We have to #measure outcomes,” she explains.
Afterwards, I feel lighter. And my skirt is longer.
She draws another line, shorter by an inch.
“Excellent progress,” she smiles. #vss365
She marks my height with a line.
“We have to #measure outcomes,” she explains.
Afterwards, I feel lighter. And my skirt is longer.
She draws another line, shorter by an inch.
“Excellent progress,” she smiles. #vss365
a girl in a pink dress is standing next to a table
ALT: a girl in a pink dress is standing next to a table
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November 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
‘To be or not to be?’
That is no longer the question.
Instead, modern #literature declareth it to be:
‘Who the **** is Madeline?’
#vss365
That is no longer the question.
Instead, modern #literature declareth it to be:
‘Who the **** is Madeline?’
#vss365
a woman in a pink top sits at a table with a cup of coffee in her hand
ALT: a woman in a pink top sits at a table with a cup of coffee in her hand
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November 10, 2025 at 10:35 PM
‘To be or not to be?’
That is no longer the question.
Instead, modern #literature declareth it to be:
‘Who the **** is Madeline?’
#vss365
That is no longer the question.
Instead, modern #literature declareth it to be:
‘Who the **** is Madeline?’
#vss365
“Can I leave an extra bin bag outside yours?” asks Pauline.
“Sorry, #law’s the law,” says ex-Superintendent Carol.
In the morning, Carol’s bin bags are ripped open. She checks the CCTV. Pauline’s cat. It stares straight into the camera.
Carol shivers. You can’t trust cat people. Or cats. #vss365
“Sorry, #law’s the law,” says ex-Superintendent Carol.
In the morning, Carol’s bin bags are ripped open. She checks the CCTV. Pauline’s cat. It stares straight into the camera.
Carol shivers. You can’t trust cat people. Or cats. #vss365
a black cat holding a nail file in its paws
ALT: a black cat holding a nail file in its paws
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November 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
He says every #language brings out a different side of him.
English is polite.
French, passionate.
German, precise.
But the one he speaks in his sleep?
I’m too scared to try and translate it.
The hairs on the back of my neck tell me enough. #vss365
English is polite.
French, passionate.
German, precise.
But the one he speaks in his sleep?
I’m too scared to try and translate it.
The hairs on the back of my neck tell me enough. #vss365
a close up of a black background with a gray texture and a few white clouds .
ALT: a close up of a black background with a gray texture and a few white clouds .
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November 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
We buried a time capsule in #history class years ago. I wrote a list of all our names.
Today they dug it up. The names of everyone who’s since died are crossed out.
All but mine.
#vss365
Today they dug it up. The names of everyone who’s since died are crossed out.
All but mine.
#vss365
a close up of a man 's face with the words oops written on it
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the words oops written on it
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November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
There’s a certain irony in a #geography field trip about how humans impact the Earth, ending with pupils leaving their litter on a mountain top.
The mountain quietly quakes in recognition. Just enough to throw a couple of them off.
Lesson learned: impact goes both ways. #vss365
The mountain quietly quakes in recognition. Just enough to throw a couple of them off.
Lesson learned: impact goes both ways. #vss365
a view of a mountain range covered in clouds
ALT: a view of a mountain range covered in clouds
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November 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
There’s a certain irony in a #geography field trip about how humans impact the Earth, ending with pupils leaving their litter on a mountain top.
The mountain quietly quakes in recognition. Just enough to throw a couple of them off.
Lesson learned: impact goes both ways. #vss365
The mountain quietly quakes in recognition. Just enough to throw a couple of them off.
Lesson learned: impact goes both ways. #vss365
Lily picks up the doll. “When I grow up I wannabe a #famous pop star so I can have a doll made of me.”
“Careful what you wish for,” the pop star thinks. But she doesn’t say it. She can’t, trapped in this doll’s body.
No-one’s even noticed she’s gone from her real one. #vss365
“Careful what you wish for,” the pop star thinks. But she doesn’t say it. She can’t, trapped in this doll’s body.
No-one’s even noticed she’s gone from her real one. #vss365
a close up of a barbie doll wearing a pink dress and earrings .
ALT: a close up of a barbie doll wearing a pink dress and earrings .
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November 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Angela hated school, especially Physical #Education. Memories of being last to be picked for the rounders team still haunted her.
Now, at the reunion, she waits in the shadows, rounders bat in hand.
Who to pick first…? #vss365
Now, at the reunion, she waits in the shadows, rounders bat in hand.
Who to pick first…? #vss365
a black and white photo of a girl holding a bat with the word bad on her shirt
ALT: a black and white photo of a girl holding a bat with the word bad on her shirt
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November 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Angela hated school, especially Physical #Education. Memories of being last to be picked for the rounders team still haunted her.
Now, at the reunion, she waits in the shadows, rounders bat in hand.
Who to pick first…? #vss365
Now, at the reunion, she waits in the shadows, rounders bat in hand.
Who to pick first…? #vss365
Ex-Superintendent Carol crouched by the puddle.
“Judging by the angle of impact, it was flung in frustration,” she said. “2 sugars. Pauline next door.”
“It’s just tea,” Ian sighed.
“I think she saw how much better my roses are doing,” Carol said. “Not just tea. #Domestic victory.”
#vss365
“Judging by the angle of impact, it was flung in frustration,” she said. “2 sugars. Pauline next door.”
“It’s just tea,” Ian sighed.
“I think she saw how much better my roses are doing,” Carol said. “Not just tea. #Domestic victory.”
#vss365
a bunch of red roses against a blue sky with clouds
ALT: a bunch of red roses against a blue sky with clouds
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November 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I’m a bit tipsy as I enter Mystic Meg’s tent.
I gaze into the crystal ball & say, “Ooh, can I have a go? I see a dangerous #creature in your future.”
She narrows her eyes. “ I think that’s just your reflection.”
Maybe so. And she just became even more dangerous. #vss365
I gaze into the crystal ball & say, “Ooh, can I have a go? I see a dangerous #creature in your future.”
She narrows her eyes. “ I think that’s just your reflection.”
Maybe so. And she just became even more dangerous. #vss365
a woman is holding a crystal ball in her hands
ALT: a woman is holding a crystal ball in her hands
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November 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
When Sharon opened “Better Cuts” next door to “Snips,” talking half the customers, the rivalry was rife.
Ex-Superintendent Carol booked into both, “to support both #businesses.”
By winter, she was almost bald. But she knew *everything*. #vss365
Ex-Superintendent Carol booked into both, “to support both #businesses.”
By winter, she was almost bald. But she knew *everything*. #vss365
a woman is standing in front of a hair dryer with the word salon written on it .
ALT: a woman is standing in front of a hair dryer with the word salon written on it .
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November 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
When Sharon opened “Better Cuts” next door to “Snips,” talking half the customers, the rivalry was rife.
Ex-Superintendent Carol booked into both, “to support both #businesses.”
By winter, she was almost bald. But she knew *everything*. #vss365
Ex-Superintendent Carol booked into both, “to support both #businesses.”
By winter, she was almost bald. But she knew *everything*. #vss365
Mr Spook at no.13 always stood by the front door under a strobe light to scare the trick-or-treaters.
He died earlier this year, but Mrs Spook said he’d still do it.
Intrigued, we approach the dead body. He pounces. “Gotcha!”
He faked his own death just for #Halloween… or did he? #vss365
He died earlier this year, but Mrs Spook said he’d still do it.
Intrigued, we approach the dead body. He pounces. “Gotcha!”
He faked his own death just for #Halloween… or did he? #vss365
a scarecrow sits next to a carved pumpkin in the dark
ALT: a scarecrow sits next to a carved pumpkin in the dark
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October 31, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Mr Spook at no.13 always stood by the front door under a strobe light to scare the trick-or-treaters.
He died earlier this year, but Mrs Spook said he’d still do it.
Intrigued, we approach the dead body. He pounces. “Gotcha!”
He faked his own death just for #Halloween… or did he? #vss365
He died earlier this year, but Mrs Spook said he’d still do it.
Intrigued, we approach the dead body. He pounces. “Gotcha!”
He faked his own death just for #Halloween… or did he? #vss365
He always sat in that patch of light, eyes closed, soaking up the last #ray of the day.
I stare at the empty chair.
“He’s probably still sitting there,” my friend says, & pats my back.
As soon as she leaves, I move it into the shade, laughing to myself. That’ll teach him. #vss365
I stare at the empty chair.
“He’s probably still sitting there,” my friend says, & pats my back.
As soon as she leaves, I move it into the shade, laughing to myself. That’ll teach him. #vss365
a man in a cowboy hat is sitting in a blue chair while another man stands behind him .
ALT: a man in a cowboy hat is sitting in a blue chair while another man stands behind him .
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October 30, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I thought the woman walking towards me was beautiful, all sparkling #argent hair & lithe legs.
Until I realised it was my reflection in a shop window. Then she instantly morphed into a lanky grey hag.
If I didn’t have to go home & hide, I’d have asked what sort of crazy glass that was. #vss365
Until I realised it was my reflection in a shop window. Then she instantly morphed into a lanky grey hag.
If I didn’t have to go home & hide, I’d have asked what sort of crazy glass that was. #vss365
a woman is looking out of a window with a reflection of her face
ALT: a woman is looking out of a window with a reflection of her face
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October 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The CEO called it a social #experiment, posing as homeless to test people’s kindness. He’d repay one of them with an unexpected windfall.
When he returned home, his family didn’t recognise him. At the office, another man sat at his desk.
“Experiment? What experiment?” #vss365
When he returned home, his family didn’t recognise him. At the office, another man sat at his desk.
“Experiment? What experiment?” #vss365
a cartoon character holding a cup with the word change on it
ALT: a cartoon character holding a cup with the word change on it
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October 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The CEO called it a social #experiment, posing as homeless to test people’s kindness. He’d repay one of them with an unexpected windfall.
When he returned home, his family didn’t recognise him. At the office, another man sat at his desk.
“Experiment? What experiment?” #vss365
When he returned home, his family didn’t recognise him. At the office, another man sat at his desk.
“Experiment? What experiment?” #vss365
My flatmates talk over me while I’m still playing, something about the computer being ok.
“I prefer Pablo, honey,” she tells him, then switches me off.
As I cut out, I hear those immortal words, “You’re so ****ing special.”
Ugh. #Creep. Please could you stop the noise? #vss365
“I prefer Pablo, honey,” she tells him, then switches me off.
As I cut out, I hear those immortal words, “You’re so ****ing special.”
Ugh. #Creep. Please could you stop the noise? #vss365
I keep failing those “I’m not a robot” tests.
I’m becoming slightly paranoid that I might be an #android.
I try to click on all the cars, but the unborn chicken voices in my head won’t stop.
I just want to drop this computer from a great height, from a great height… #vss365
I’m becoming slightly paranoid that I might be an #android.
I try to click on all the cars, but the unborn chicken voices in my head won’t stop.
I just want to drop this computer from a great height, from a great height… #vss365
the album cover for ok computer by radiohead shows a busy highway
ALT: the album cover for ok computer by radiohead shows a busy highway
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October 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My sisters & I invited a few men to our ‘Dog Days Festival’ that summer.
‘Celebrating the #heliacal rising of Sirius, characterised by heat, madness & hunger?’ one keen scholar asked on arrival.
I locked the gate behind him, my fur already sprouting.
‘Partly,’ I said & howled at the sun. #vss365
‘Celebrating the #heliacal rising of Sirius, characterised by heat, madness & hunger?’ one keen scholar asked on arrival.
I locked the gate behind him, my fur already sprouting.
‘Partly,’ I said & howled at the sun. #vss365
a close up of a wolf 's face with picmix written on the bottom right
ALT: a close up of a wolf 's face with picmix written on the bottom right
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October 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
It was a Halloween tradition for Beth & Ann to watch horror films together.
Halfway through, Beth whispered, “This bit always gets you.” But when she turned, Ann wasn’t there.
#Terror stole her scream as she turned back to the screen… where the monster was carrying Ann away. #vss365
Halfway through, Beth whispered, “This bit always gets you.” But when she turned, Ann wasn’t there.
#Terror stole her scream as she turned back to the screen… where the monster was carrying Ann away. #vss365
a close up of a person with their mouth open .
ALT: a close up of a person with their mouth open .
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October 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Val’s heart raced. The #Martian would be here soon. He’d visited every night this week. She blushed. They sure did things… differently on Mars.
Then Jo called. “Met the new neighbour? Total nutter. Thinks he’s an alien.”
Val froze. Then shrugged. Who cared? “Gotta go!” #vss365
Then Jo called. “Met the new neighbour? Total nutter. Thinks he’s an alien.”
Val froze. Then shrugged. Who cared? “Gotta go!” #vss365
a cartoon of a green alien with a huge head
ALT: a cartoon of a green alien with a huge head
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October 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I look terrified in this old photo, staring at something #unseen behind the photographer.
My skin prickles & instinctively I turn to look behind me.
Someone’s pointing a camera at me. And behind them is an old & scary version of me. I scream. The camera flashes. #vss365
My skin prickles & instinctively I turn to look behind me.
Someone’s pointing a camera at me. And behind them is an old & scary version of me. I scream. The camera flashes. #vss365
a black and white photo of a person holding a camera with a flash on it
ALT: a black and white photo of a person holding a camera with a flash on it
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October 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Team meetings weren’t the same since Pat had left. We all sat around, lethargic.
“She brought so much #energy to the table,” Bob said.
We all sighed. He was right.
Someone else would have to bring the coffee & cakes now.
I looked at the floor. It wasn’t gonna be me. #vss365
“She brought so much #energy to the table,” Bob said.
We all sighed. He was right.
Someone else would have to bring the coffee & cakes now.
I looked at the floor. It wasn’t gonna be me. #vss365
two men are sitting at a desk with their heads down
ALT: two men are sitting at a desk with their heads down
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October 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Gran takes a sip of tea as we sing happy birthday.
Afterwards, the song still ringing in our ears, she puts down the cup & it rattles against the #saucer.
We don’t look. We just talk about the weather, the garden, the cake.
Anything but that tremor and what it might mean. #vss365
Afterwards, the song still ringing in our ears, she puts down the cup & it rattles against the #saucer.
We don’t look. We just talk about the weather, the garden, the cake.
Anything but that tremor and what it might mean. #vss365
a cup of tea sits on a saucer on a counter top
ALT: a cup of tea sits on a saucer on a counter top
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October 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Maria’s husband & his beautiful work colleague are discussing the #atom - attraction, energy, bonds holding things together. Their eyes meet; a chain reaction.
Maria sips her wine & watches.
Could this woman end her marriage?
She crosses her fingers. Oh, she hopes so…
#vss365
Maria sips her wine & watches.
Could this woman end her marriage?
She crosses her fingers. Oh, she hopes so…
#vss365
a woman in a yellow sweater holds a glass of wine
ALT: a woman in a yellow sweater holds a glass of wine
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October 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM