Natalie Reilly-Johnson
@natalierj.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Writer
She kept dropping strange comments into the conversation.
“The kettle’s broken.”
“I saw a blue car today.”
“The apples were bruised.”
He tutted. “Such nonsense.”
But it was #relevant.
It was the code we’d agreed on.
She needed help.
“I’ll fetch the knife,” I whispered. #vss365
“The kettle’s broken.”
“I saw a blue car today.”
“The apples were bruised.”
He tutted. “Such nonsense.”
But it was #relevant.
It was the code we’d agreed on.
She needed help.
“I’ll fetch the knife,” I whispered. #vss365
a woman with a ring on her finger is peeling a red apple
ALT: a woman with a ring on her finger is peeling a red apple
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November 24, 2025 at 11:41 AM
As we waded through the fog, I said, “What a good metaphor for life. Not focusing on distant goals, but taking small, #achievable steps.”
I turned to him, but he’d gone.
“You’re welcome,” whispered the fog. And a world of new options opened up before me, as yet unseen. #vss365
I turned to him, but he’d gone.
“You’re welcome,” whispered the fog. And a world of new options opened up before me, as yet unseen. #vss365
a black and white photo of a cloudy sky with a plane flying through it .
ALT: a black and white photo of a cloudy sky with a plane flying through it .
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November 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
As we waded through the fog, I said, “What a good metaphor for life. Not focusing on distant goals, but taking small, #achievable steps.”
I turned to him, but he’d gone.
“You’re welcome,” whispered the fog. And a world of new options opened up before me, as yet unseen. #vss365
I turned to him, but he’d gone.
“You’re welcome,” whispered the fog. And a world of new options opened up before me, as yet unseen. #vss365
“Of course, there comes a point where my work is done, & progress is no longer even #measurable,” she says in my 12th session.
“How do you know when that’s happened?” I ask.
But she can’t hear me. Can’t even see me anymore.
The next client sits down, squashing me flat. #vss365
“How do you know when that’s happened?” I ask.
But she can’t hear me. Can’t even see me anymore.
The next client sits down, squashing me flat. #vss365
“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 22, 2025 at 10:59 AM
“Of course, there comes a point where my work is done, & progress is no longer even #measurable,” she says in my 12th session.
“How do you know when that’s happened?” I ask.
But she can’t hear me. Can’t even see me anymore.
The next client sits down, squashing me flat. #vss365
“How do you know when that’s happened?” I ask.
But she can’t hear me. Can’t even see me anymore.
The next client sits down, squashing me flat. #vss365
“I’m here with a Pacific porpoise,” said the man.
The volunteers at the animal rescue centre gasped.
“I think you mean #specific purpose,” said Liz, ex-English teacher.
Ex-Sup’t Carol frowned. “What else is he hiding in that tank?”
Dan, ex-Conservationist, sighed. “That’s clearly a dolphin.” #vss365
The volunteers at the animal rescue centre gasped.
“I think you mean #specific purpose,” said Liz, ex-English teacher.
Ex-Sup’t Carol frowned. “What else is he hiding in that tank?”
Dan, ex-Conservationist, sighed. “That’s clearly a dolphin.” #vss365
a dolphin is swimming in the ocean with its mouth open and a bubble coming out of its nose .
ALT: a dolphin is swimming in the ocean with its mouth open and a bubble coming out of its nose .
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November 21, 2025 at 11:18 PM
She couldn’t start anything without hearing it.
Lights.
Camera.
But real life has no director, so she just drifted for years.
Until he came along & whispered: “ #Action.”
She burst into life. Bright, loud, vivacious…
…And kind of annoying.
“Cut,” he said, eventually. #vss365
Lights.
Camera.
But real life has no director, so she just drifted for years.
Until he came along & whispered: “ #Action.”
She burst into life. Bright, loud, vivacious…
…And kind of annoying.
“Cut,” he said, eventually. #vss365
a person is holding a clapper board that says cats on it
ALT: a person is holding a clapper board that says cats on it
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November 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The farmer opened the forbidden forest that Christmas.
Crowds marched in, sizing up the Christmas tree #options.
“See any you like?” said the farmer.
The trees pointed to a tall man. “That one!”
“Ok,” said the farmer, & hoisted him over his shoulder. “They wanted a real one this year.” #vss365
Crowds marched in, sizing up the Christmas tree #options.
“See any you like?” said the farmer.
The trees pointed to a tall man. “That one!”
“Ok,” said the farmer, & hoisted him over his shoulder. “They wanted a real one this year.” #vss365
a foggy forest with trees that are pink
ALT: a foggy forest with trees that are pink
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November 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM
His mum’s muffled voice is calling him for dinner.
He lifts the headset. No poster on the wall. Oh! He must be in a virtual #reality game within a virtual reality game!
After shooting an incoming enemy, he reaches for the real headset. There isn’t one.
Is that his poster… on the floor? #vss365
He lifts the headset. No poster on the wall. Oh! He must be in a virtual #reality game within a virtual reality game!
After shooting an incoming enemy, he reaches for the real headset. There isn’t one.
Is that his poster… on the floor? #vss365
a black and white photo of the words game over on a television screen .
ALT: a black and white photo of the words game over on a television screen .
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November 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
“And #goal!” She raised her arms and jumped into the air. “Did you see that?” She pointed at the open manhole.
“I did,” her friend replied, “Now do you think you could quit horsing around and help me get rid of rest of him?” She gestured at the remaining pieces of her dismembered husband. #vss365
“I did,” her friend replied, “Now do you think you could quit horsing around and help me get rid of rest of him?” She gestured at the remaining pieces of her dismembered husband. #vss365
November 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
“The trouble with relentless pursuit of goals,” said the therapist, “is you’re never happy. They keep moving.”
“So I should be goal-less?” I say.
“Not exactly. Just sit with how it feels to be exactly where you are now.”
Despair & rage rise in my chest.
I run towards the nearest #goal. #vss365
“So I should be goal-less?” I say.
“Not exactly. Just sit with how it feels to be exactly where you are now.”
Despair & rage rise in my chest.
I run towards the nearest #goal. #vss365
a pink background with the word goals written in blue
ALT: a pink background with the word goals written in blue
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
"Ms. Lee, can I switch seats?" Johnny asked as the other kids rushed out the door for recess, "I'm tired of Billy teasing me."
"I don't have an #issue with that," Ms. Lee replied, "But I do have a question."
"What?"
"Who is Billy?" There was no one with that name on her attendance sheet. #vss365
"I don't have an #issue with that," Ms. Lee replied, "But I do have a question."
"What?"
"Who is Billy?" There was no one with that name on her attendance sheet. #vss365
November 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The councillor beamed. Someone answering a door-to-door? Unheard of!
“Any neighbourhood #issues?” he said.
Carol led him to the study.
Diagrams. Maps on strings. Files labelled: “Ongoing Investigations.”
He bolted.
Ian called after him. “Wait! That was just Volume 1!” #vss365
“Any neighbourhood #issues?” he said.
Carol led him to the study.
Diagrams. Maps on strings. Files labelled: “Ongoing Investigations.”
He bolted.
Ian called after him. “Wait! That was just Volume 1!” #vss365
a person is pressing a doorbell on a door
ALT: a person is pressing a doorbell on a door
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November 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
The #transport begins with a conscious needle gently lowered into your groove
round and round you go, crisp and clear until you crackle with wear
each orbit shorter
as you spin toward your centre
gathering dust and fluff until enough is enough
the needle lifts
silence
you are over.
#vss365
round and round you go, crisp and clear until you crackle with wear
each orbit shorter
as you spin toward your centre
gathering dust and fluff until enough is enough
the needle lifts
silence
you are over.
#vss365
November 15, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The #transport begins with a conscious needle gently lowered into your groove
round and round you go, crisp and clear until you crackle with wear
each orbit shorter
as you spin toward your centre
gathering dust and fluff until enough is enough
the needle lifts
silence
you are over.
#vss365
round and round you go, crisp and clear until you crackle with wear
each orbit shorter
as you spin toward your centre
gathering dust and fluff until enough is enough
the needle lifts
silence
you are over.
#vss365
Reposted by Natalie Reilly-Johnson
“Where are you going?” the man shouted from the back of the ambulance, “You just passed the hospital!”
The ambulance driver turned so the man could see his skeletal face. “I’ve got orders to #transport you someplace else,” he replied. #vss365
The ambulance driver turned so the man could see his skeletal face. “I’ve got orders to #transport you someplace else,” he replied. #vss365
November 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
“Where are you going?” the man shouted from the back of the ambulance, “You just passed the hospital!”
The ambulance driver turned so the man could see his skeletal face. “I’ve got orders to #transport you someplace else,” he replied. #vss365
The ambulance driver turned so the man could see his skeletal face. “I’ve got orders to #transport you someplace else,” he replied. #vss365
I lift the old perfume bottle out of the box of keepsakes and inhale the scent.
Just as I expected, it #transports me back to those hazy summer days.
It’s darker here than I remember, tinged with grey. Faces warped, emotions off. The perfume must have oxidised. #vss365o
Just as I expected, it #transports me back to those hazy summer days.
It’s darker here than I remember, tinged with grey. Faces warped, emotions off. The perfume must have oxidised. #vss365o
a spray bottle with snowflakes coming out of it
ALT: a spray bottle with snowflakes coming out of it
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November 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I lift the old perfume bottle out of the box of keepsakes and inhale the scent.
Just as I expected, it #transports me back to those hazy summer days.
It’s darker here than I remember, tinged with grey. Faces warped, emotions off. The perfume must have oxidised. #vss365o
Just as I expected, it #transports me back to those hazy summer days.
It’s darker here than I remember, tinged with grey. Faces warped, emotions off. The perfume must have oxidised. #vss365o
The feelings of déjà vu make sense now I know I wasn’t born. Not this time around. I was resurrected. A triumph of #science.
They won’t say how I died, but they steer me away from the sea.
It calls to me.
“Don’t fear me,” it says. “I was only helping you escape them.” #vss365
They won’t say how I died, but they steer me away from the sea.
It calls to me.
“Don’t fear me,” it says. “I was only helping you escape them.” #vss365
a large body of water with waves and foam coming out of it
ALT: a large body of water with waves and foam coming out of it
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November 14, 2025 at 1:49 PM
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
media.tenor.com
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
media.tenor.com
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