Natalie Reilly-Johnson
@natalierj.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Writer
The mirror shows you what’s around the corner.
I guess it’s there to prevent a #catastrophe, like a family standing in the middle of the road being run over.
But it relies on drivers slowing down upon seeing such an image. Not hitting the accelerator like this… #vss365 #vsspic
I guess it’s there to prevent a #catastrophe, like a family standing in the middle of the road being run over.
But it relies on drivers slowing down upon seeing such an image. Not hitting the accelerator like this… #vss365 #vsspic
September 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The mirror shows you what’s around the corner.
I guess it’s there to prevent a #catastrophe, like a family standing in the middle of the road being run over.
But it relies on drivers slowing down upon seeing such an image. Not hitting the accelerator like this… #vss365 #vsspic
I guess it’s there to prevent a #catastrophe, like a family standing in the middle of the road being run over.
But it relies on drivers slowing down upon seeing such an image. Not hitting the accelerator like this… #vss365 #vsspic
The spider has been spinning an intricate web on the window outside whilst I’ve been finishing off my edits and preparing my query letter.
I press ‘send,” all my painstaking work hanging in the balance, & #yearn for a ‘yes.’
The web flutters in the breeze. I wait. #vss365 #vsspic
I press ‘send,” all my painstaking work hanging in the balance, & #yearn for a ‘yes.’
The web flutters in the breeze. I wait. #vss365 #vsspic
August 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I took a shot of the couple, glued to their phones, for my “Disconnected Lovers” exhibition.
Later, I found my face online, demonic & #malformed as I snapped. Caption: “Girl who photographs strangers instead of talking to her date.”
I wondered why he hadn’t called. #vss365 #vsspic
Later, I found my face online, demonic & #malformed as I snapped. Caption: “Girl who photographs strangers instead of talking to her date.”
I wondered why he hadn’t called. #vss365 #vsspic
August 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I took a shot of the couple, glued to their phones, for my “Disconnected Lovers” exhibition.
Later, I found my face online, demonic & #malformed as I snapped. Caption: “Girl who photographs strangers instead of talking to her date.”
I wondered why he hadn’t called. #vss365 #vsspic
Later, I found my face online, demonic & #malformed as I snapped. Caption: “Girl who photographs strangers instead of talking to her date.”
I wondered why he hadn’t called. #vss365 #vsspic
Jump!
Hear it? Faint beneath the roar of the water #pummelling the rocks.
Not an intrusive thought. A voice. Mine.
I’m stuck on this bridge til I can persuade someone else to jump. Then I’ll be free & they’ll take my place.
Go on. You know you want to. Jump!
#vss365 #vsspic
Hear it? Faint beneath the roar of the water #pummelling the rocks.
Not an intrusive thought. A voice. Mine.
I’m stuck on this bridge til I can persuade someone else to jump. Then I’ll be free & they’ll take my place.
Go on. You know you want to. Jump!
#vss365 #vsspic
August 16, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Jump!
Hear it? Faint beneath the roar of the water #pummelling the rocks.
Not an intrusive thought. A voice. Mine.
I’m stuck on this bridge til I can persuade someone else to jump. Then I’ll be free & they’ll take my place.
Go on. You know you want to. Jump!
#vss365 #vsspic
Hear it? Faint beneath the roar of the water #pummelling the rocks.
Not an intrusive thought. A voice. Mine.
I’m stuck on this bridge til I can persuade someone else to jump. Then I’ll be free & they’ll take my place.
Go on. You know you want to. Jump!
#vss365 #vsspic
“You’re a fake!” I said. You shouldn’t argue with a witch, but none of her spells had worked.
“Go to hell!” she said & I popped up here.
See? This proves my point. No fires. Not so much as a #spider.
“Ooh! Are you here for us to practice on?” says a lady in a pointy hat. #vss365 #vsspic
“Go to hell!” she said & I popped up here.
See? This proves my point. No fires. Not so much as a #spider.
“Ooh! Are you here for us to practice on?” says a lady in a pointy hat. #vss365 #vsspic
August 9, 2025 at 11:36 AM
My sister & I are holding our weekly “ugly club.”
If Mum’s premature death in her beautiful prime taught us anything, it’s that life’s too short. We #scowl, squint & smile. We drink & smoke. Everything she warned us about.
And ironically, we burn bright as ever. #vss365 #vsspic
If Mum’s premature death in her beautiful prime taught us anything, it’s that life’s too short. We #scowl, squint & smile. We drink & smoke. Everything she warned us about.
And ironically, we burn bright as ever. #vss365 #vsspic
August 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Wannabe.
On 4th March 1994, I was an A level student, dragging my platform #heels into town after college to doss about.
If I’d bought Stage magazine instead of a pack of Silk Cut, I could’ve seen this ad & auditioned. Luckily for Emma Bunton, I did not.
A zig a zig ah! #vss365
On 4th March 1994, I was an A level student, dragging my platform #heels into town after college to doss about.
If I’d bought Stage magazine instead of a pack of Silk Cut, I could’ve seen this ad & auditioned. Luckily for Emma Bunton, I did not.
A zig a zig ah! #vss365
July 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I drag the spoon through the ice cream. It reminds me of the fissure that swallows Lois Lane’s car in Superman (1978). In his grief, Superman flies into #space & turns back time to save her
I’d do the same for you if I could. But all I have is ice cream. I shovel it in til I’m numb. #vss365 #vsspic
I’d do the same for you if I could. But all I have is ice cream. I shovel it in til I’m numb. #vss365 #vsspic
June 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
He loved this #liminal space before anyone noticed. It was always such a peaceful scene, just a few friends napping side-by-side at first glance.
He leisurely put his boots back on. There was plenty of time to move on to the next town before anyone called this lot in. #vss365 #vsspic
He leisurely put his boots back on. There was plenty of time to move on to the next town before anyone called this lot in. #vss365 #vsspic
June 21, 2025 at 10:34 AM
After I dumped her, instead of keying my car, she invited me to a barbecue.
Her Dad looked me dead in the eye while grilling a sausage & said, “Would you like to reconsider anything?”
“Maybe just #slash my tyres?” I said.
She squeezed my arm. “No darling.”
The sausages sizzled. #vss365 #vsspic
Her Dad looked me dead in the eye while grilling a sausage & said, “Would you like to reconsider anything?”
“Maybe just #slash my tyres?” I said.
She squeezed my arm. “No darling.”
The sausages sizzled. #vss365 #vsspic
June 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The shadow I’d developed in my vision was like being chased wherever I went by a giant twister.
Then, one day, I passed a pylon & for a moment it looked as though the pylon was standing up to it.
That was the #final time I saw the shadow. The pylon follows me now... #vss365 #vsspic
Then, one day, I passed a pylon & for a moment it looked as though the pylon was standing up to it.
That was the #final time I saw the shadow. The pylon follows me now... #vss365 #vsspic
May 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
He points to the notice board. “My band’s playing tonight.”
The girl in front of us crosses her fingers behind her back. “See you there!”
“That means she’s no intention of going,” my friend says.
I smile. No, that’s the secret sign of the #Narwhal.
“See you there” I whisper back. #vss365 #vsspic
The girl in front of us crosses her fingers behind her back. “See you there!”
“That means she’s no intention of going,” my friend says.
I smile. No, that’s the secret sign of the #Narwhal.
“See you there” I whisper back. #vss365 #vsspic
May 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Something’s off about the world at the moment, Jess is sure of it. Earlier, they passed a sign saying, “Philosophical debate, philosophical debate, philosophical debate…” & started discussing whether we’re living in a simulation like The #Matrix.
And now… she can only think of food. #vss365 #vsspic
And now… she can only think of food. #vss365 #vsspic
May 17, 2025 at 11:19 AM
To the man
who said “Let’s play”
Over at the bar
You’ll regret it later on
When you bear a #scar
It won’t be on your ego
From my pool prowess
Nor a 💔
From charms I don’t possess
I’m just so clumsy
with a cue
However hard I try
That there’s no way
in merry hell
I won’t take out your 👁️ #vss365 #vsspic
who said “Let’s play”
Over at the bar
You’ll regret it later on
When you bear a #scar
It won’t be on your ego
From my pool prowess
Nor a 💔
From charms I don’t possess
I’m just so clumsy
with a cue
However hard I try
That there’s no way
in merry hell
I won’t take out your 👁️ #vss365 #vsspic
May 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“Honestly, Gladys,” he whispers, “will you quit the #echolalia? I know you know all the lines, but I’m trying to listen to the play.”
I stare at his rotting face. “There is no play. This theatre is just ruins now. And so, my dear, are we.”
He laughs & a worm falls out of his mouth. #vss365 #vsspic
I stare at his rotting face. “There is no play. This theatre is just ruins now. And so, my dear, are we.”
He laughs & a worm falls out of his mouth. #vss365 #vsspic
May 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Honestly, Gladys,” he whispers, “will you quit the #echolalia? I know you know all the lines, but I’m trying to listen to the play.”
I stare at his rotting face. “There is no play. This theatre is just ruins now. And so, my dear, are we.”
He laughs & a worm falls out of his mouth. #vss365 #vsspic
I stare at his rotting face. “There is no play. This theatre is just ruins now. And so, my dear, are we.”
He laughs & a worm falls out of his mouth. #vss365 #vsspic
The nightingale arrived on the anniversary of Mum’s death every year. I wrote an annual #newsletter for the bird to take to her, wherever she was, updating her on our lives.
Oh, here it is again now. How did it find me on holiday?
This time it has a letter for me. From my daughter. #vss365 #vsspic
Oh, here it is again now. How did it find me on holiday?
This time it has a letter for me. From my daughter. #vss365 #vsspic
April 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The nightingale arrived on the anniversary of Mum’s death every year. I wrote an annual #newsletter for the bird to take to her, wherever she was, updating her on our lives.
Oh, here it is again now. How did it find me on holiday?
This time it has a letter for me. From my daughter. #vss365 #vsspic
Oh, here it is again now. How did it find me on holiday?
This time it has a letter for me. From my daughter. #vss365 #vsspic