Sat with Nat

Nat uses self talk for your amusement

natalieh (she/her)

A few weeks back I realized I could not bike to work for a good while. My beloved works from home. I get very anxious on my walk into work.

What can an extrovert who verbally possesses everything to do?

Post your positive self talk on social media! here is an example from Thursday.

Natalie is wearing a blue raincoat with the hood up. Her grey toque with a red and white band pokes out. Her wet brown hair slides down her shoulders.

Honestly, it started back in December posting love notes online during a winter storm while my sweetheart was away for 2 weeks. Then it became a bit of a walking weather report. Then it became the nice words I need to hear to be ok in the morning.

Before the pandemic I’d regularly cry on the walk to work. Sometimes I’d dry heave on my front lawn. I never realized how bad my anxiety was or how much it coloured each day until I got to work from home for a few years.

Going back to the office I stuck to a steady routine, every Wednesday, whether I was needed there or not for 18 months. I needed the practice.

My schedule includes a second day now and I keep working on pairing a self propelled commute with a little pep talk. It really does help.

My friend Yvonne regularly ends our chats with “I love you.” It wraps up our conversations beautifully.

It took me by surprise at first. I grew up in a family culture where “I love you” and hugging were not central to interactions. Turns out I really enjoy those two things quite a bit.

So, I’m glad you are reading this. I love that you care and spend time thinking about fitness and feminism. I think it’s good for both of us. I love you!

Published by natalieh (she/her)

Fat, feminist, 50 yr old mother of 2 adults who loves her high energy life partner of over 30 years. I love moving my body and walk wherever I can. I sometimes ride my road bike, do yoga, lift weights and other shenanigans.

One thought on “Nat uses self talk for your amusement”

  1. I love this for several reasons: 1) You really get the going-to-work-anxiety, which I have too. Things are a bit better now, but I was breathing hard and seized up by the time I walked into my classroom building almost every day after the pandemic. Now I talk a little to myself, too, and take a little break on the ground floor to apply chapstick, take off my coat, and breathe a little before heading into class. 2) what a lovely sweet voice you have! You could talk me into doing or buying just about anything… 🙂 3) If it ain’t raining, it ain’t training… 4) The sweet sign-off– for yourself and all of us. Love you!

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