On this week’s episode of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions, I talk about turning 40 and why a rough week where I struggled with grief and confusion, caused me to hear the words, ‘I am here’.
I explain why, in a number of respects, I’d forgotten that I wasn’t ‘supposed’ to make it to this age based on the prognosis I was given a month before starting Baggage Reclaim twelve years ago.
I talk about how the turnaround I experienced in life led to a few years of being like, ‘Jaysus, I’m alive! Jaysus, I love someone! Jaysus, I’ve become a mother! Jaysus, I’m working for myself’, but that in a way, while I’ve never lost gratitude for these things, I think I did start pushing myself too hard because I wasn’t in that space of remembering that prognosis anymore.
I share why it wasn’t the first time in my life that I overcame a poor prognosis, but also why I must also remember that regardless of this, I do deserve to be here and I don’t need to ‘pay it off’ every day.
I will be away for my 40th and at the time of writing this, I have no idea where I’m going, but just like with life itself, I know I’m going to have a good time. I’ll be updating my Instagram stories for anyone who wants to see where I am and what I’m up to.
Have a great weekend!
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Listener questions can be emailed to podcast AT baggagereclaim DOT com and if there’s a topic you’d love me to talk about, let me know!
Enjoyed listening to the podcast on the way to work.
All the best
Amanda
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:47 pm
Thanks Amanda xx
A Sky
on 28/07/2017 at 8:10 am
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all that you do and the relatable way in which you write for others to become emotionally healthy. I have been reading your site for almost 4 years and am grateful to have found it! I find myself re-reading articles and noticing something new every time I grow a little to understand a different layer (things that sometimes didn’t even make sense/register the first time!) Your emotional resilience and energy/determination to keep at this life thing is an inspiration.
🙂
Rush A
on 28/07/2017 at 8:11 am
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all that you do and the relatable way in which you write for others to become emotionally healthy. I have been reading your site for almost 4 years and am grateful to have found it! I find myself re-reading articles and noticing something new every time I grow a little to understand a different layer (things that sometimes didn’t even make sense/register the first time!) Your emotional resilience and energy/determination to keep at this life thing is an inspiration.
🙂
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:47 pm
Aw, thanks for this lovely message, Rush A. It’s always great to get an insight the difference BR is making. I fall down… but I always get back up. Take care of you xx
GaL
on 28/07/2017 at 10:38 am
Happy Birthday Nathalie.
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:46 pm
Thanks GaL xx
Yannie
on 28/07/2017 at 12:31 pm
Happy birthday, Natalie! Rock on!
(Wish I wouldn’t have an appointment soon cause I’m really looking for to listen to the podcast.)
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:45 pm
Thank you Yannie. I hope you enjoyed the show xx
Dee
on 29/07/2017 at 6:35 pm
Happy birthday Natalie! You are doing such great work in this world, and are such an inspiration. You deserve every good thing that comes your way and more. Here’s to another decade of profound joy, happiness, success, and togetherness. Thank you again for everything.
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:45 pm
Aw, thank you Dee! Beaming here xx
G.G.S.
on 01/08/2017 at 4:38 am
Happy Birthday!
Wish you many more and good health. You’re an inspiration.
NATALIE
on 10/08/2017 at 10:45 pm
Thank you G.G.S xx
Karen
on 24/08/2017 at 1:10 am
Happy Birthday, Nat! You think 40 is old? I have CDs and jeans older than you! It gets more comfortable in your skin after age 50, I promise. And after 55, the skin gets so baggy it’s like wearing sweats. Super comfy.
Sarah
on 24/09/2017 at 8:03 am
Natalie, I’m one year behind you and feeling more nervous about this next birthday than any other one – ever. I’m glad you got there first and conquered the whole being 40 thing, so I have hope now. 🙂
Like you, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in my 20s and given a terrible prognosis. The whole thing was extremely traumatic. I’ve been doing great though and have been in what appears to be full remission for many years (knock on wood). Hearing your thoughts on this was really interesting for me. I appreciate your willingness to share. Your work has helped me so much and continues to do so!
Caitlin Lewis
on 12/10/2017 at 10:31 pm
Hi Natalie,
Happy (Belated!) 40th Birthday!! 🙂
I am a longterm listener / reader of your Baggage Reclaim articles, podcast and books. All have helped me alot and given me clarity on my relationship patterns and unavailability… thank you so much <3
I was wondering if you might consider sharing how you made yourself well from your autoimmune condition? I would love to hear more about this as I also have an autoimmune condition and what you have said about the link between your physical and emotional health (your eye!) fascinates me. I know you are a big advocate for acupuncture, and that you gave up wheat. However if you would feel comfortable to share more about your story, I think it might help listeners who are trying to figure out the mind/body connection in their own health problems…
Many thanks!
Caitlin
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Happy birthday Nat!
Enjoyed listening to the podcast on the way to work.
All the best
Amanda
Thanks Amanda xx
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all that you do and the relatable way in which you write for others to become emotionally healthy. I have been reading your site for almost 4 years and am grateful to have found it! I find myself re-reading articles and noticing something new every time I grow a little to understand a different layer (things that sometimes didn’t even make sense/register the first time!) Your emotional resilience and energy/determination to keep at this life thing is an inspiration.
🙂
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all that you do and the relatable way in which you write for others to become emotionally healthy. I have been reading your site for almost 4 years and am grateful to have found it! I find myself re-reading articles and noticing something new every time I grow a little to understand a different layer (things that sometimes didn’t even make sense/register the first time!) Your emotional resilience and energy/determination to keep at this life thing is an inspiration.
🙂
Aw, thanks for this lovely message, Rush A. It’s always great to get an insight the difference BR is making. I fall down… but I always get back up. Take care of you xx
Happy Birthday Nathalie.
Thanks GaL xx
Happy birthday, Natalie! Rock on!
(Wish I wouldn’t have an appointment soon cause I’m really looking for to listen to the podcast.)
Thank you Yannie. I hope you enjoyed the show xx
Happy birthday Natalie! You are doing such great work in this world, and are such an inspiration. You deserve every good thing that comes your way and more. Here’s to another decade of profound joy, happiness, success, and togetherness. Thank you again for everything.
Aw, thank you Dee! Beaming here xx
Happy Birthday!
Wish you many more and good health. You’re an inspiration.
Thank you G.G.S xx
Happy Birthday, Nat! You think 40 is old? I have CDs and jeans older than you! It gets more comfortable in your skin after age 50, I promise. And after 55, the skin gets so baggy it’s like wearing sweats. Super comfy.
Natalie, I’m one year behind you and feeling more nervous about this next birthday than any other one – ever. I’m glad you got there first and conquered the whole being 40 thing, so I have hope now. 🙂
Like you, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in my 20s and given a terrible prognosis. The whole thing was extremely traumatic. I’ve been doing great though and have been in what appears to be full remission for many years (knock on wood). Hearing your thoughts on this was really interesting for me. I appreciate your willingness to share. Your work has helped me so much and continues to do so!
Hi Natalie,
Happy (Belated!) 40th Birthday!! 🙂
I am a longterm listener / reader of your Baggage Reclaim articles, podcast and books. All have helped me alot and given me clarity on my relationship patterns and unavailability… thank you so much <3
I was wondering if you might consider sharing how you made yourself well from your autoimmune condition? I would love to hear more about this as I also have an autoimmune condition and what you have said about the link between your physical and emotional health (your eye!) fascinates me. I know you are a big advocate for acupuncture, and that you gave up wheat. However if you would feel comfortable to share more about your story, I think it might help listeners who are trying to figure out the mind/body connection in their own health problems…
Many thanks!
Caitlin