tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post2358153147881559006..comments2024-03-18T22:57:04.768-04:00Comments on HEY NATALIE JEAN: LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT // A 2014 ESSAYNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698804808966036834noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-55804722795763342102014-05-07T09:45:05.033-04:002014-05-07T09:45:05.033-04:00I found this post a few months ago when I was rese...I found this post a few months ago when I was researching more on PMDD. I think I've always had it but just haven't had a name for it or a diagnosis until recently. Your words struck me so strongly because I recognized myself in your experiences. I quickly forwarded it to my people and received such amazing warmth and support because finally I could share with them why I do the things I do. One of my darling friends even sent me a necklace etched with "let your heart be light", as you can imagine, I wear it often.<br /><br />I wanted to come back and share something amazing that is working so well for me. I'm not trying to sell you anything, just tell you my experience. The Whole30 program has completely changed my life. I no longer have the daily rollercoaster of emotion, I'm sleeping like a champ, my acne is gone, and for the first time in my life I'm not looking to the future with dread. I actually feel hopeful for what's next. I always considered myself a pessimist but I think that was the PMDD talking - I may actually be an optimist! <br /><br />Whole30 may work for you and it may not. There's just a book (It Starts With Food) to buy and after that, you're on your own to make it work for you. It has been the best $10 investment of my life. In fact, I told my mom all this the other day and she said it's the best Mother's Day gift she could have ever hoped for. I guess I forgot how much our loved ones suffer as they watch us struggle.<br /><br />I sincerely hope this finds you well and thriving, from one PMDD sister to another. xxoorachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12896271140656290440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-56266542554836857322014-05-07T09:34:55.514-04:002014-05-07T09:34:55.514-04:00I found this a few months back as I was researchin...I found this a few months back as I was researching PMDD. I know I've had it for a very long time but haven't had a name or diagnosis for it until recently. It is a nasty, destructive thing. You writing was like reading a page from my journal (except you string sentences together in a much more beautiful fashion!) and it was so nice to not feel alone. It struck me so much that I shared it with the closest people in my life. One of my darling friends sent me a necklace etched with "let your heart be light" and I wear it often. <br /><br />For happier news I want to share what is currently working for me. I am doing the Whole30 program and on Day 18 I can say that I feel incredible - and more importantly - I feel hopeful. I'm not looking with dread toward the future, I'm looking with optimism. I always considered myself a pessimist but that was the PMDD, I may actually be an optimist! After the first few days of cravings and withdrawals I noticed a difference in my mood, sleep pattern, and skin. I now know that I can control my PMDD by what I decide to put in my body - my PMDD no longer controls me.<br /><br />I hope this finds you well and thriving, from one PMDD sister to another. xxoorachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12896271140656290440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-86460425136932840192014-04-07T17:42:54.660-04:002014-04-07T17:42:54.660-04:00Natalie!! This is exactly the message I needed to ...Natalie!! This is exactly the message I needed to read today! I just weaned my baby from nursing last month and the last two weeks hit my like a ton of bricks! I didn't even think to make the connection to the two. I haven't had an actual period in like two years because I've been pregnant, nursing, IUD, ect. But as a teenager I had some pretty serious PMDD and I'm starting to feel like perhaps thats where my sudden depression is stemming from! Not to mention, I needed the reminder that we can choose to rise above our challenges! Thank you for continuing to be open and honest and real! Love reading your words! <br />XOXOSallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392096370519994269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-28217496868366937052014-02-23T14:48:20.624-05:002014-02-23T14:48:20.624-05:00this is beautiful. it is unbelievably beautiful. this is beautiful. it is unbelievably beautiful. Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01308948328911900321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-78140014776376620022014-01-21T14:55:42.497-05:002014-01-21T14:55:42.497-05:00Hell yeah! I'm behind on blogs so I just got t...Hell yeah! I'm behind on blogs so I just got to this post. But it's an invigorating one. Thank you for sharing your struggles. It somehow, in some weird way, gives us all a little bit more strength.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-21302145066008746462014-01-16T11:36:54.276-05:002014-01-16T11:36:54.276-05:00Natalie, this was the best blog post in a while. ...Natalie, this was the best blog post in a while. I love your stream-of-consciousness. I hope 2014 treats you well!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05918070851461132930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-27966518259904412522014-01-14T08:38:43.518-05:002014-01-14T08:38:43.518-05:00"there are so, so, so many things i can't..."there are so, so, so many things i can't control. life is a control freak's worst nightmare. i can't control my hormones. i can't control my body. i've never been able to, why is this always surprising to me?! but i can control my self. my spirit. i can control the energy i put out into the universe. i can control my heart."<br />You just put in to words something I have been realising, accepting and feeling more often for the past year or so. <br />This was such a heartfelt, wonderful essay - the kind that reminds you why you're blogging and why it pays off to open yourself up and just be honest!<br />Also, Frozen is a wonderful film with plenty for us adults to take from it. I love that you referenced that.<br />I wish you Holbrooks a very wonderful 2014, with more laughter than all the pain and strife.<br />Lou xxxxxxxLouLou in Parishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17594166356861813187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-35956833915641648182014-01-14T08:37:52.554-05:002014-01-14T08:37:52.554-05:00"there are so, so, so many things i can't..."there are so, so, so many things i can't control. life is a control freak's worst nightmare. i can't control my hormones. i can't control my body. i've never been able to, why is this always surprising to me?! but i can control my self. my spirit. i can control the energy i put out into the universe. i can control my heart."<br />You just put in to words something I have been realising, accepting and feeling more often for the past year or so. <br />This was such a heartfelt, wonderful essay - the kind that reminds you why you're blogging and why it pays of too open yourself up and just be honest!<br />Also, Frozen is a wonderful film with plenty for us adults to take from it.<br />I wish you Holbrooks a very wonderful 2014, with more laughter than all the pain and strife.<br />Lou xxxxxxxLouLou in Parishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17594166356861813187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-89603339575142422052014-01-13T01:32:39.204-05:002014-01-13T01:32:39.204-05:00So glad I read this... I've always lived by th...So glad I read this... I've always lived by this type of motto. "live the little things." "choose happiness." you're in charge of how you're going to decide to be when you wake up! Thanks for sharing friend....Brandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13632263947770464886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-10319706494710928522014-01-11T17:34:47.557-05:002014-01-11T17:34:47.557-05:00also, check out the book Hormone Hell to Hormone W...also, check out the book Hormone Hell to Hormone Well!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02094767115652536279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-56396429081070352712014-01-09T19:31:48.898-05:002014-01-09T19:31:48.898-05:00absolutely beautiful post. perfect theme for 2014....absolutely beautiful post. perfect theme for 2014. have you heard of ali edwards' one little word? thought i'd point it out in case you are interested in documenting your theme throughout the year. http://aliedwards.com/shop/one-little-word-2014 this is my second year participating and i have loved it. (normally you choose a word - mine is TODAY. but a phrase would work.) i know you're a busy lady but just thought this might be up your alley... if not, i know you'll rock your 2014 theme all the same. :)<br /><br />thank you for continuing to so candidly share your life with strangers on the internet. i hope all the good vibes you put out into the world are reflecting back on you and your family too. wishing you a year full of light, happiness, and love.Skye Harmonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17510737267511925972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-40692284724719172222014-01-08T09:15:00.257-05:002014-01-08T09:15:00.257-05:00Thank you for writing about PMDD - I don't hav...Thank you for writing about PMDD - I don't have it (that I know of) but I am in the mental health field and people need to know it's a real thing!!! Wishing you many blessings in 2014.Becklesnwuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09354514231811964904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-81475201946425866472014-01-08T02:27:10.614-05:002014-01-08T02:27:10.614-05:00I love his little jacket its uber cute.I love his little jacket its uber cute.Mel Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776973951485317001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-62556490188828821582014-01-07T18:54:24.368-05:002014-01-07T18:54:24.368-05:00You write so honestly and beautifully. So many go...You write so honestly and beautifully. So many good truths and reminders. Thank you. Fun to know you're in Portland now! I live in Newberg now but was (and still am) a Portlander at heart. = )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-78418198444711665592014-01-07T17:39:38.363-05:002014-01-07T17:39:38.363-05:00"i've always believed that every new brea..."i've always believed that every new breath is a new chance to choose happiness... happiness is a choice. it isn't a place or a set of conditions, it is a fight that you take on and then take on again, every single day. you can't let yourself forget to choose to be happy." SO TRUE.<br /><br />Your words have truly resonated with me, Natalie. Thank you for sharing your heart and your spirit. I am making "let your heart be light" my personal mantra as well... it has given me the strength to turn a not-so-good situation into something positive and fulfilling. <br /><br />Thank you again and best wishes to you in the new year!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-49452525416026271332014-01-07T12:29:23.254-05:002014-01-07T12:29:23.254-05:00"...there are so, so, so many things i can..."...there are so, so, so many things i can't control. life is a control freak's worst nightmare. i can't control my hormones. i can't control my body. i've never been able to, why is this always surprising to me?! but i can control my self. my spirit. i can control the energy i put out into the universe. i can control my heart."<br /><br />Thank you, Thank you for writing this post. I had a horrible reaction to a hormonal birth control earlier in 2013 and my body is still recovering. Almost 6 months later, I'm still having crazy mood swings, my skin will never be the same, and its produced an insane anxiety that I can't seem to get under control. This post was exactly what I needed to read at the dawning of this new year. "I can't control my body, but I can control my spirit." Praying for your healing as well.<br />jillrumannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09999899235231044517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-14526049118718431082014-01-07T00:40:16.835-05:002014-01-07T00:40:16.835-05:00When I was younger I had weird stages of happiness...When I was younger I had weird stages of happiness and then two seconds later I would feel not so happy anymore (to say the least). So one day there was a doctor who diagnosed me with cyclothymia (which is a fancy word for saying you suffer mood swings constantly but not as badly to be considered bipolar). Anywho, once I discovered that word I started to investigate a whole lot about it to the point that I made a whole thesis about it and during my investigation I discovered an amazing book that made me understand what I had and with that knowledge I was also suddenly feeling better, because now I knew I was not any psycho, but that my beloved hormones were messing with me. So after that whenever I feel those strange mood swings (which by the way are not that often anymore) I feel slightly better knowing that everything around me is just fine, and only my perception of the world and life is distorted. I hope you get to that point as well and I know hormones are messy. Just keep that in mind whenever you are not feeling well: everything is fine, it is just that your perception of reality is being distorted. ;) Have a happy new year.carlarojasz | artifierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10962388446497382327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-35530550033396022032014-01-06T21:29:03.581-05:002014-01-06T21:29:03.581-05:00Ahhh Natalie, you always outdo yourself with these...Ahhh Natalie, you always outdo yourself with these life essays. This is beautiful. I love your line "life is a control freak's worst nightmare." Amen! Cheers to a new year of God teaching all of us control freaks to chill out and let him work. Praying for that future baby of yours and the highly anticipated book - ahhh can't wait!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16754932080380585070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-64562388169972068012014-01-06T18:03:23.939-05:002014-01-06T18:03:23.939-05:00This is truly lovely, thank you for sharing so muc...This is truly lovely, thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us here. <br /><br />I've worked with a woman in NY, Alisa Vitti, she is amazing. A hormonal guru. Her program FloLiving and her book Woman Code are incredible and she has helped women (like me!) make major changes in their hormonal health, bringing them more sanity and helping them get pregnant. She's worth checking out. If you can work directly with her or one of her coaches I would really recommend it. :) Dr. Sara Gottfried's book, The Hormone Cure, is great too. (I'm a nutrition coach with a thyroid disease, so I've done my fair share of hormonal research, these are great ladies!).<br /><br />You're an inspiration and a beauty, inside and out. I hope this year brings you balanced hormones, babes, and better times. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-32370842201655771782014-01-06T14:58:57.852-05:002014-01-06T14:58:57.852-05:00I am weeping, just weeping, as I read this. It alw...I am weeping, just weeping, as I read this. It always seems to be that the most personal things are also the most universal things, aren't they? Your struggles are different than mine but the feelings are similar. 2013 hurt, a whole lot, and I am praying for all of us that 2014 will bring a little healing. Thank you for your words! I can't wait to be among the first to buy your book!rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382041329858065015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-70541317944784472362014-01-06T11:08:02.293-05:002014-01-06T11:08:02.293-05:00Love it, love it, love it! Thanks for the reminder...Love it, love it, love it! Thanks for the reminder - I needed this today. <br /><br />~BB~https://www.blogger.com/profile/17768890868603258840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-78883083309669256262014-01-05T23:04:59.632-05:002014-01-05T23:04:59.632-05:00As I've been circling around my word for 2014,...As I've been circling around my word for 2014, I kept going back to Light. But I thought no, no, that's not strong enough. And as I've helped dozens of other women (and men) choose their word for 2014 as a life coach, I kept stalling on revealing mine to them. Then I saw this title and thought: it's absolutely strong enough. I have some other contenders: Confidence, Proclamiming, Release.. but Light may just win after all.<br /><br />I'm sure you've tried all of these things, and I know I've posted before, but I'd be remiss not to mention the three things that saved and changed my life: Paradox Process (Chelsea), Ziva Meditation (midtown), and Anne Marie Almirol, an Osteopath in Park Slope. And I mean, any excuse to go to Park Slope, am I right? :) Jokes aside, I truly hope your PMDD slows and softens until it disappears.Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18437528870366919736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-64500345745608276862014-01-05T18:56:25.256-05:002014-01-05T18:56:25.256-05:00This is such a beautiful essay. Everything you wr...This is such a beautiful essay. Everything you write always hits me in the best way, but this is just IT. Carry on Natalie! I know you'll make this year a great one. :)ashleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16993304721511440279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-85951934531900634952014-01-05T02:19:05.202-05:002014-01-05T02:19:05.202-05:00Natalie! No te conozco pero Te Amo! Te deseo un 20...Natalie! No te conozco pero Te Amo! Te deseo un 2014 maravilloso, estoy segura que lo tendras!! <br />Saludos desde Puerto Rico!Dalianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02522923833588460770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-61302886078537871302014-01-04T20:25:48.141-05:002014-01-04T20:25:48.141-05:00lovely!lovely!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02283406888597900825noreply@blogger.com