Gabe Nathan’s Note(s) to Self
by Glenn Holsten
A few months ago, I was speaking with OC87 Recovery Diaries Editor-in-Chief Gabe Nathan about creating something for our site that acknowledged the new year. New Year’s resolutions have always been a tricky thing for me. Unrealized expectations often lead to disappointment and result in me just not feeling great about myself. What message could we share with our audience that could be of some help?
A bit of online hunting led me to many thoughtful articles about this phenomenon. One post in particular, titled “Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health” from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, really resonated with me. I appreciated all of the thoughts featured about self-care but was especially drawn to the second resolution in the list: Be kind to yourself.
Be kind to yourself. Change can be hard and often takes time. Allow yourself to have feelings and forgive yourself for mistakes. You are here and doing your best, and that’s what counts.
This, I thought, is a message I would like to share.
After some brainstorming and with this note as inspiration, Gabe Nathan and I met with a talented crew in a small studio in Philadelphia. Armed with a sheet of plexiglass and a couple hundred sticky notes, we set out to craft a video that could explore Gabe’s personal journey with his inner thoughts that might mean something to our audience. I called “Action!” (as I do), and Gabe improvised a magnificent monologue (as he can do so beautifully) about his journey with negative thoughts, and his experience in trying to change the narrative that he tells himself about himself.
“Note(s) to Self” is the result. I hope it resonates with you. I’m especially grateful to Gabe for offering his own journey as an example from which we can all learn and grow.
Here’s to a new year filled with good health, peace and kindness.
P.S. Gabe Nathan has been a terrific partner in other video adventures for the site. Make sure you check out his suicide prevention efforts with his beloved Herbie the Love Bug, and his efforts to present Our Town, the Pulitzer Prize–winning drama of life in the small village of Grover’s Corners, with the staff of a psychiatric hospital.
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Gabriel Nathan | EDITOR: Glenn Holsten | DESIGN: Leah Alexandra Goldstein | PUBLISHER: Bud Clayman
See Related Recovery Stories: Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health Short Films