Catherine Shannon is a writer in New York City and the author of some of Substack’s most beloved pieces, including “Everyone is numbing out” and this guide to your 20s. She is currently working on her first novel.
#91: Catherine Shannon
Pisces
New York, NY
What does health, or being healthy, mean to you?
Treating myself with respect: body, mind, soul.
How would you describe your current lifestyle?
Work and joy. When it comes to my health, I am focused exclusively on the fundamentals: strength training a few times a week at home, cooking almost all of my meals, sleep, walking, writing, reading, socializing, prayer. I played the “margin game” quite a bit in my twenties — you know, debating the merits of one serum or supplement over another — but getting the big things done is far more deserving of my time and energy, and so much more important. If I can do those things even somewhat consistently, I feel great.
Generally, I am trying to be more present in my day-to-day life, to give myself permission to be happy and to go slower than is comfortable. I am trying to find joy in female embodiment, which has, surprisingly, been easier for me as a new mother than it was before I had a child. I grew my son inside my body, delivered him through my body, and nourished him with my body. How can I needlessly criticize myself, punish myself? It is a crime. So I am trying to shift my perspective, and see exercise, healthy diet, hydration, etc., not as “stuff to be done,” but ways to respect myself.
I grew my son inside my body, delivered him through my body, and nourished him with my body. How can I needlessly criticize myself, punish myself? It is a crime.
There’s this mistaken idea, that I fully believed as a college athlete and pre-baby, that in order for something to be “healthy” it must involve a lot of pain or suffering — the more the better. I realize now how misguided this is. Yes, it’s good to push through a tough workout, for instance, but I notice that when I am warm and kind with myself — meaning I feed myself nourishing foods (good food tastes delicious), take warm baths, do fewer reps with better form, and do not pick at my flaws in the mirror — my whole being responds.
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