Thrive RN

Dreams, Cats, and the Threads That Help Us Thrive

Life often feels like a collection of fragmented moments, small and seemingly disconnected. But every so often, we hear a call—soft yet insistent—that reminds us everything is woven together. Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle describe this as the call of the wind-up bird, an invisible force that signals transformation, connection, and awakening. For me, the call resonates in the small rituals I’ve built—making coffee, biking, hearing my cats purr—and in the work I do through ThriveRN, offering mental health resources for nurses and individuals living with chronic illness.

This blog is an exploration of those moments—how dreams, self-love, and connection can help us answer the call of the wind-up bird and find grounding in the complexity of life.

Hearing the Call of the Wind-Up Bird

The wind-up bird in Murakami’s novels is more than a sound; it’s a metaphor for awakening, for seeing the threads that connect us to the world and to ourselves. In Matthew Thiessen’s song Wind Up Bird, the call becomes an invitation to reflect:

“What do I do if I swear I heard / The call of a wind-up bird?”

For me, this call reminds me to pause and pay attention. To hear it is to wake up—not in a dramatic way, but in the subtle moments when you recognize beauty or meaning in the everyday. The purring of my cats, the rhythm of bike tires on the road, or the first sip of coffee—these are my wind-up bird moments. They remind me that even in the chaos of chronic illness and caregiving, there are places of stillness and grounding.

Speaking to Cats: A Quiet Wisdom

In another Murakami novel, Kafka on the Shore, Nakata can speak to cats, uncovering truths that exist just beyond human comprehension. For Murakami, cats represent something more than pets—they are companions, symbols of mystery and intuition, and keepers of liminal spaces.

In my own life, my cats provide a similar comfort. Their steady purring is a kind of conversation, wordless but deeply reassuring. When I’m feeling overwhelmed—by pain, fatigue, or the emotional toll of nursing—their presence pulls me back to the moment. It’s a reminder to breathe, to slow down, and to listen to the quieter rhythms of life.

Cats, like the wind-up bird, offer us a way to reconnect to the things we might otherwise overlook: the simplicity of being present, the grounding power of ritual, and the quiet companionship that doesn’t demand anything of us but love.

Mental Health, Chronic Illness, and the Forests We Navigate

Murakami often writes about forests as spaces of transformation and mystery. In Kafka on the Shore, the forest becomes a place where Kafka confronts his fears and begins to understand his own story. For me, living with chronic illness often feels like navigating an uncharted forest. It’s isolating, filled with unexpected turns, but also full of small discoveries.

Nursing, too, can feel like wandering through a dense forest. The emotional weight of caregiving, coupled with the challenges of living with chronic illness, often leaves little room for self-compassion. But just as Murakami’s forests offer moments of clarity, I’ve found my own spaces of grounding: rituals, connection, and the work I do through ThriveRN, creating resources for those navigating similar paths.

The Rituals That Ground Us

In the midst of chaos, rituals are acts of love that tether us to ourselves. For me, these rituals are simple: brewing coffee, sitting with my cats, or biking and feeling the hum of the road. They are reminders that even in the hardest moments, there are rhythms to return to.

In Matthew Thiessen’s song Daydream, this idea comes alive:

“Whatever I imagine is gonna happen / So, I’m dreaming ’bout you.”

Dreaming, in Thiessen’s world, is an active engagement—a way to reshape reality. For nurses and individuals living with chronic illness, rituals and dreams are essential tools for survival. They create space for healing and help us find moments of joy and connection, even in the midst of difficulty.

Connection and Self-Love: Forest and I’m Gonna Cry

In Forest, Matthew Thiessen sings about Robin Hood and Little John finding their way back to each other after a time of separation:

“Without my Robin Hood, who am I?”

This question feels deeply familiar. Chronic illness and caregiving often challenge our sense of self, leaving us searching for connection and meaning. But the reunion in Forest reminds us that even when we feel lost, we are part of something larger—a web of relationships, rituals, and love that anchor us.

In I’m Gonna Cry, Thiessen explores the vulnerability of asking for help:

“We can mend this in time, I’m codependent / But finding my own sense of self.”

This lyric captures the delicate balance of leaning on others while learning to love ourselves. Self-love, I’ve learned, isn’t about independence at all costs; it’s about creating space for compassion—both for ourselves and for those who walk alongside us.

The Collective Sound of the Universe

The call of the wind-up bird, the purr of a cat, the hum of bike tires on the road—these small, interconnected moments remind me of the collective sound of the universe. They are the threads that tie us to the world and to one another.

Murakami’s characters often navigate loneliness and ambiguity, but they are rarely without connection. The same is true for the nurses and spoonies I work with through ThriveRN. By creating spaces to share stories, access resources, and support one another, we can strengthen the threads that help us thrive.

A Call to Thrive

Answering the call of the wind-up bird means finding beauty in the messiness of life. It means leaning into the small rituals that ground us, the relationships that sustain us, and the dreams that give us hope.

If you’re a nurse, caregiver, or someone living with chronic illness, I hope this blog reminds you to create your own rituals and listen for your own wind-up bird moments. Whether it’s a cup of coffee, the sound of the forest, or the purr of a cat, these small acts of love and connection are what carry us through.

Let’s honor these threads together. What rituals ground you? How do you connect to the collective rhythm of the universe? Share your story, and let’s celebrate the beauty of these connections.

ThriveRN: Resources for Nurses and Spoonies

At ThriveRN, we provide mental health resources for nurses, caregivers, and individuals with chronic illness. Explore our resources, find community, and discover tools to help you answer the call of the wind-up bird. Together, we can mend, dream, and thrive.