Nat Locke's Lingering Dread of the Phrase 'Just Go in the Bushes'
Nat Locke, a well-known radio personality, recently shared a poignant reflection on how a simple childhood instruction continues to evoke deep-seated anxiety in her adult life. While spending time at a dog park, she overheard a mother telling her daughter to "just go in the bushes", a phrase that instantly triggered suppressed memories from her youth.
Childhood Road Trips and Unforgettable Instructions
Growing up in rural Australia, Locke's school holidays often involved long car journeys to visit family in places like Bruce Rock and Tambellup. With three children in the vehicle, frequent bathroom requests were inevitable, yet toilets were often scarce, located about 100 kilometers away in any direction. Her father would pull over on the roadside, and the children were instructed to "just go in the bushes" as grain trucks sped past, creating a stressful and memorable experience.
Locke admits she never coped well with this directive, then or now, highlighting that she is not a natural bush pee-er. She points out that for her brothers, the task was simpler due to anatomical differences, but for girls, it presented a more complex and daunting ordeal.
The Challenges of Bush Peeing for Women
Locke details the multifaceted difficulties she faced:
- Finding a bush that provided sufficient privacy in narrow road reserves between gravel shoulders and electric fences.
- Inspecting the ground for hazards such as ant nests, sharp sticks, and venomous snakes like tiger or dugite varieties, which could cause panic and accidents.
- Struggling with the squatting technique, including uncertainty about how to manage clothing without soiling it, a concern that persists to this day.
She notes that no one ever taught her the proper method, leading to muddled attempts with inconsistent results. This lack of guidance has contributed to her ongoing discomfort and aversion to such situations.
Lasting Effects on Adult Life and Preferences
As a result of this childhood trauma, Locke has developed two significant traits in adulthood. Firstly, she actively avoids camping whenever possible, citing the bush peeing issue as a key factor among other objections. Secondly, she has cultivated an impressive ability to hold her bladder, attributing it to a large bladder capacity and strong pelvic floor muscles developed from those long road trips.
In conclusion, Locke firmly rejects the idea of "just going in the bushes", preferring to stay within civilized environments where such dilemmas are avoided. Her story resonates with many who have faced similar childhood challenges, shedding light on the lasting psychological impacts of seemingly minor experiences.
