30. Swole Lizards

Nora lives in the desert, where there are lots of little critters running around. And the lizards? They’re always trying to get swole. 

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INTRO MUSIC

My office window faces the backyard. It’s not even the best view of the backyard, but it’s A View. So, I get to see a blue sky nearly every day, because it’s usually sunny here in Phoenix, Arizona. I get to see my lovebirds when they stop by. And I get to see the little lizards that live in a lot of yards out here. I love these lizards so much. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Minnesota and we don’t really get a lot of like creepy crawly things unless it’s a centipede the size of my hand, which is why I could never go in my basement growing up. Because once you see a centipede the size of your hand, you’re not going back in the basement. It doesn’t matter if it’s partially finished, you know what is down there. 

But back to these lizards. I once saw one in our kitchen that was smaller than my thumbnail. Smaller than my thumbnail! I have a pretty big thumbnail, but still, that’s a pretty small lizard. It was on the kitchen floor and our dog was sniffing at it and it was so still I thought it was dead, but then when I got the dog away, it sprang to life and got the heck out of there. And I still think of her, wherever she is. I hope she’s okay. 

Even if you’re not a lizard person, my husband is not, he’s terrified of reptiles, you have to think these things are cute. Because they are, they are objectively cute. They’re so fragile and they are so elegant, and whenever we see one we freak out like they’re not one of the most common animals in our neighborhood. In our city. In our climate.

When I’m working and staring out the window, there will always be one that is hanging out at the top of our cement block wall in the backyard, just soaking up the sun. That’s what lizards do. And they do this funny little thing, where out of nowhere, they’ll start doing pushups. It’s so funny to me. And then they’ll stop quickly. And then they’ll start again. And then they’ll stop. 

And it makes me so happy when I see it. It makes me so happy. I think, good for you. Good for you bulking up! Working out. And then today I was bored enough that I typed into Google why they do this, and apparently it’s a very popular search term because I searched “why do lizards do push ups” but other people searched:

What does it mean lizard push up.

Why lizard push ups.

Is it true lizards communicate through push-ups.

Lizard [laughs] this is my favorite one. This is my favorite one. Lizard push-ups benefits.

Lizard push up benefits! You want to know why they do pushups? I’ll tell you why! Even though you probably already know why. Yes they’re communicating. Yes it has benefits. It makes them feel better! 

Male lizards do push-ups because they’re trying to assert themselves. Maybe they’re trying to defend their territory – which is my wall – from rivals, maybe I’m the rival. Maybe they’re trying to attract mates by showing off their sweet little bellies. It makes them look bigger and more intimidating and this is so cute to me! Because it’s not just us humans feeling insecure, it’s not just us, it’s cute little lizards, too! It’s actually every animal! I don’t want to paint with a wide brush, maybe there’s an animal out there who is very secure and unbothered and does not feel the need to defend their little patch of sun, but most of us do sometimes feel threatened and want to do a little pushup to show the world what we’re worth and you know what??? It all feels so important, it feels so vital, until you see a little lizard doing it and then you think, oh you silly little buddy, you’re fine! You’re good!

So today’s message is for all the little lizards listening, to all the little lizards inside of us, you are enough! You’re good. You’re good, you do not need to defend your little patch of sun. There is more sun. But, if you are a real lizard and you hear this, keep doing pushups because I think it is so cute. 

OUTRO MUSIC

I’m Nora McInerny, and it’s going to be okay. The IT changes everyday, and it’s different for all of us. I want to hear your okay thing. You can call or email us at 612.568.4441 

It’s Going To Be Okay is a production of feelings & co. Today’s episode was written and recorded by Nora McInerny at McInerny Studios. Our team is Megan Palmer, Marcel Malekbu, Jordan Turgeon, Claire McInerny, Larissa Witcher and Eugene Kidd.