Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Longevity.
Better Dead Than Fat
As I was growing up, a fat little girl in a family of fat, short women, I always had the feeling that someone was missing. Someone who was supposed to be there and wasn't. I was surrounded by uncles, great uncles, cousins, my brothers, my parents, great aunts, several grandparents and even my great-grandparents. There was an abundance of extended family, but still, somebody was missing.
By Sarah Sparks9 years ago in Longevity
Why We Need To Stop Looking At Medication Negatively
I have suffered from mental health issues my entire life. In fact, I am certain I suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) even in public school. Unfortunately, in Canada, one cannot receive a mental health diagnosis until after the age of 18 so I was not diagnosed until after reaching adulthood.
By Beth Gibbons9 years ago in Longevity
Expectations
Expectations... We all have them. They're those ideas that float around our mind before being sewn into the soil of our conscious selves. They grow as weeds from this mental earth, strangling our garden of values and beliefs. Even worse, like weeds, they spread rapidly until our emotions and identities have been altered to suit their needs. Expectations... We all have them, but what can we do about it?
By Justin Gignac9 years ago in Longevity
Body Image
I understand that I, as a female, am complicated. I’m going to tell you a little story about my struggle. Now at the age I am I’m more secure in myself about the way I look. I always thought that I truly was ok. I have forgiven myself. My struggle first started in my teenage years. I know a lot of people might say, but you were young. Yes, I was, but I already had started to figure things out. I had curves, had a body was still just me. I won’t go into detail about the next part just know it was bad. I changed after this incident. I wasn’t beautiful to me. I wasn’t perfect. My innocence was gone. I covered my body so no one would look at it. I was ashamed of it. I was ugly, fat, all around not good enough.
By Danyelle Lewinson9 years ago in Longevity
My Invisible Disability
Hi! My name is Chris and I have an invisible disability! When I was 12 years old I was in school, and I made my way down some bleachers when I found that I couldn't move. I collapsed and everyone laughed, I was mortified. I found that it happened every day since then, and it was worse every time. I thought, "It's in my head, I'm fine." So, I kept it a secret from my family, until I was fifteen.
By Chris Leigh9 years ago in Longevity
A Letter to My Period
Dear Periodianna, I could have started this letter with "long time no see," but that would be an outright lie wouldn't it? You just manage to show your face every month and the truth is one month is too short for me. I'm writing this letter to you to tell you how I feel. The relationship we're in is not healthy; I mean, you put so much effort into making this relationship work and the only reason I'm in this relationship is because of my gender status. Don't you get tired? Like seriously? In a normal relationship both parties have to put in effort for it to work. So, since we last saw each other I've been doing some thinking and I've come to the conclusion that you're a freak, a psychopath and a stalker; I mean who visits their "friend" with blood and pain? You have it in your head that being female is enough effort. But there are different kinds of relationship aren't they? And after putting into account both mine and fellow XX chromosomes' experiences I can say this with confidence that you are an UNFRIENDLY FRIEND in other words my ENEMY.
By Ronnie Lowe9 years ago in Longevity
A Pretty Woman's Practical Guide
From the time I was a little girl, having the ability to comprehend upwards to the age of 40 odd, I have been and still am called a pretty girl. Just the other day, while leaving the grocery store with my bags in hand someone that I did not know yelled from across the parking lot “Hey pretty girl, need some help?” While some persons may not say anything complimentary, there are still stares and looks to contend with. I have also gotten the impression that I am sized up on occasion which may or may not be followed up by questions about my nationality, my hair (and whether it is “real”) and/or even my age. It is simply amazing at times that persons become so enthralled by the outside that certain personal questions regarding my physical appearance roll off their tongues before they, apparently, have a chance to think twice about them. This can be awkward to say the least. Frequently and effortlessly becoming the focus of someone’s attention in a moment is something I have become accustomed to my entire life. Many may think that I am being conceited by openly confessing that I have always been called a “pretty girl.” However, there are compelling positive reasons I have chosen to share what I have learned in my journey as a self-proclaimed “pretty girl.” Personally, I have always felt like the old cliché that “beauty is skin deep” are words worth living by. I have prided myself on trying to develop a good heart as I have matured from a pretty girl into what I would refer to as a full blown pretty woman. I would like to provide some practical tips to assist other pretty women on how to stay down to earth.
By Nikao Faith9 years ago in Longevity
Being Diagnosed with a Deadly Disease that the World Deems Your Fault
Waking up to pee, sometimes 10 to 12 times per restless night. Sneaking downstairs to the fridge to indulge myself with bottles upon bottles of water, a few juice boxes, and cans of soda. Not being able to see clearly, everything shortly becoming a fuzz at times despite my 20/20 vision. Sitting in 7th grade pre-algebra class suddenly very confused. Getting unreasonably sick after eating a slice or two of pizza. Having emotional outbursts with no cause. My jeans becoming a little looser, even though my hunger could never be satisfied. Inside, I knew something was wrong, terribly wrong but I couldn't let myself believe that. I was 13, surely these changes were just part of growing up.As with any other Monday morning, I waited for the school bus with my older sister, who was a senior in high school at the time. I complained to her that I wasn't feeling well and that I didn't think I had the energy to play my saxophone in first period band that morning. She told me just to take it easy and maybe go to the nurse if I didn't get better.
By Catherine Rose9 years ago in Longevity
Who I Am
My name is James. I am a 19 year old Canadian guy with too much time on my hands. I struggle with a few different things. I have a type of colorblindness called Protanopia. It is a red/green colorblindness and I can't see the color red. Because I don't see red, either because I don't have red photoreceptors, or they were underdeveloped, I also don't see pink, purple, or orange as they are offshoots of red.
By James Groves9 years ago in Longevity
Making Fun of My Own Trauma
Six days after my 11th birthday, the morning after the Year 6 exams, when my whole class had gone out to an indoor activity thing, (God knows if I can remember the name, not that it matters anymore!) I had the joy of opening the door to two police officers.
By Casey Rose9 years ago in Longevity
