Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
A Coloring Book Saved My Life.
In 2016, somebody gave me a coloring book for Christmas. It was an “adult coloring book,” per the centrally-placed text on its front cover; and allegedly, its purpose was to inspire the colorer. Well, I was an inspiration-seeking adult in 2016, so I gave it a good, cursory glance. To my relative unsurprise, I was not overcome with a sense of enlightenment. In fact, I felt nothing—not even an urge to fill in its blank pages with color. So, I chucked it, along with equally undesirable Christmas gifts, into a flat-rate box bound for oblivion.
By Alexandra Corlett5 years ago in Psyche
From Cat’s Cradle to Sculpture: The Path to a Peaceful Being
I can date my love of creating through thread-making way back to the playground game of Cat’s Cradle. The game, played by two or more, involves nothing more than taking a piece of string about 40 inches long and winding it into an open formation – the Cat’s Cradle - around both hands. The formation is then taken, and changed in the process, by the next player. The game continues by passing while changing the intricate shapes, needing concentration and collaboration. The game provides both focus and fun.
By Elaine Ruth White5 years ago in Psyche
Melting away my past
Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends, I’d like to introduce myself to you, as a woman who deals with devastating nightmares and alluring dreams. I long for a version of myself that is embarrassingly happy, fighting for those I love and forcing conversation where it intentionally disregards me. I’m so incredibly embarrassed of my past and the life I existed in, which merely used up space. I won’t get into the nitty gritty of the bad parts, I won’t even tell you what happened near the end, though I’m sure you can guess.
By Abigail Dorothy5 years ago in Psyche
What are the side effects of Cephalexin
What are the side effects of cephalexin? It is actually a prescription medication that is used to treat patients suffering from alcoholism. Most people who take this drug for treating their alcoholism suffer from a withdrawal symptom when they stop taking it. The main effects of Cepahlexin are listed below:
By Jeanmarie Sartwell5 years ago in Psyche
Hidden Costs of Narcissistic Abuse
I am now treating my intuition as my spirit, my belief system, and I believe in myself. I will no longer abandon myself or my beliefs because I don't want to get sick again. My body knew, and I got sick. It started with brain fog, hypothyroidism, breast problems, cysts in the body, heavy menses, and much more. All symptoms...
By Christa Cusack O'Neill5 years ago in Psyche
The Journey of a Lifetime
A few months ago, I came home from a long day and found out that my landlady had decided to kick us out. We were given 30 days notice, not nearly enough time to still work and keep my household afloat, especially working 3 jobs, doing my best to stay on top of my schoolwork at night and still take care of my kids. I have noticed a pattern in the past couple months. Being a survivor of domestic violence and abuse still feels like a struggle at times. Losing one of my jobs recently and immediately having had to replace it to not lose the income, and losing my house at the same time, seems to have pushed me to a mental point where I honestly cannot handle even talking to anyone about it. I hear the same thing from everyone when I try to explain how it makes me feel, the fact that my abusive ex-husband always had a job and house over our heads, and somehow no matter how hard I work right now, I feel like I am failing at even this task for my kids. They do not understand why we cannot go "home", as it is not our home anymore. No one talks about the lingering effects of surviving. No one warns you of the mental battles you will fight, or how in some moments when everything keeps piling up, you will compare yourself to the person who abused you. "How do they manage to do the simplest of these tasks in life, while at the same time leading a double life?" "How can they do these tasks, yet it seems like we can't?" The pain is real. The memories that it brings forth make it feel like it is happening all over again. Tonight when I came home, I had to come outside so my kids do not see me cry and falling apart. I want to be strong for them, and I am trying so hard. Yet, it feels like I am carrying such a heavy burden and now its plowing me down into the ground, and I lack the strength to get up, let alone move. No one warns you of the days when things will physically feel too hard to do and get done, or that it will feel like you are trudging through mud. No one speaks of the emotions that even the smallest things will trigger or even what to do when it happens. For me, I have struggled all my life with this. My go-to is to always shut people out and not talk about it- but instead to just ignore it and pretend it never happened in the first place, or to drink away my emotions about the pain and to try my best to numb out that pain. The past month has physically put me through a lot. Due to physical health concerns, I will no longer be able to consume any alcohol in my lifetime. Mentally, this has been an adjustment and a wake-up call. I do not have the opportunity to numb out the pain or escape from the memories. I have no choice now but to deal with it and accept what has happened. To work on the trauma is truly daunting and physically hurts. I know I need to be strong for myself, for my children, for my family, and for my friends. I feel I am carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders and the stress is eating away at me. In this world of painful memories, I feel trapped and unable to escape. In truth, I know this is temporary and I will heal from it. But I am impatient to get to the finish line. I am tired of the stress and the pain and the flashbacks. More than anything, I am tired of feeling alone on this journey.I feel unsure that I will ever conquer this monster who plagues my dreams and haunts my memories on a daily basis. In the past, I have written articles for my movement I AM ME. Tonight I feel vulnerable, scared, and incredibly alone. Tonight, this is me. No matter my emotions, I am still ME.
By marion scott5 years ago in Psyche
To make a flower live.
It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to make a flower live. To keep it from dying. The steps are simple. Water, but not to much, about two to three times a week. Keep it in sunlight, also a moderate amount. Too much or not enough of anything, especially the things that keep us alive, can end up terrible. However, a flower is nice and simple. Water and food.
By sidney king5 years ago in Psyche
Music and Water
Introduction: The Simple Things I remember my grandmother, sitting on her couch in her living room, with a thin white thread looped through a tiny silver needle in one hand and a growing masterpiece in the other. It was probably the most at peace she ever was. Often with the radio on and her eyes closed, it seemed like her own favourite form of meditation. After all the challenges and difficulties she had faced in her life, it was at this moment, she could finally value such peace and tranquility as the most prized possession she finally owned. The worst of her life was far behind her and she was safe in her own home, surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. The control she now had over her life was enough to make her feel empowered and complete.
By Vonnie Posnakidis5 years ago in Psyche
The spirit of creation and its' affect on mental health
Rock n' roll and mental health awareness have one thing in common, society has taken its' time to accept both. I have anxiety in the same way I love rock n' roll... I just always have. At the end of everything, everyone has that one thing that quiets the chaos inside of them. That something is a way to express self care and self love, as well as a way to spread love for the human experience. For me, that is the liquid light show, a dying art made famous by early rock n' roll. The liquid light show was made famous by the hippies, looking for the psychedelic visual counterpart to bands like Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd. It was a strange fusion of art and basic chemistry, all glued together via an overhead projector and colored fluids. I knew I loved doing it and I loved how raw I could be with it.
By Hayley Buzek5 years ago in Psyche
