Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Moving to England during Brexit and learning how to sing
As an Afro Italian woman born and raised in Italy, with a mixed ethnic background of both Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo, the last thing I was thinking about was to randomly move to the United Kingdom, more precisely to a small, isolated, ethnocentric English village. I won’t mention the name because it is irrelevant in this story but what you need to know is that the difference between Italy and England is enormous and that there weren’t many choices regarding what subjects you wanted to study. I’d like to debate that the town is very posh, tidy and neat which is something I really adore. The school was of high rank in the county, however, it was the cultural difference between me and the people for me and most importantly the lack of desire most people in the school had to get to know a new person.
By Alessia Mavakala5 years ago in Psyche
Sleeping mats for the homeless
Ten years ago, we found out my stepson was a heroin addict. This came as a complete shock to his father and I. After confronting him, we gave him the option of moving out or going to rehab. He chose rehab, but did not like the rehab and had his mom pick him up. Now he was on the streets, as I was not comfortable having him live here with us. He had od'd in our bathtub on my birthday. We found him in the tub with a needle in his arm. I have small grandchildren, and refused to have them subjected to this behavior.
By elaine gray5 years ago in Psyche
The Healing of What I Tried to Kill
It’s time. Far past time, actually. The need to make art is kicking itself out of the coffin that I had sealed it into long ago, barely alive. By the time I stopped making art, the "need" was a pathetic thing, and dying anyway. So, how did I come to this place?
By Lori Corbett 5 years ago in Psyche
When it Sucks to Suck...
Everything in life is going great. Work is good, home life is great, you feel like your on the top of the world. Then out of no where, it starts to slip away, and you can't quite figure out where you've went wrong. Everything you touch seems like you mess up or break. Every word you say is the wrong one and you can't seem to have anyone understand you. Your misunderstood with your feelings and can't seem to gather them up to even be able to explain them. Your mind becomes cloudy and you can't seem to see, or think straight. You start to feel anxious and aren't really sure why. Then you start to over think every step you make, every look you give, every word you say. You start to question things that you used to be so sure of. You go to work, hoping for a good day, and it turns on you. Then you go home and you can't gather yourself enough to get done what needs to. You try to find little things to make you smile through the day, but then let discouraging remarks take your smile from you. You pick up a new hobby, just to find out, you're really just not as good as you thought you were. Then you tell yourself, "Don't give up, people count on you." But look around and see that you feel alone. The ones you feel count on you, you feel like you can't get nothing right with. You feel your world crashing all around you.
By Kayla Lynn Waksmonski5 years ago in Psyche
A Helping Hand
I have struggled with mental illness since I was a young child. Presenting as a child with hypochondria. As a published author and columnist, I have written extensively on my own battle with Anxiety and Depression. I was fortunate that when my condition reached a critical phase in my 20’s that Prozac had just been FDA approved. I wrote immediately a heartfelt yet humorous account of my illness for New York’s Avenue Magazine, entitled Prozac Poster Girl. It earned me more fan letters than any article I have ever published. I went on to pen a book on Breast Cancer which was very rewarding, as my mother had just been diagnosed. It was life-affirming to write that book and yet my number one issue remained Anxiety and Depression.
By Christian Good5 years ago in Psyche
Reality
Am I awake or dreaming? I blink my eyes, but everything remains black. Am I dead? There is not a hint of light anywhere. I try to move but there is no room. Wherever I am it is very small. I stand up and start feeling the walls, there are no corners, no way to climb out, I am in a hole. How could this be? How did I get here? I have no idea how deep I am in the ground. Was I kidnapped? Who could have put me here?
By Candace Jacobs5 years ago in Psyche
