Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

How To Identify Gaslighting Behavior?
Gaslighting is known as one kind of manipulation technique in abusive relationships. It is a sneaky, often subtle form of emotional abuse in which the tormentor or abuser compels the victim to doubt their own perceptions and reality. The victim of gaslighting eventually begins to question whether they are going insane.
By Afshara4 years ago in Psyche
Investing in Yourself
I think I'm starting to learn a little more about how this whole life thing works. Although I'm hesitant to say that I'm a life guru because, to be honest, I'm not. So it's important to understand this so when those hard times do happen you don't end up beating yourself up over the small things. I know I've done that. More times than I could count. When this happens it's usually because we've reached a point in our lives where we feel safe enough to become self-aware of our actions.
By Jessica Hall4 years ago in Psyche
The Panicked Adult
Sometimes I wish he left bruises on my body, then I wouldn’t want to toss my computer after every hopeless article. I slam my laptop closed and start stripping down for bed. Another wasted night. Another box of tissues littering the cold wood floor. Although I hate thinking in absolutes, I’m almost certain tomorrow morning my body will ache from another night of anxious dreams. Maybe I’ll luck out with only apocalyptic dreams tonight. I almost miss the escapism. Almost. But no matter what type of terror awaits my silk sheets, the bags under my eyes will be mature enough to sing their ABCs. New knots will join the plethora of old ones rupturing any peace in between my shoulder blades. I’d bet good money my brain will prevent my stomach from receiving nutrition. God, I don’t want to go to sleep.
By Faith Ann4 years ago in Psyche
The Octopus and Tumbleweed
I feel his gaze before I see him. A deep pull almost turns me inside out and straight into the space between my body and the air around me. This strangeness of feeling makes me look into the crowd for the source. I spot him like a shooting star’s glow across a night sky. His eyes are down, where he is maybe writing or reading, I can’t tell. Then he looks up at me, his eyes studying me intensely as I move through the air, where I am suspended in the space that I can so clearly feel all around me now. It is all so distracting I lose my concentration and slip mid-air a few feet before I regain my grip. The crowd gasps. My head hangs to where I am now looking directly at him, his golden-green eyes wide, holding me steady in the air. Who is he?
By Tanja Kaia Kala4 years ago in Psyche
An Elephant From The Ashes Of The Phoenix
“Where are our skis? Oh no! Did we leave them there?” I asked, staring at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. He looks at me from the corner of his eye and laughs with disbelief.
By Carrie Principe4 years ago in Psyche
FLUSH
When the toilet backed up I knew. Proof was the floating wads of sepia streaked tissue, heavily scented with feces/urine, and whatever else comes out of a body that takes in everything meant to destroy it.
By Kelly Girnas4 years ago in Psyche
The Thief
Somewhere, outside, a cat stirs. I sit in my chair quietly. Head bowed, hands clasped in my lap. The only indication that I’m not praying is that my eyes are still open. I stare down at those hands and wonder why they’re not trembling. It might be the pills. It might be the hollowness in my stomach. I’m done caring anymore, but that doesn’t mean I’m done wondering.
By Sam Liena4 years ago in Psyche
Awaken
I fell back in love with San Francisco, with you. You helped me close my chapter there and start fresh and new in Los Angeles. I thank the universe for sending me a nice human, a sober human, and an intelligent human with dreams. After I had caused chaos in my own family and tormented those close to me with my own despair, I had a glimmer of hope. And it was you. Sorry to have put all that pressure on you, but I thank you for getting me clean and sober, down to Los Angeles, and leaving me at the perfect time.
By Kyle Thomas Shea4 years ago in Psyche
Enough
Enough Am I enough? This is a question that rings in our heads throughout the day. Whether it runs through our minds consciously or subconsciously. It runs while we have thoughts to ourselves. It runs when we are in our time of work, play, education, leisure, and even silence. Pending our current circumstances, it can perceptively swing as steadily or consistently as a pendulum. In our moments of high achievements we say, “Yes, I am definitely enough!” We say this with such confidence that we enter an achievement high. A high like no substance or thing can give us. In these moments of high achievements where we walk tall, speak in true confidence, teach with intention, and give with a certain kindness that is pure. Nothing can touch us. We enter a state that is so grand we even set goals based on this feeling. I believe we all have had a time or another where we entered this euphoric state. We stand in confidence looking outward over our lives as if we are on top of a mountain looking down over the city of our life and the choices we have made thus far. It is in this moment we cast light over our lives that blankets the belief that in our lives enough is actually enough. Standing there proud, confident, and sure of ourselves, this is how we are meant to be. This is what life is supposed to be made of, the happy moments.
By Joshua Heilpern4 years ago in Psyche
Hearing
He would ask me questions about my traumatic past as if he were searching for explanations. He would make connections to things his mutual friends have been through.
By Chandi Peardon4 years ago in Psyche
Unrequited Narcissism
I grabbed my favorite glass from the cupboard. A short rocks glass engraved with the map of Los Angeles on it. It doesn’t carry a ton of meaning since I don’t really consider this city to hold any piece of my heart. Sure it’s got it’s perks and occasional luxuries, but it’s just another city. Tons of happy people, even more shitty people. Some of those overlap into both as well. But it’s just the right size glass and I feel Hemmingway-cool when I use it. Got ice from the fridge door and then grabbed my favorite gin. Very NOT Hemingway-cool. But he put some less than ideal things in his mouth. Mixed some diet tonic water and grabbed my grill tongs.
By Andrew Stutesman4 years ago in Psyche
Sadistically Stupid
When James woke up after last night's party, the one he threw when his mother was out of town; It took him a moment to place the fact he was in his room. Turning over still getting his bearings James said “Morning, how’re you doing from last night?” as he found his girlfriend lying next to him. “Been better” Eden returned coldly without so much as a glance in his direction. “I’m just going to head home, don’t feel too good,” said Eden.
By Danielle 4 years ago in Psyche