coping

Life presents variables; learning how to cope in order to master, minimize, or tolerate what has come to pass.

Context
I always knew I was fucked up, but I didn’t think about it all laid out. I thought I had this shit on the right path; I was going to sort through it all eventually on my own. I should have known better than to make such careless plans. I never learn, do I? It’s never been that simple.
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)4 years ago in Psyche
A Small Victory
I still wonder how anyone gets through their adolescence. I had heard statistics as a young man about the suicide rate among us, and also knew about all the dangers out there that would eventually claim many in my circle of friendships and family (death, jail, drugs, disappearance, etc.)
By Kendall Defoe 4 years ago in Psyche
Little Moments
I have sat and actually said to people I didn't know what it was like to be happy. That I have never truly been happy. Those words left my mouth on more than one occasion. However as I sit here today trying to think of something to write about, I keep coming back to these little moments I wish would have lasted longer. Moments I would love to have again. They replay in my mind now like a movie long lost and out of production. One that I've searched everywhere for but cannot find.
By Melissa Wilson4 years ago in Psyche
The Imperfect Life
Please note: mental health themes throughout 1. I turned right into the local shopping centre car park and found myself circling around the same parking bay twice, and still without a park when a young woman caught my eye. Dressed alternatively, in what exactly, I don’t know. I don’t know fashion, but I knew it wasn’t the norm. As I looked out above my dashboard, she briefly glanced my way as she returned a trolley just four or five metres in front of my car. You know that feeling when you know someone from somewhere but you’re not sure where? - It’s an instant recognition but then BOOM - the brain freezes and you’re not sure from where and when this person is from. She had the same recognisable graceful manner, so light on her feet, yet more wieldy and purposeful than I remembered. Uh, that’s right, I thought. Is she still on anti-psychotics? Does she even need those? They screw you over until you wish you were dead - but you can’t feel anything or think clearly enough to know any better. Had she spoken to Josh? I wondered if she was still single?
By Grz Colm4 years ago in Psyche
Why Me?
You just got out of work, it's late. You have to walk a mile and a half back home because the last bus left 10 minutes earlier, and you got of work 10 minutes too late. You dread the thought of having to trek it over a mile home, especially having been on your feet all day. But, tired or not, you begin the journey. Your mind is ruminating on other things: did I finish the load of wash? Did I remember to grab a gallon of milk? What time is my doctor's appointment next week? As your mind is wandering to numb the fatigue of having to expend even more energy after a long day, a man suddenly grabs your throat from behind, making sure to cover your mouth as to not let out a shriek. You're dragged behind a commercial dumpster in a pass-through alley, thrown to the ground, being threatened to keep your eyes shut, as your pants are taken off. And when it's all over, you're left in a state of confusion, dismay, DISGUST, and fear. You were just raped. Why me? How? Is this real? Did this just happen?
By AMERICAN EAGAL4 years ago in Psyche
The Shadows are Full of Shit
TWs: Mental Health, depression, anxiety, isolation, bullying & abandonment. (This was primarily written as a vent so I apologise if my tone is perhaps less than professional)
By Veris Marock4 years ago in Psyche
My Phone is my Vent Machine
I do not know how to vent. Or at least not properly like a normal adult. Normal adults either go to therapy and talk it out or go to their friends to spill their hearts out for a little bit. Unfortunately I do not have the stable revenue for a therapist and I do not feel comfortable talking to my friends about deep emotional problems. Not that they can't handle it but I would prefer to let them deal with their own issues rather than having the burden of them listen to my ramblings plus their own stresses.
By Lovely Lucia4 years ago in Psyche
The Audacity
As you already know, I had a religious upbringing. I was taught to treat people how you want to be treated. And do good deeds and good deeds will come back around to you. But I learned in the most detrimental way that it won’t be reciprocated because of “free will”. People always have a choice in life. I always knew I was a free hearted and maybe too trusting. I was young, so of course, I fell victim to the wrong crowd. But these were so called relatives of my brother’s mom side of the family, so I thought I was “safe” until one night they took advantage of impaired state of mind with the help of slipping a “Mickey” in my drink. They coerced me to say things on camera such as they had my approval to sexually assaulted me. The next morning, I awoke to a stranger on top of me in some random motel. When I woke up, I started freaking out on the guy about how he was a rapist! He replied, “ Well I just thought because you approved everyone else to have sex with you, I thought it was ok.” I said WHAT!!! I was hysterical and I’m disbelief. I called a cab and went home but my parent knew something was wrong. They took my banks card and apparently used them to death at several gas stations . I was completely devastated. I couldn’t sleep at night because it seems like my nightmares would flare up. But then my nightmares got worse and I just stopped sleeping. The rape was a terrible experience but it was the disloyalty I couldn’t get over. The police told me I didn’t have a case because they have me on camera saying they have my permission when in fact they coerced to say what they rehearsed me to say for them. I was completely susceptible to anything they wanted me to do! I would have never agreed to five men. And on top of that, I only had a couple sips out of my one drink!!! I knew I had been drugged. At that time of my life, I only had sex with one person at the time and was only interested in love. I thought, “ How sick?? They premeditated a video to corroborate their story!! Not only did they violate me in the worst way but they have access to a video where they can relive it over and over.” I understood that it happened and we can’t go back in time, we can go only go forward. It was definitely a hard pill to swallow but there is always someone going through something worse than you. If life was good all the time, we would have no reason to pray. With that being said, I thought it can only get better from here. So I decided to become a stripper/dancer. I thought since I was exposed on a video somewhere that I might as well make the most of my body. Most people frown upon it but I had fun. I made a lot of money and seen the world. It was my way of saying f@@@ it and taking back my life. I decided to break the barriers of shame and show the world my resilience. I think everything happened for a reason and shaped me to be me. Becoming a stripper taught me to embrace sexuality and I embodied this other persona. When I get to be 80 years old, I’m going to tell my grandkids how grandma used to swing from a pole. Lol
By Nikella4 years ago in Psyche
The Winged Rider.
He always rode late into the night, but this ride was different. As he looked forward it was bright, though it was the middle of the night. The road curved and glistened, as if it was made of gold. It was quiet, and he could hear the rustle of the leaves. On each side of the road we’re trees. Colors he had never seen before decorating the limbs.The bike he was just on, transformed. It had high handle bars and was black as night. The bike itself looked as though it was glowing! He had never seen anything dark somehow have a light reverberating from it. As he walked toward it, eager to ride he felt something tickle his back. As he turned to look for what had touched him he saw nothing. It happened again, confusion all over his face. Then he looked down toward his feet and there lied a single golden white feather. It seemed strange to him, because he saw no birds flying above him. He then looked over his shoulder, then he started to feel them. White and golden feathers adorned these massive beautiful wings. The most beautiful wings he had ever seen before. He shrugged his shoulders and he could move them! Like an arm or a leg. As he stretched them they felt heavy, but not too much to carry. Mae, I must be dreamin! He exclaimed. He leaped into the air, using his wings as if they had always been apart of him.
By Alaina Craft4 years ago in Psyche
East or West?
‘So, tell us more about yourself.... My fellow chaplain told me that he has met you before — he said that you were involved in a Christian club at this university, right?'
By 🇻🇳 Journey with Juju 🇦🇺4 years ago in Psyche
The Complicated Experience of Opening Up
Questioning your diagnosis or thinking there may be more to the answer. Sometimes when I talk to my friends about their experiences, it feels like they finally got the answer they were looking for. As for me, I spent an extended part of my life trying to cope with depression and anxiety. While that still may be so, I still question. I wonder if there is more to the story. Like something is being ignored. It's a long journey but a complicated one.
By Norma Jane4 years ago in Psyche
I'm not dumb... I have ADHD
Many of my closest friends & family members, not even my mom, I think knows that I’ve struggled with ADHD since I was a child.
By Lorenz Valdez4 years ago in Psyche