Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Meeting My Dead Best Friend Twice: . AI-Generated.
I was twenty when the world cracked in half. My mom died suddenly that spring, leaving me reeling and raw. Then, just months later, Jimmy told me over a nice casual lunch on Broadway in Vancouver— plates filled with burgers & fries, the sharp tang of ketchup mixing with the faint diner coffee bitterness—that the spots on his arms weren’t an injury. They were the first signs of something the doctors were just starting to name AIDS. He was scared, but still grinning like the slutty optimist he was, his voice low over the clatter of dishes. “California,” he said. “They need fresh faces. Mature ones.” He practiced saying James instead of Jimmy, rolling the name around like it might armor him against whatever came next. I laughed, called him a goober, and hugged him so hard the waitress looked away; my cheek pressed against his warm shoulder.
By Thaidal Zoner17 days ago in Psyche
The Brew's Bitter Gift: . Content Warning.
By my early fifties, grief and trauma had stacked so high I could barely hold myself up anymore — just numbness, barely existing and fake smiles along with small talk raised as armor when I had no choice but to be social. It felt like my life was already over and I was just waiting for time to pass.
By Thaidal Zoner17 days ago in Psyche
Algorithmic Social Media and the Restructuring of Early Adult Development
Early adulthood, typically defined as ages 18–29, is a critical developmental period characterized by identity exploration, instability, and the gradual assumption of adult social roles (Arnett, 2000). During this stage, individuals form enduring self-concepts, evaluate progress across educational, occupational, and relational domains, and calibrate expectations about what constitutes a “normal” life trajectory. Historically, these processes unfolded within geographically and socially bounded environments. Over the past decade, however, smartphones and social media platforms have become dominant social contexts, fundamentally reshaping how young adults encounter social information.
By Whitman Drake17 days ago in Psyche
How to Get Over Social Anxiety?
Dealing with social anxiety can be tiring! You might really want to talk to other people, have an open conversation, and experience the fun in socialising, but this might lead you to overthink the situation before it actually happens, avoiding participating in the conversation or playing the moments again and again in your head, even after they have passed! This isn't just 'shy' behaviour; it is also feeling 'afraid' of being judged, to be embarrassed, or misinterpreted. The weight of social anxiety can make normal occasions feel larger than life.
By Anxiety Offline18 days ago in Psyche
