Tag: mental health

Why I Won’t Spend $1 at Whole Foods

Julie Anderson

I would like to believe, that we are a country built on assured values. One value that most of us would hopefully agree on is that sexual violence, against children, women, and men – is a reprehensible act. The facts tell a different story: 1 in 5 girls and 1 Read more

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is the Creator and Publisher of Feminine Collective. Julie was inspired to create this safe place for women to share their secrets, desires, triumphs and pain as the antithesis of what mainstream media offers women today. In her column Pursuit of Perfection, she explores the importance of rectifying the balance of inner and outer beauty through essays, poems and articles on self-esteem, shame, family, and self- acceptance.

Cutting Away the Pain *trigger warning*

Jazmine Ellington

“I would totally marry the lead singer. Dude is hot,” says Aimee. “I’d marry the lead guitarist. The lead singer is overrated,” I reply.Aimee gasps and says, “You take that back!”She starts tickling me. “Okay, okay! Stop! Haha.” I sit up and try to catch my breath. “Nope, still overrated!” Read more

Jazmine Ellington

Jazmine Ellington is a junior at Cleveland State University. She is studying English with a concentration in Creative Writing and pursuing a Bioethics certification. Jazmine also has work featured on Entropy Magazine.

My Non-Television Mother and Me

Richard DeFino

Part 1 My mother is not a mother to me like a television mother. She’s more like a friend, a friend of a friend even. She’s the friend whose phone number you always lose on “accident.” When I was young, I used to idolize the kids on TV, especially the Read more

Richard DeFino

Ricky De Fino grew up in New York City and currently resides in Buffalo NY. When he isn’t writing about his anxiety and his crazy Bronx upbringing, he enjoys watching countless hours of television with his wife Andrea, cat Bebe and dog Zeke. Two years sober, good coffee and veganism keeps him sane. His work can be found in Two Cities Review, tNY Press, Purple Pig Lit, Dialougal and Cycatrix Press.

Psychosomatic

Ani Keaten

Concerning autoimmune conditions: first, describe the pain, then follow the doctor’s instructions, and wait. First, describe the pain, and be sure to mention you don’t want pain meds. You might need to bring a husband or father to vouch for you. Then follow the doctor’s instructions, explicitly. Do not deviate Read more

Ani Keaten

Ani Keaten is a poet grown in the desert mountains of Idaho. She writes about daily life and her experience with chronic illness. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys creating art with oil pastels, looking at rare rocks, and seeking out high places from which to take pictures.

I Am Eating

Paakhi Bhatnagar

Empty and white; slowly stripping down to collarbones and shiny shoes that look nice with her thinning silver gown. Grown to adore those cold feet and sleek ridges that adorn the backs of a hundred pale faces on paper. Scarred and hushed; lips quivering like the soul in her teeth, Read more

Paakhi Bhatnagar

Paakhi Bhatnagar is a student from India and an avid reader of historical fiction. She is a passionate feminist and blogs about current politics and feminist issues. She also possess the uncanny ability of turning everything into a debate.

Shadow People

Jacqueline Cioffa

The majestic trees stand silent as their burnt leaves free-fall to the ground. The short season to live and die is upon us. There is no wind to make the journey playful, less somber. The leaves will be stomped on, trampled or simply shriveled into paper-thin nothingness. Some say autumn Read more

Jacqueline Cioffa

A retired, international model, and celebrity makeup artist. Co-Author of Model Citi Zen, the guide. Founder of http://modelcitizenmakeup.blogspot.com/. Author of numerous prose pieces in various literary magazines. Most recently published in Little Episodes Brainstorms the anthology, among esteemed artists Sadie Frost, Melvin Burgess and Todd Swift.

Tangled Up In My Hair

Stephanie Ortez

Almost all of us have a part of our body we truly despise. I could tell you I hate my chubby rolls or my big booming breasts. But most of all, I have an ugly-affair with my hair! It all started 19 years ago. My mom took my sister and Read more

Stephanie Ortez

Stephanie is a highly caffeinated mother of two wonderful boys. She is hopelessly addicted to non-fiction books and literature that moves her to tears. She is an admissions advisor for George Washington University online where she assists homeschooled students internationally. Stephanie lives with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She is a passionate mental health advocate, member of Stigma Fighters. Her writing has been featured on The Elephant Journal, The Mighty, The Organic Coffee Haphazardly and Feminine Collective.

effervescent me

Wendy C Garfinkle

I am not effusive with emotions, sentiments. some think me unfeeling. on the contrary I feel too much. heart-full reactions often embarrass; impede rational thinking. if I am quiet in praise and with thanks it’s because – as goes the cliché – still waters run deep and sometimes to disturb Read more

Wendy C Garfinkle

Wendy is a writer and editor who holds multiple degrees from several universities, including MA and MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. She's the author of SERPENT ON A CROSS, a Jewish Medieval Fantasy, and a poet. She has served as a copy editor and panel reader for Hippocampus Magazine, as a reader for the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, and as an editor and proofreader for Booktrope and its Gravity Imprint. Wendy's most recent venture is her freelance editing business, Grammar Goddess Editing. In her day job, Wendy is a crime analyst for a sheriff's office. Her hobbies include writing, reading,and traveling. She lives in South Florida with her teenage son.