Bad habits
Gaslighting and the Unrecognised abuse of psychological violence
I should have known something was wrong when, a few months into our relationship, he confronted me with a printed copy of my ICQ history (the year was 2004, people) in which I spoke to an ex-boyfriend who was much older and wiser than me about the doubts I had going into a new relationship with this boy I knew from college. I was so mortified with the shame of what he had found that I didn’t stop to wonder how had he managed to acquire that conversation. I was so busy apologising for a more than normal questioning that I let go of the fact that this relatively new man in my life had invaded my computer, stolen my data and printed it out to guilt me into a feeling of betrayal towards him. I accepted my role as the bad guy so hard I didn’t notice I was placing myself as a perpetual victim to his points of view.
By Nina Amaral4 years ago in Confessions
Vegas Vacation Horror Story
I was living in San Antonio Texas for a while and was waiting for a contract job that was going to start in about a week. My friend Tim decided we should go to Vegas for the weekend and gamble. I had $800 to burn so I said let’s go.
By William Frick4 years ago in Confessions
I want out
I remember this place. It’s been years at least since my last time cooped up in this room. I would venture to say I’ve spent most of my life outside these walls but I couldn’t be sure…what is time after all but the pasting together of moments? My days have been broken down into segments, there is the ‘sleep’ time, which takes up most of the day, then there is ‘meal time’ twice a day. Breakfast and dinner are tied for my favorite segments of the day. I get an occasional bathroom break but it’s really important that I’m quiet when they let me out of this room. I have had several close calls with a violent couple that have tried to attack me on sight. They have acted effectively as my prison guards, my watchdogs that detest the very notion of my comfort and peace. I hate them, I really do. The man in charge of this place isn’t much better either, he hates me but in his words “will tolerate [my] existence so long as [I] behave” My mother and father visit from time to time to tell me to keep my spirits up. Father says he will take me away from here soon, but I can tell that he has no real plan. Things have been extra harsh around here lately ever since my last protest. The man was starting to become upset with my drinking problem. I have a condition, you see, where I cannot drink water without making a mess all over the place. He demanded my water ration be cut; this disturbed me greatly. The man’s son is my roommate and to be honest: I like him; I think he’s alright but I resolved that he would suffer in solidarity with me. The good news was that I had done time with him in the past so I knew he wasn’t going to try to off me in my sleep, he’s not a man of that kind of conviction. That being said, he did annoy me with his claiming of the only bed in the room. I was perfectly happy to alternate between him sleeping on the floor and him sharing the bed with me once a week but he didn’t even ask what I thought on the matter. For that, I made it a point to rub my ass on his pillow every night. Anyway, the day my water ration was cut I was angry. On top of that injustice, I had only one bathroom break the entire day. In my anger I formulated the perfect plan of vengeance. A plan that if executed flawlessly would stay in the hearts and minds of my oppressors long after I am gone. I decided it was time to defecate all over our bed. I knew I wouldn’t mind the act; I’ve long since abandoned my dignity and my will to be civil in this barbaric world. The one issue was that of my mental block. Call it what you will but I am a shy pooper. I pushed and pushed much like a mother giving birth though in this moment I felt like less of a woman. Finally after much concentration, I had done it and it was one of my finest works I must say. There was a clear issue: it was too obvious, too clear, too simple, so I covered it with the blanket and marveled at the land mine I had produced. In this moment of my successful rebellion something odd happened within me: I felt empty, I wasn’t satisfied, I craved more, so I soaked the covers in my urine and waited. My roommate often disappears for large chunks of the day; he is allowed to go outside because of nepotism. After many long hours of sitting in the corner, I finally witnessed him reentering our room. I watched him cross the confined space; he seemed exhausted and dived into the bed without a second thought only to immediately regret it. He was immediately changed, broken, as he stood up to realize he was coated in my fluids and our sheets were painted with my essence. He cried out “No! Why!? What did I ever do to you?!” I sat there; watching him yell at me, the fool clearly did not understand the nature of chaos. He grabbed me by the neck and stuck my face in the filth as though that would make me regret my courageous act. I didn’t break; I wasn’t weak like him. Long story short, things have been tense around here since that incident. I stare out the window every day and long to feel the wind blow through my hair but it feels like my confinement has only gotten worse. I resolved to write this memoir from the safe haven I have found under our bed. It has kept me sane in these trying times, maybe one day…oh wait, the door is opening, hold on, I’ll be right back....
By Jacques Le Sante4 years ago in Confessions
Faith without works
The words "I believe", "I receive" "It will happen fast", "My faith is higher", as being anthems for everyone (Believers). The use of these words is without control and people believe and limit it to its potential power, forgetting the kinetic aspect of the words and sayings.
By Olalekan Adeeko5 years ago in Confessions
Overdrawn
Yesterday there was less than $1 in all of my combined accounts. I check religiously for overdrafts in case I forgot something, but what can I do at this point if there is one. Today, I woke up to a fee adjustment I couldn't even find and now I have a grand total of $3 so I smiled. One small break to feel less terrified. I have paper checks, but I never understood how to deposit them with the banking app until too late - next time.
By Public Diary5 years ago in Confessions
Daily Struggles & Depression
The closer it gets to my birthday, it always feels like there are things that are too hard to get away from. Constantly fighting with bills, making sure my child is ready for school, worrying about friendships and relationships that I care about the most, and just trying to live as peacefully as possible. Honestly, I've wanted to sit back and just cry. Sit in a meadow, take in the breeze and just hope for the best right? I know it's not as simple as wishing on a shooting star and suddenly, you get everything you need, however, you have to put in the work. Some people would say "but at what cost", which I can feel that on so many levels, but I can say I just what a better future for me and my family. I wouldn't want my family to have to take on all of the pressure that I have to constantly deal with on a daily basis. Depression makes things go in slow motion for me. I overanalyze everything in one set of times, which makes my brain want to explode most of the time, and I can't find anything easier for myself, or a way to cope with everything that is thrown at me all at once. Something that happened to me personally today, really made me realize how messed up things can be, especially when people are just doing their jobs. It's just hard to have to be understanding, but also me having to hate myself for putting myself in that position in the first place. I don't want to be angry at the wrong people but at myself of course.
By Zaya Hodges5 years ago in Confessions
Between Two Worlds
I am jolted awake by the intensely irritating beep, beep, beep, beep, beep of my alarm. I immediately sense the familiar pounding in my head as I reach for my phone and tap snooze. Rolling over, I snuggle in for a much needed eight more minutes of rest. Eyes closed, my always racing mind kicks into drive and the rapid self talk begins.
By Kerie Adamson5 years ago in Confessions
The Story Of A Girl With An Undiagnosed Compulsive Eating Disorder
As I lay in bed, full and satisfied from the meals I consumed today… I can’t help but wonder where the biscuits I saw my family eat last night are? Throughout the whole week, I have been super consistent and strict on clean eating, but today, the day I finally had a taste of sugar, but today, the day I consumed a three course meal for dinner... TODAY my body just doesn’t know how to stop! And today, there is no will power like the other days.
By Lisa Isgro5 years ago in Confessions
Halo effect
It was on a rainy Wednesday night when I got caught on the “Halo Effect” trap once again. After a regular day at the office, I decided to call a good friend of mine to indulge ourselves in a good conversation among beers. In a matter of minutes, our recurring chat started at idle speed at the marina’s bar. Depeche Mode’s “Music for the masses” album was furiously filling the location with electronic tones, providing rhythm and motivation for some sailors to shake the salt out of their skin. I love my job, it bring me closer to this maritime scene filled with my kind of archetypes.
By Giovanni Profeta5 years ago in Confessions
