Write a story about a character experiencing anxiety.

Posted in Character on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 83 stories

“Cadence” by Christine Johnson

Submitted to Contest #20

The quiet Sunday morning loomed on Luz’s mind. Her bedroom relaxation shifted from restful and promising to a sweat pod dampening her cotton nightshirt. Her breath escaped her, fingers going numb. She held her shaking hands in front of her, grabbing one hand with the other to make the shaking stop. The blankets suffocated her. Luz violently flung the blankets three feet in the air nearly knocking over a lamp and a framed Warhol print. Her angst supercharged her strength to protect her unhinged mind.This wave came out...

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“The Creature” by Nina Zhang

Submitted to Contest #20

Deep breath. In and out. In and out. Take a step, Leena, take a step. Don’t fall on your face. Smile. Sharp needles piercing my heart. Deep breath. Something fluttering in my stomach. Deep breath. The crowd is watching, silent as ever as they wait for me to trip or fall. I clench my paper harder in my fist. Time seems to slow and I hear my own heavy breaths as I make my way to the front. One step. Two steps. Stop. Deep breath. I open my mouth to speak until the sight of all those pe...

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“The Interview” by Tiare Barraza

Submitted to Contest #20

There is a wrinkle on the skirt. How the hell did that happen. Fuck, this could cost me. What are you even saying? Not like you could change. Your fat ass does not fit into anything else; you pig. Hold back the tears. You need to do well on this interview. Like you can. Why even come? Lets back out. No I can’t back out. But if- No. I have to go in. Taking a deep breath, Analitz walked into the building and straight to the receptionist, all while forcing a smile on her face. “You need something?”, the receptionis...

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“Thomas S.” by Corey Bynum

Submitted to Contest #20

I woke up at three o’clock. My phone was too bright and It made me nostalgic for a good old analog alarm clock. I ate too much take out, it was creeping up my throat and singeing my insides. I live alone so there is no reason to wear pants. I haven’t had anyone in my life for some time now. They all seem to leave. Go somewhere, do something better. That was me for a while, so I don't blame them, just miss having a voice of reason around. My therapist says I should go out more. See more. Do more. Experience life instead of just watch it scrol...

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“UDAKU” by Gimbiya Galadima

Submitted to Contest #20

UDAKUOFUYou took off your clothes slowly, then looked up at the large wall mirror in front of you. It was an act to marvel at your young body, but as usual it ended badly. You felt the arms that you would have preferred better if they were thin. Then your eyes swept a glance over the scars you created beautifully with your razor blade. Mum didn't know, the long sleeved dresses you wore hid your marks from her prying eyes and sharp mouth. You felt your chest, too flat in your opinion for a big girl. The worst parts of your body were those mar...

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“How He Knew the Words” by Alexis Forbes

Submitted to Contest #20

He was, as an intellectual would say, academically inclined within varied topics of conversation. She was, as an intellectual would say, less so. He could name you one-hundred-seventy-three countries out of a setlist of one-hundred-ninety-five upon sudden request, their capital cities included. He could recite federal laws as if they comprised his weekly shopping list and could tell you intricate details of specific attacks that occurred during the World Wars. When asked how his reply was always simple; “Live by the words, they possess...

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“Still Life, with Anxiety” by Dee Richards

Submitted to Contest #20

Eyes open. What time is it? 4:45 am. Great, I can try to go back to sleep for 30 minutes, and probably fail, or just get up early. I know that if I get up early, I am going to wake up and the same time tomorrow, maybe earlier. But I have a million things to do today; might as well.I have a schedule for everything. There are emails to be checked, Facebook posts, and budgeting. Exercise from 6 to 6:30, then eat breakfast. Get the kids up for breakfast, and dressed for school before I leave at 7:45, sharp. We've been late before, and all hell b...

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“All In Your Head” by Briana Moncayo

Submitted to Contest #20

A flashing light came from my phone, signaling a notification, "Party for Kenny's birthday!" I smiled snoozing my reminder of my friend's birthday party. I walked up the stairs of my house, heading into my room. My parents were working late while my sister was doing her homework. "Hey, I'm going to head out, I'll be home before midnight." I let my sister know as she passed by my door. I got changed out of my work clothes and headed into my bathroom to shower. I stopped in my tracks looking at myself in the mirror. "Dark red stretch marks, lo...

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“The Purse” by Nancy Richards

Submitted to Contest #20

When the phone rang, I sensed it was from my sister, Marie. She didn’t call often, usually when she needed something, or when something was wrong. “What’s up,” I answered the phone. “Oh, I gotta tell you something,” Marie said, sounding emotional. “I’ve got my ears on.” She was making sounds, but I couldn’t tell what emotion she was trying to convey. Marie took a deep breath. “Okay, okay. I got a...

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“Flinch” by Cory Pines

Submitted to Contest #20

Tap, tap, tap. Elijah sat alone in the shower as the water came down over his head. He tried his best to forget everything that had happened the previous day. He played with his fingers, rubbing them together and tapping them on the tub’s edge. He knew he was alone, but he couldn't help but feel as though there was someone watching him, and standing right around the corner. The water was cold. Elijah wasn't sure who told him that cold water would help him calm down, but he remembered hearing it from someone. It didn't seem to be working. Tap...

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“The Runaway” by Colleen Pinner

Submitted to Contest #20

The thin boy trudged along the dusty road. When he heard the car stop beside him, he glanced over. Great a sheriff’s car. When he heard the man’s voice. He knew it was over.“You Loren Soames?”The boy glanced at the car and then nodded his head. He hadn’t figured they would find him so soon.“Been lookin’ for you.”The boy didn’t look at him or say anything. The man hesitated, then wiped his brow.“Mighty hot out today, ain’t it?”The boy just stood there.“Tell you what. I’d sure go for something cold to drink about now. How about you?”The boy sh...

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“Scared of the World” by Amira Gilbert

Submitted to Contest #20

I woke up to light shining right into my eyes almost blinding me, I squinted at the light and rolled out of bed yawing. I checked the time on the clock above my dresser and cursed. It was late, really late. I was supposed to be up almost an hour ago. My readings had shown that people who woke up late most days had a high risk of dying earlier that people who woke up around six or seven. Blast these daylight savings! They were messing up my routine, though at least they were better than having an alarm clock! I had heard that alarms were dang...

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“Oblivion” by Luke Henkel

Submitted to Contest #20

I first ran into him on a cold, hard Sunday towards the front end of February. It was the beginning of a particularly strong cold snap, with the temperatures only expected to get lower. Much lower. That particular morning, I was late for mass. I didn’t layer enough, and the instant I was out my door frigid cold slapped me with ferocity. The morning burned violently across my cheeks, my forehead, and my scalp within a few steps, and before I turned the first ...

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“Spiralling Down the Staircase” by Shannon Wright

Submitted to Contest #20

There is a woman I know well that looks beyond others failings to help them find solace. She goes through life hopeful and open to whatever good things God offers. She is an empath that feels everything her friends and family feel. She is even minded and fair and tries to look at situations objectively. Tries to put her self head on into her work putting all of her into customer service rolls or interpersonal relationships she nurtures. She is loving and respectful more times than not knowing that without the social entanglements in the time...

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“Click” by Lauren Ford

Submitted to Contest #20

Click! The sound of the lock was loud in the darkness. Clara could hear the others breathing heavily around her. The sticky heat of their breath against her skin made her uncomfortable. A sliver of golden light shone through in the top corner of the room. It only penetrated a few centimetres of darkness; the black shapes around her remained faceless, shifting and groaning. She gently lifted a foot to relieve some of the ache that had settled in the bones there. She had been standing for a long time now and hadn’t yet had a chance to r...

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Write a story about a character experiencing anxiety.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 83 stories

“Cadence” by Christine Johnson

“The Creature” by Nina Zhang

“The Interview” by Tiare Barraza

“Thomas S.” by Corey Bynum

“UDAKU” by Gimbiya Galadima

“How He Knew the Words” by Alexis Forbes

“Still Life, with Anxiety” by Dee Richards

“All In Your Head” by Briana Moncayo

“The Purse” by Nancy Richards

“Flinch” by Cory Pines

“The Runaway” by Colleen Pinner

“Scared of the World” by Amira Gilbert

“Oblivion” by Luke Henkel

“Spiralling Down the Staircase” by Shannon Wright

“Click” by Lauren Ford

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a character who starts out as a pessimist and ends as an optimist. (Or vice versa.)

Write a story about a character who would be described above all else as "logical."

Write a story about a day in the life of a mother.

Write a story about a character experiencing independence for the first time.

Contest #20

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

274

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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