In today’s day and age, we have lots of stories that we need to share but we aren’t always comfortable using our names and faces to do so. This has been even more apparent recently since world events have led us to have words and thoughts that we need to expel into the world, perhaps a safe space. This is where Anonym(us) comes in. People can share experiences and stories anonymously without the fear of judgement.
The team behind Anonym(us) tells us: “We hope to create a space that normalizes all kinds of shared experiences and builds a community that encourages safe expression anonymously via dialogue, art, writing or any desired medium.”
Anonym(us)’s project’s goal is to have these stories published in a printed and digital zine sorted by topic and trigger level with the storyteller’s consent. The reason for these zines is for readers to connect to stories they resonate with, and to destigmatize expressing oneself. We love this idea and we definitely know that this is something our readers would definitely be keen on as well.
“We aspire that this project creates a community of people with agency over their own narratives, and inspires people to hold space for others and themselves,” shares the Anonym(us) team.
The team shared a story with us they obtained consent from the author to publish. Editor’s note: the story has been edited for clarity:
“Anyone I tried to approach as a kid in school to befriend turned me away. This is how it’s like growing up an awkward boy with interests that don’t match what is popular. Being a guy, I was taught by my family to stick up for myself, but there was no rule book for how confrontation happens. So I froze instead, I chose to stay silent because I knew that telling the teachers wouldn’t help. I didn’t have many friends until senior year, one of them who now is my best friend. I think I lucked out because she understood me fully and didn’t assume anything about me. I hate it when humans do that, you never know a person fully, not even your closest friend. Sometimes I wonder where this expectation of men needing to be strong and verbal 24/7 came from. I wish I could tell my parents how I really feel. That sometimes life is not the image they expect of me. What I want is a little acceptance.”
If you have something to get off your chest, or you have a story that you are not comfortable sharing with the world in your own name, we recommend you reach out to Anonym(us) on their Instagram page @anonym.us.stories and you can also email them on anonym.us.stories@gmail.com.
