The Unreliable Narrator

How to Stop Scrolling & Start Creating: Practical Magic for the Chronically Online

I was feeling anxious, uninspired, and stuck in a scroll loop, until I learned that my own creativity could become practical magic for breaking my addiction to my phone. This episode unpacks how screen burnout affects your creativity, mental clarity, and peace — and how to finally reset, so you can stop consuming and start creating. If your phone has become your go-to escape but somehow makes you feel worse, you're not imagining it. I dig into the loneliness that was hiding beneath my bad habits, the guilt that sometimes comes with stillness, and why doing nothing might actually be the key to doing everything. It’s not about productivity hacks — it’s about reclaiming your attention, your energy, and the quiet magic of your own creativity. Read the full essay on Substack: Practical Magic for the Chronically Online Follow @alliemarieevans on IG and TikTok for more.

Do I Need an Exorcism or Is My Boyfriend Just Draining My Life Force?

You can’t make this stuff up… and yet, it really happened. I received an actual exorcism — from my ex. Upon reflection, this may have been a very necessary side quest, because nothing else seemed to break the chokehold he had over my heart, mind, and maybe even my spirit. If you’ve ever dated someone who made you feel like your soul was slipping out through your eyeballs… this one’s for you. From gaslighting to demons, in this episode of The Unreliable Narrator, I unpack all the wild, subtle, and terrifying ways we convince ourselves we're crazy — because it's incredible what you can justify (or even believe) when you’re not thinking clearly. We talk about: * Subtle signs your partner might be draining your life force * My literal late-night exorcism * How stress and toxic relationships impact our physical health * The blurred lines between emotional trauma and spiritual misalignment * And how to finally call your energy back Think of this episode as your personal sage stick — but with sarcasm, soul, and maybe a little screaming. Share this episode with someone who needs to be saged, and drop a comment below telling me: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever gone along with… for a man? Follow Me For More: Instagram: @AllieMarieEvans [https://www.instagram.com/alliemarieevans/] TikTok: @AllieMarieEvans [https://www.tiktok.com/@alliemarieevans] Read more essays: SubStack [https://alliemarieevans.substack.com] Watch on: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@alliemarieevans]

Faking it With Friends: How to Let Go When Friendship Becomes a Performance.

This week, we’re peeling back the layers of friendship — the slow fades, the silent resentments, and the moments we realize we’re playing a part we no longer want. Why do we stay in friendships long after they stop fitting? Why do we feel like the bad guy for, realizing that someone else is a shitty friend? And when is it time to stop faking it altogether? Spoiler: it’s messier, sadder, and somehow more beautiful than you might think. In This Episode: * The Mythical Unicorn: Realistic Expectations vs. Impossible Standards in Friendship * The Ghost in the Group Chat: When to Speak Your Piece and When to Leave Quietly * The Hierarchy of Heart Space: Why Not Everyone Deserves an All-Access Pass to Your Life * Letting Go With Grace: How to Release Friendships Without Resentment or Drama A Quick Note on the Rebrand: Hi everyone — it’s Allie. I wanted to let you know that Always Anxious is officially: The Unreliable Narrator. I love a good rebrand almost as much as I love overthinking everything — but truly, this shift feels right. As I grow into my voice as a writer and storyteller, I wanted a name that better captures what this space has always been about: sharing life the way it’s actually felt, not perfectly remembered. Thank you for growing with me and I'm excited to be able to focus on sharing what really matters to me here. This Podcast was always meant to simply be a way to make my essays more accessible to you, so if you enjoyed listening check out my Substack for more essays like this. Find Me Here: https://alliemarieevans.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/alliemarieevans/ https://www.instagram.com/Theunreliablenarratorpodcast If you’re in your feels after reading — or just need something to soundtrack your quiet exits, here’s a playlist inspired by FAKING IT WITH FRIENDS.  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/01xdsuqVwjs9jdB0Xunr6Z?si=QKEKl_w-QS-oXJN0SNB6cA]

Too Young, Too Old, Too Much: The Impossible Timing of Womanhood

What happens when girlhood ends before you're ready — and womanhood begins on someone else’s terms? In this deeply personal episode of Always Anxious, I unpack the invisible pressures women face to grow up at the “right” time, in the “right” way, with the “right” outcome — and how almost none of us ever do. While writing my essay The Quiet Collapse of Girlhood, I sat down with two of my close friends — Tallulah Willis and Sara Coates — for honest conversations about growing up, body image, public scrutiny, identity, and the quiet grief that often comes with leaving girlhood behind. From generational trauma to societal timelines to the aching nostalgia of innocence lost, this episode dives deep into the pain, the power, and the personal reclamation of becoming a woman on your own terms. This one is tender, emotional, and full of moments I hope remind you that you're not alone. 💌 Let’s stay connected: → Follow me on Instagram [https://instagram.com/yourusername] → Read the full essay on Substack [https://your-substack-link.com/] → Submit your letter to Anxious Anonymous [https://your-form-link.com/] I’d love to hear your thoughts after listening. What part resonated most? What is your internal age? Drop a comment, DM me, or share your favorite quote — your input means more than you know. If this episode speaks to you, please consider following the show, sharing it, or leaving a quick review. We grow better when we grow together.

HOW LYING SAVED MY LIFE & ENDED MY RELATIONSHIP

I titled this article Becoming the Unreliable Narrator: How Lying to My Journal Saved My Life and Ended My Relationship because both are true. Finding the clarity and courage to leave a toxic relationship gave me a second chance at life. Who I was born to be, who I know myself to be, and who I have yet to become all hung in the balance of the decision to walk away and never look back. Read the full article and view the referenced images on Substack [https://alliemarieevans.substack.com/archive]