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Katerina Petrou
Bio
Stories (32/0)
When Passion Confuses Sexual Arousal and Fear. Content Warning.
'At least I felt something,' I found myself instinctively saying after a friend crept towards me and shook my shoulders. Barely, I watch horror films and I have never really ridden a rollercoaster. So, this playful attack arose a sensation I am not familiar with. Though, it was in its familiarity that I began to think deeper. The "something" that I felt was explicitly fear, though the increased heart rate and rise of adrenaline did not feel all that opposed to sexual arousal. Allow it to be understood that I am not sexually attracted to the person who attempted, and succeeded, to shock me. But, I could not help but wonder how similar fear and sexual arousal truly are. And, if this lack of distinction between the two could be the cause and catalyst for people finding themselves within abusive relationships.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Psyche
Where are you really from?
I was unsure whether to write this essay. It felt poignant to speak upon my personal experiences receiving racism - in order to raise awareness for the minor everyday occurrences that you hear less about. However, my passport states that I am White British. How could I possibly understand racism? I am not claiming to be the worst case study of this discrimination. Nor am I suggesting that my examples are the ones in most need of immediate attention. The purpose of this essay is to share the problem in all of its forms. Minor racism is still racism. All of it must be abolished.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in The Swamp
Independence or Loneliness
An aspiration for independence seems to be one that many of us share. Perhaps our progressive freedom through the decades has resulted in an ambition for self-reliance - especially among women who strive to be their own providers. Though this dependence on oneself can positively contribute to the views one has on the relationships present in their life, we are social creatures by birth. Developing intimate relationships and regular human contact fuels us to live fulfilled lives. So, what happens when you lose one of these relationships? The person who made you feel most content. Who you could do nothing with and feel okay - like life made sense. Like it did not really need to make sense. Solitude fills the space of the one who has left. And, solitude never leaves. You are left with no choice other than to resent its presence, draining all hope and happiness from your future. Or, perhaps, to befriend it.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Psyche
Modern Relationships and Infidelity
My views on relationships were once romantic. Designing the cut of my wedding dress for a body I had not yet grown into. Listening to each slow song with a dancing imagination of myself and somebody I did not yet know. Reaching adulthood dropped the curtain that this fantasy acted in front of. I was able to view behind the stage and understand the less musical reality of many relationships. Loyalty and fidelity were once qualities I assumed to be obligatory when sharing your life with another. However, each developing generation appears to own a decreasing capability for attention. It is almost as if a fear of commitment is installed into our minds as we reach adulthood.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Humans
Standing Together Through Tough Winds
The other passengers seemed unfazed by the unsteadiness of the air. While, my sister and I turned to each other and laughed, 'EasyJet'. At one time, the bumps in the journey would have frightened me. Even, I may have cried. Though, the reoccurring turbulence in those moments that we believed to have finally settled resembles the life that my sister and I live. All I know for sure is, as long as we have each other, there is not a thing we cannot survive.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Wander
A Simple Beauty
Lately, I have found myself longing to revisit the 24-hour trip to Paris that I experienced earlier this year. Celebrating a significant birthday, my twenty-first, I was vastly grateful to experience it in such an extravagant way. But, it wasn’t extravagant at all - that is what made it such an intimate memory.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Wander
Coffee and White Dresses
Oh God, miss you on my lips. It's me your little Venice bitch. The lyrics that ignited my sister and I's interest in visiting Venice. Granted the location Miss Del Rey sings about is in America, we assumed our efforts travelling to the Italian name-same would still be recognised. We said we will go this spring. Not too hot that we cannot explore the city. But, enough rays to reach our souls. The responsibilities of life burdened my sister and restricted her from being able to financially justify this dream. Luckily for her, I am not so responsible. I sat her down at our local pub and told her that I had found the hotel and flight tickets - all she had to do was say yes. Of course, she said yes.
By Katerina Petrouabout a month ago in Wander