At Stained Silk Magazine, we believe that the pursuit of enlightenment is noble–but a little bit absurd. We publish essays that tackle serious topics of mindfulness, psychology, and philosophy without taking them too seriously. We aim to reflect on what it means to be a human with equal parts depth and irreverence. Stained Silk publishes thoughtful, provocative pieces that are introspective with a healthy dose of cynical self-awareness. We’re here for the over thinkers, the skeptics, and the seekers who seem to keep getting lost on the road to nirvana. If you’ve ever spiraled out during a Zen meditation, wondered whether your therapist thinks you’re funny, or rolled your eyes at a pop-psychology cliche, you’ll fit right in.
––Joelle Golyk, Founder & Editor in Chief
Not to get too existential, but a little About Us…
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We will publish quarterly. Stay tuned for our debut issue launching this summer!
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Yes! We offer annual subscriptions for the print magazine so you can get every issue delivered straight to your door. Our digital content will be free for the first issue, and you can subscribe to be notified when it drops.
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The best way to support us is simple: subscribe to the magazine, read the content, and engage with our work. Follow us on Instagram @stainedsilkmag for updates and behind-the-scenes fun. Feeling inspired? Submit an essay or artwork! And of course, sharing with friends helps us grow our audience—and that’s the best way to help us keep publishing
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The name Stained Silk comes from a simple law of nature: the more precious and delicate an outfit I wear, the more likely I am to spill something on it. This paradox is the perfect metaphor for our approach: the more we strive for perfection—whether it’s mental clarity, enlightenment, or simply feeling ‘alright’—the more we become aware of our flaws and fallibility. We embrace the imperfections, the messiness, and the uncertainty of life, because nothing is ever as perfect as it seems.