Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
I Was Body Shamed By My Parents Just A Few Hours After Giving Birth
It was only a mere few hours after I had given birth to my son and I was already body shamed. By my own parents. My dad asked “Why do you still look pregnant?” My mom agreed. She doesn’t remember having such a big belly after giving birth to me and my sisters. She apparently bounced back the minute after we were delivered.
Alice VuongPublished a day ago in Viva
The Ladybug 🐞
Let’s go back to the week after Christmas. I felt a slight change in my body that had me a bit nervous 😬 . I was sleeping more than usual, I really thought it was work because when the holidays comes it can be chaotic. So I decided that maybe it’s time that I took a pregnancy test, because I knew that was one of the signs of my increased fatigue. Three test later I was IN FACT pregnant 😳 ! Now another thing I noticed around the same time that I ignored at first was this ladybug 🐞 on my wall in my room. I looked up the meaning for it. My findings stated that ladybugs are a symbol of luck (which is like the stereotypical meaning we are mostly raised upon), protection (new to me 🤨 ), and the kicker: NEW LIFE! I dropped my phone 📱 and immediately was shook. The signs were there I just never saw them. I really had to take a moment and figure out what to do.
100 Days of Meditation Post Break-Up
Day 1 – February 25th, 2021 I took a look at my YouTube music playlist after my afternoon workout and got slapped back by my sudden realization today! The list started with “Head in the Clouds” by Naika featuring Teamarrr a song about putting down the emotional baggage of an ex-relationship in order to pick up one’s Goddess-hood instead. The second song was “Stronger” by Raveena a song I interpreted to be about trusting yourself and not letting a man discourage your own divinity. Then it was “Be Careful” by Cardi B, literally telling her man to appreciate her or else risk losing her. “What You Won’t Do” by Savanna Cristina is a mix of oldie vibes with newbie lyrics and again about appreciating the woman in your life before she’s gone. And a slew of Other songs mostly consistent of the artists Teamarrr, Doja Cat, Beyoncé, and Lizzo. I’d been jamming on the way to the store to gather groceries to make for my boyfriend, singing in the shower in his small one bedroom apartment merely yards away from him, and making out with him with the music bumping in the background without ever noticing that I’d unintentionally and expertly cultivated my break-up playlist prior to my actual break-up.
Ashley EllisPublished 3 days ago in Viva
Trying Something New
I’ve been a musician for 12 years starting with violin in the 5th grade and classic guitar in the 9th. I’m painfully average at both and music is something I have a love/hate relationship with, but I wouldn’t quit it for the world. I’m particularly partial to stringed instruments, but the ukulele always put a sour taste in my mouth. Not because there was anything wrong with the instrument, but because of the misogyny I internalized about girls who played the instrument not being real musicians. The memes are all over the internet. The quirky girl who wears big dark framed glasses and flower crowns, may or may not have dyed hair, and has a wall of fairy lights in her room. I didn’t want to give men another reason to pick on me so I avoided ukulele like the plague for ten years.
Olivia BarkerPublished 3 days ago in Viva
Nappy Hair, No Hair
This morning, after grieving through a five-year journey with androgenic alopecia, I’m going to get my little afro cut off, well, what’s left of it. Two weeks ago, I completed my second round of follicle transplants, in which the surgeon shaves off all the hair on the back of the head to harvest follicles to place where I’m balding in the front. Ugh. Although my stomach is churning with anxiety, I’m excited because the surgical process is over, and I know from here my hair will come into its own. Within myself I’m okay with my journey, but there’s this nagging that keeps poking at my “okay-ness” it’s this thing within me that dreads my hair process being witnessed, ridiculed, and judged. Here’s an example. Several weeks ago, I was with some people I care about. I don’t love them. I don’t hate them, but I care about the quality of their existence. It was my fifty-first birthday, and I was speaking to a room of women who are in the same recovery home where I had worked on my own addiction many years ago. It was a full-circle moment. I was in my element, encouraging women just like me that change is possible, always possible.
The Odetta-Maris
I have sailed in treacherous, uncharted waters, fought off scavengers, managed to win a great number of battles against pirates, so it's not hard to assume that I live for the adventures. It's all in a day's work as one of the very few - if only - female pirate captains.
Anna de VriesPublished 3 days ago in Viva
Boys Will be Boys (because we let them)
A young girl is standing with her friends on the playground during recess. Out of nowhere, one of the boys in her class runs by and pushes her and then takes off. When the little girl gets upset she’s told, “it’s okay. He only did it because he likes you.” Suddenly, she is the envy of all the other kindergarten girls. They want a boy to push them, too.
Kristen NazzaroPublished 3 days ago in Viva
The Mature Women
I hit my late 40s and my marriage of 23 years started to crumble. I decided I had to improve on me. I did what any co-dependent women would do. I threw out all of my granny panties I hit my late 40s and my marriage of 23 years started to crumble. I did what any co-dependent women would do. I threw out all of my granny panties and bras.
Dottie Jo MarshPublished 3 days ago in Vivayou
I have piece of uncommon knowledge which is going to blow you away, are you ready for it because it is truly shocking... not many people know it because society is so messed up... but did you know you are special, you are amazing, you are beautiful and most of all you are unique, you are perfect just the way you are.
Tiana Joy Gatula-GittensPublished 3 days ago in VivaAct Like A Lady Think Like A Boss: 5 Tips To Be A Confident, Smart Woman By Lisa Concepcion
Now more than ever, it is so important to teach women how to be more confident, how to feel more confident and smart. I always had an inner confidence. Ever since I was a little girl, I was always friendly, curious about others, open to trying new things, and always upbeat and smiling.
MorningLazzinessPublished 3 days ago in VivaPolish Barbie and a Deeper Authenticity
Growing up, it was easy to know the things I thought I wanted: a dog of my own, pointy crayons, stuffed animals, a diary with a lock and key, and real Barbie paper dolls. Of course, I look back on this grand desire of wanting authentic Barbie paper dolls and I know why. Who wouldn’t? This wonder woman with the impossible figure, perfect hair, and such a vast array of careers that she alone could blow up LinkedIn? Barbie was, and very well might still be, the paragon of Cool and Smart. A model of Beauty and Sophistication. Fun and Adventure. Confident and Talented. What’s not to want?
Kennedy FarrPublished 3 days ago in Viva
Why Hormonal Birth Control Is Doing More Harm Than Good
Why Hormonal Birth Control Is Doing More Harm Than Good It's completely acceptable for you to want to take some form of birth control if you're not ready to have children. However, you may want to steer clear of hormonal birth control methods and look to other methods to help yourself. The following are some reasons that hormonal birth control is doing more harm than good.
Maggie BloomPublished 4 days ago in Viva
