Top Stories
Stories in Viva that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
I didn't want to write this post
I didn’t want to write this post, because I have a story I want to write about a middle-aged woman who … blah, blah, blah. I’m not going to give away plot points here. I also want to write some new jokes for my stand up. And I don’t want to write any jokes about violence against women, whether it is verbal, physical or institutional.
Rachel RobbinsPublished about a year ago in Viva
The Summer Cottage: 4 Stars
The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman tells the story of a woman who finds herself later in life. Through her wish to break free of the chains that have held her back for so long she makes a life-changing decision in order to honor the past of her family and her current desires. Below I've included a brief summary along with my recommendation for Viola Shipman's novel, The Summer Cottage.
Leah LawrencePublished about a year ago in VivaDirt, Debutantes, and Feminine Expectations
I still vividly remember the conversation I eavesdropped on a few years ago from the stands of a youth softball field. It had to be the most “This is so Southern” and also “Am I in the Twilight Zone?” conversation ever.
Cheryl WrayPublished about a year ago in Viva
Body Acceptance
Like most (if not all) women and girls, I have insecurities about my body. I’ve had these insecurities since I was nine years old. I take after the women in my mother’s family, curves everywhere. Even when I’ve been at my skinniest, I’ve had curves. Wide hips, big chest, and always a bit of fat around my belly, thighs, calves and upper arms. I’m 5’5, and my skinniest was 135lbs, wearing a size 2. My weight has gone up, then down, then up, then down, then up again. I’m currently 255lbs, wearing a size 20. I feel the same way about my body now, as I did then. As far as I can tell, those curves and that thickness is always there. The only difference is how obvious it is in photos, how big those curves are. I’ll never have a flat stomach. My arms and legs will never look skinny in proportion to the rest of me. These are facts.
Erin O'NeilPublished about a year ago in VivaBe Your Own Hero
I’ve been pondering the subject of “Be Your Own Hero”. Here in the Western world, and maybe your part of the world also, we were told fairy tales in which a ‘hero’ came along and rescued the fair maiden who was in dire straits, be it a dragon, evil stepmother, witch, sorcerer, greedy king or whatever. This instilled in us as young female children, that we needed an outside influence to rescue us from whatever life brought us that was beyond our control to overcome.
Jean SumrallPublished about a year ago in Viva
Why I will not give up on the Red Dress
She's there. She's always there. Carefully hung in my wardrobe and laying at the back of my mind whenever she feels like to. I sometimes forget about her, and sometimes, I cannot help but worship her. She's me, and I am her. I love and despise her, for I know I should probably forget about her. But I will never, and here's why.
Bérengère BalteauPublished about a year ago in Viva
My Mind An Artist, My body The Canvas
Growing up, I’d revel in all the mysterious ways to make myself beautiful. Straightening my hair, learning how to use eyeliner, plumping my lips, the best overnight cure for a pimple. What outfits were trendy? What made me look amazing? Anything! The world was my oyster when it came to beauty.
Aathavi ThangesPublished about a year ago in VivaB.L.T.
To fully understand my plight, you should know that by the seventh grade, my baby sister had breasts that could rival a pornstar's. They grew in less than a week. On Monday, they were little salt piles that she refused to tuck into a training bra, and come Friday, our apartment was echoing with the sound of shower drizzle mixed with screams of, "Where did those come from?" and, "Mom, shut the curtain! Ohmygod—"
Eilish TooheyPublished about a year ago in Viva
Why Celebrating Fake Mothers on Valentine’s Day Made Me Happy
Dearest Fake Mommies My timing sucks. Sharing this recent enlightenment with you before you died would have been my pleasure. Yet to quote several of you, “Better late than never.”
Suzanne V. TannerPublished about a year ago in Viva
I Met My Partner on Tinder and I'm Not Ashamed Of It
'Wow, it's brave of you to admit that you and your partner met on Tinder,' someone said to me recently. Brave? Not really.
Katie JglnPublished about a year ago in Viva
I am Human, and Nothing Human is Alien to me
In the light of the release of ‘Framing Britney Spears’ documentary, portraying, what seems to be a perpetual tragedy, Spears’ life, I decided to make a little YouTube search and ran across a fan-made documentary series, and the story of Spears’ life shook me.
Autumn RosePublished about a year ago in Viva
What You Shouldn't Say to Single 40-Year-Old Women
We have this uncanny prejudice over older adults. We see them as an oracle for predicting the future. We are annoyingly curious about their lives, knowing what works and how to use the information against them.
Jessey AnthonyPublished about a year ago in Viva
