Top Stories
Stories in Viva that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Silver Hair and Silver Linings
Women regularly come under fire when they decide to show themselves as they are and leave society's expectations aside. And nothing says, "I don't care about social rules" like letting your silver hair shine wild and free. Even if you're 29 years old.
Marina FortuñoPublished 4 months ago in Viva
The Mysterious Genital Sculptures That Adorn Britain's Churches
Sheela Na Gigs are seemingly erotic stone carvings of female figures predominately found in Romanesque churches. What's special about them? Well these sculptures consist of an old disproportionate woman squatting and pulling apart her vulva, a fairly strange thing to find in a church.
Kamna KirtiPublished 4 months ago in Viva
Jellybean
“I’ll start my diet on Monday” “I’ll lose the weight next year, I promise” “Once I lose this weight my life will be so much better”. I tell myself these small platitudes and for the briefest of moments, I truly believe them. I think I want to believe them because we’re so conditioned to believe that our worth is tied to our outward beauty.
Miranda Mariana MaloyPublished 5 months ago in Viva
Spirals of Healing
Tears stream down my cheeks as I flip my midnight ringlets back and forth. The Costa Rican jungle has imbued them with a life all their own. This is far from the first time I’ve cried about my hair in a bathroom mirror but it is the first time that they’ve been tears of joy. I am unburdened by limitations, as I realise that in this very moment, I am the most radically authentic version of me.
Dré PontbriandPublished 5 months ago in VivaI Sparkled on My Own Terms
It was my wedding reception. Let me put this into context for my non-Indian readers. An Indian wedding reception usually happens a day after the wedding. It is an occasion when all friends and family, primarily on the groom’s side, come laden with gifts and good wishes for the newlywed pair. In exchange, the guests have a delectable feast.
Rhea DyutiPublished 5 months ago in VivaMy Essence As Woman Is Freedom
We live in a time of extractive patterns. Patterns where the dysfunctions of our relations, with other people and the planet, have become so normalized that we don't even remember what healthy even looks like. Patterns where we run towards what sparkles even faster than we run away from the pain behind us.
Kaia Maeve TingleyPublished 5 months ago in Viva
We, Women
Friday, 11:43pm We stumble out of bars, laughing. The bouncers tossing us out glare at us until we stumble down to the streets. We try to gain composure momentarily. Once the doors slam shut, however, we flip off the bars and burst out laughing once again. Tears streaming down our faces, we tell one another not to jump up onto the stages next time.
Shelby LarsenPublished 5 months ago in VivaNever Underestimate the Power of a Woman’s Voice.
What makes a woman’s voice sound empowered and less like a typical “Karen” wanting to speak with the manager? I’ve been getting in trouble lately with my teenage son for emailing his teachers and administrators, even his basketball coach and director for things I am noticing that don’t sit well with me.
Melissa SteussyPublished 5 months ago in Viva
The Venus Effect
Our world has been turned upside down in the last 20 months or so, in no uncertain terms. We have been blindsided by unexpected events, and felt more collective fear and disempowerment than we have in a long long time. Perhaps in our entire lives. It has not been easy, nor gentle, for we’ve been swept up in a maelstrom of angst in unprecedented ways. And yet, with all the death, destruction and confusion; with all the unceremonious stripping away of dignity, autonomy and deeply held value systems…. something deep in our hearts and souls is galvanizing, even as the body and mind takes shelter.
Julie TaraPublished 6 months ago in VivaTo the Men Giving Me Fitness and Health Advice
First, let me just start by saying thank you to all the men who give me unsolicited help on health and fitness. You know who you are. You’re always present, at every gym. Sometimes, at workplaces. You may be a personal trainer, or a random gym goer.
Taru Anniina LiikanenPublished 6 months ago in VivaLadies, Use Your Period as Your Superpower.
Many women dread that time of the month. Many women constantly complain about cramps and pains. Many women curse elaborately.
Katarzyna PortkaPublished 6 months ago in VivaAn Open Letter to Every Man Who Dislikes the Word 'Feminism'
Often when I have a conversation with a man about feminism, I come across a familiar argument - why must you call it 'feminism'? Isn't that sexist in the opposite way? Why can't you just call it 'equality'?
Aditi BalajiPublished 7 months ago in Viva
