Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

Reusable Menstrual Pads, my body and me. Top Story - April 2021.
Menstruation, or more widely known as a period, is a general monthly occurrence for girls and women everywhere and is a perfectly normal and natural part of being a glorious woman.
By Kayleigh Taylor5 years ago in Viva
Skinny To Fat
To say I have a complex relationship with my body is an understatement. To be one hundred percent honest, I'm still in denial about it. I was thin for most of my life. My weight would linger between 105 and 115. When I was in high school a teacher threatened to call my mom and tell her she thought that I was too thin. I wish I could say that her words had no impact on me, but they did. I had never thought of myself as too thin because I wasn't starving myself, and no one had ever commented on my weight before. I was eating three meals a day, but I was also exercising for at least an hour a day (including karate lessons). I felt hurt, ashamed, and suddenly aware of my body in a way that I hadn't been before. Why had my teacher approached me in that way?
By Jade M.5 years ago in Viva
He Destroyed My Home.. Top Story - April 2021.
I am writing the following story because I want to let go of something that has made a deep impact in my life. Organizing my endlessly scattered thoughts works best for me when I write them out, so here it goes. It is no secret that I often speak my mind, but I suck at communicating about the really, really, deep things that torment me. I have gotten better but every day is still a struggle. Just to sort of set the stage, I will start off by saying that I am diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 and Adult Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. My story of my experience plays a particularly important role in my mental health. It diminished my ability to communicate, to heal, to be strong and courageous for myself. It turned my entire world turned dark. I have been described as unpredictable, out of control, impossible to manage and crazy. I have been told that I am a monster, and my life is worthless. I have been told that I destroy everything I touch. I conditioned myself to shrink for others, to not upset or defy them. I stayed quiet and bottled everything inside. I smiled and said, “it’s okay”, when really, I just wanted to scream and beg for someone to make the pain stop. I accepted toxicity into my life because I believed that it is what I deserved. Every single person I have ever met knows a completely different version of me. The versions of myself constantly change, as is life. And as a result, I am a variation of factors. Yet, there are only 3 people who know me entirely. Every single secret. Every single insecurity, down to the last detail. Every single emotion, mood swing and trigger. Every single thought and opinion. Every single amount of excruciating emotional and mental pain. Every single trauma. Everything that has damaged me. These 3 people's influence on my decision to finally share my story with the world will be mentioned in my following story. I had held a secret inside of me for 7 years, one that I thought I would never be able to face. I denied it all these years, repressing it so far that I eventually did not think about it at all. All it took for me to finally accept the truth was seeing a stranger’s face in a bar, increasing self-awareness and the compassion, and understanding of very 3 important people. I have finally realized how important I am, not in a cocky way, but in the way that I matter. My story matters, my healing matters, my life truly does matter. I am not staying quiet about who I am and why I am the way I am anymore. And because of this moment of clarity, I am ready to speak about something that happened to me when I was 18. Something that I tried so hard to forget, but ultimately could not escape. This is my story about the night someone stole what was mine.
By Sarah Carver5 years ago in Viva
In Another Life
I scanned the room nervously looking for her. All I knew is that she had red hair and freckles. My roommate, Mike, insisted that I go out with a friend of his girlfriend, Amber. I didn’t really care much for Amber, and the feeling was obviously mutual, so I didn’t quite understand why they would think me and anyone who got along so well with her would mesh at all.
By Patrice Swoope5 years ago in Viva
I Just Wanted a Glass of Wine, Hold the Stalker Vibes
It was a Friday night in September, and I was just getting off a long day of work, at the barber shop. I was covered in other people's hair, and exhausted in every way, shape and form from standing on my feet and listening to strangers problems for eight hours straight. All I wanted to do was put on some sweats, open a bottle of wine, and snuggle up on the couch with my pup, while watching The Golden Girls.
By Danielle Hein5 years ago in Viva
Female Boxing
I’m going to give you all a bit of insight on what I look like. I’m 5’1” mixed White/Latina female, I’m 27 years old, petite-ish (small but i also am fluffy), I dyed my natural brown hair bright red, and I usually have some kind of henna on my body at all times.
By Mae McCreery5 years ago in Viva
The Dress
Want to up your sustainable and responsible living game? Try wearing the same dress for 100 days in a row. You heard me right!
By Cid Rhinehart5 years ago in Viva
Suit Up!
Since January my inbox has been bombarded with well-meaning e-blasts about swimsuits. Because, y’know, it is just so easy to forget that sweltering period of time between May and September when the whole of the South feels like they’ve smeared themselves in Vaseline then bundled up in Saran wrap. “Oh, it’s only 97 degrees with 110% humidity? Silly me and here I was planning to wear my black trash bag!” said no one, ever.
By Alyson Kate Long5 years ago in Viva
Do I Need A Well Women Check
Taking preventive healthcare measures like having regular well-woman checks ensures you remain healthy. The check detects symptoms of diseases before they become untreatable.
By Simon Allen5 years ago in Viva
Women in Power
Retail manager may seem menial to most but to me it is a career in the making. I have not necessarily suffered hardships and oppression but I have suffered from ageism and sexism in regards to my title. This post is meant to shed some light on the thoughts and feelings of one young woman in a leadership role; myself.
By Alexis Hurley5 years ago in Viva
Best women's day gift ideas 2021-22
All the wonderful women around us surely have a significant role in everyone's life. They ensure that we grow professionally and personally, and with us much time without knowing. So, it can be great if you start to appreciate them for all their dedication and selfless efforts. We all already know that materialistic things could never purchase happiness, yet it can indicate to your women that you are putting much effort to get that huge smile on their face. We celebrate March 8 as the International Women's Day, as it is just around the corner, we curated a great list of things which you could give to your mom, wife, friend, sister, girlfriend and colleagues.
By Ashish bairwa5 years ago in Viva
HYDROSALPHINX
HYDROSALPHINX A hydrosalpinx is a blocked, dilated, fluid-filled fallopian tube Hydrosalpinx may occur as an isolated adnexal lesion or as one component of a complex adnexal lesion that has caused distal tubal occlusion . The most common cause of distal tubal occlusion and hydrosalpinx is pelvic inflammatory disease. Other causes include endometriosis, peritubal adhesions from a previous operation, tubal cancer, and tubal pregnancy.
By Shafeena IGX5 years ago in Viva