Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

When You Feel Bad Because He's Nice. Top Story - December 2017.
I’m sure, at one point or another, we’ve all experienced the guilty sensation we get from not really liking someone even though they’re nice. If you’re someone like me (until very recently), you might not know what to do in these situations. I’ll admit, I’ve carried on week-long conversations, I’ve gone on dates, and I’ve even kissed someone because I felt bad rejecting the person because he was nice. I know more than a few women who’ve gone so far as sleeping with someone because they didn’t really see a way out of it without offending the guy and they didn’t want to do that because he was nice.
By Jessica Rowe8 years ago in Viva
I'm Just Not Fun Anymore
As we grow up, we go through many stages of life, the good times and the bad, the hard times and the easy. And ultimately — the fun times, and the not so fun times. But if we're lucky enough, we find someone to share all of those experiences with. And hopefully, this person will be with you through the thick and thin, loving you for the person that you are. I really wish this for each and every one of you. And I also wish that throughout your life you'll be able to shut down bullshit propaganda ads like the one below from Durex.
By Shana Nizeul8 years ago in Viva
The Woman in the Shop
I always find it easy to write, and what better thing to write about than the workplace? Everyone has their moments at work; after all, we spend a "painful amount of time" at our workplaces.
By Jane Jade8 years ago in Viva
Just Good Friends?
There has been much written on the Friendzone, and its counterpart the Fuckzone, by people of all genders and opinions on this dismal dichotomy. Experiencing the horrors of this trap is shitty for all concerned. In the interaction between two humans, one suffers rejection and refuses to deal with it, and another has to work around a set of feelings and expectations they never asked for. And there are the bystanders, the friends and allies of either party, sometimes helping, sometimes enabling.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in Viva
Why #MeToo Succeeds and Fails
I may not have a #MeToo story, but I know that it may be harder for women to get a job anywhere sexual harassment or assault may be rampant because of one thing: it's male dominated.
By Heather Wilkins8 years ago in Viva
I Hate Washing Up
Below is an excerpt of a sober Saturday whinge from a sad, single slob... I hate washing up even more than a hangover because at least that disappears after an Alka-Seltzer, a coffee, and a fry up. All of which — by the way — contribute to making washing up even worse.
By Clare Freeman8 years ago in Viva
Sexual Abuse
Statistics... Are they correct or are they just a guess based on some guy that has a degree in accounting and predictions? Who knows, right? Well in this case, from the photo above, it's facts, proven on things that have happened and that are continuing to happen. Sexual abuse is something that gets pushed under the rug often. We need to address it. Once it's addressed, go to the source and get that issue out in the open. There is nothing like public humiliation. Let's get into what it's like to be a victim.
By Friday Vibes8 years ago in Viva
Open Letter to My Abuser
You probably haven’t thought about me at all in the past five years, but I think about you constantly. And the more I think about you, the more time that passes, I begin to realize that you were the awful one and not me.
By Mina LeAnn8 years ago in Viva
And My Family Loved Him
My first serious relationship, but not first love, was actually my fourth. I was 16 years old in the 11th grade and he was in the year above. He was my friend before he was my boyfriend. We'd hang out and go for walks and just laugh. He'd pick me up in his car and my mom would be mystified that I was at the age now where my boyfriend could drive. I enjoyed the time I spent with him, our jokes and pranks, but I didn't love him. Something kept me from loving him. But he loved me and I liked that.
By O8 years ago in Viva
I'm a Rape Survivor. Here's Why the Silence Breakers Give Me Hope
Time magazine recently released its choice for the 2017 Person of the Year. This year, Time made the rare decision to not give the title to one individual, but multiple people—a group of people, mostly women, that are being referred to as “The Silence Breakers.” This is a title that Time has given out for the past ninety years, but it wasn’t until 1999, less than twenty years ago, that the title was changed from Man of the Year to Person of the Year.
By Elizabeth Brandon8 years ago in Viva
I Think You're Fat... I Can't Date You
Everyone has a type. It’s normal to be attracted to different body types, different colored hair and so on. But when does it go from “you are not my type” to a completely rude and bully-like statement? How many of us have experienced shaming only because of the sole appearance of, well, YOU.
By Dasha Ilazarova8 years ago in Viva
Learning To Love Yourself: Part 1
"Your body is a wonderland." Great words spoken by none other than John Mayer, a man with a "normal" or "perfect body", but little did he know my body wasn't a wonderland. My body was ugly, messy, and dysfunctional.
By Grace Xtra8 years ago in Viva