Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

A Love Letter to My Body After 3 Kids
I'm only 28, yet my belly is not as tight as it used to be. My breasts don't sit quite as high, and, if we're being honest, are not even close to being the same size. My nails are more brittle, and I'm starting to see laugh lines appear by my eyes.
By Letitia Lou8 years ago in Viva
Ruined
It all started my sophomore year of college. Fall semester finals had just finished for me and now I was just waiting a couple days to catch the train home for winter break. It's the only reason I went to the party.
By S C8 years ago in Viva
It Is Not Your Duty to Be the Perfect Survivor
1. It is NEVER your fault. Sexual violence is a REAL issue. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or religious preference. It is very easy to blame yourself as well as for others to blame you. The truth is, it is never your fault, plain & simple. It does not matter if you were drunk. It does not matter what you were wearing. It does not matter if you were walking in a dark alley late at night by yourself. The person who commits this horrendous act is solely to blame for their actions, not you. So forget what people may say, forget what society pushes upon you, and forget what the media shoves down your throat. The more people that can stand up against shaming the survivors, the more we can work together to end this epidemic.
By RaeAnna Mercado8 years ago in Viva
More Than Rape
When I was in 7th grade, we read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I was in advanced English and we were expected to be more mature than the rest of the students in our year, so this book was perfect. There was death, discrimination, the n-word was used, and, sadly enough, a rape accusation. However, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the phrase “taken advantage of.” What made this even more absurd was the fact that there was no actual rape in that instance. I understood that to mean you’re being used or cheated, you’re being naive, or you’re simply too ditzy to know what’s going on. Rape is not so benign.
By Jade Bee8 years ago in Viva
The Silence Breaks
2017 has been a rough year. But this video, highlighting Time's Persons of the Year, The Silence Breakers, has legitimately brought me to tears.
By Tarin Campanella8 years ago in Viva
Orchid
The break of dawn comes upon the sky. It is silent and desolate. The only sound is coming from the rustling of leaves and the wind itself. The streets are bare and the buildings lining up the street are isolated. There is no sign of life. Is there anyone here? Suddenly, a girl comes into view.
By Ariel Alonso8 years ago in Viva
#MeToo
I don't share this with people usually because, in the past, whenever I have attempted to, they have felt uncomfortable and asked me not to. But if listening to it makes you uncomfortable, then imagine how I feel having to live with the memory and knowing I can't tell anyone at the risk of making them uncomfortable. I've been ready to break my silence for so long, but no one was willing to listen until now.
By D Burton8 years ago in Viva
How To Water Fast the RIGHT Way!
What You Need to Know Before the Water Fast: During a water fast, you must only consume nothing but water! People normally go through a water fast for religious reasons, to see if they can do it, or for health benefits, but many do not know how to complete a water fast successfully without harming their bodies during the process. This thread is to show you, especially women, on how to prepare your body for a water fast so that you can have a successful water fast and keep the weight off, as well!
By Jakyia Millner8 years ago in Viva
Endometriosis
Way back in 2001 when I was 11, I never dreamed the next 16 years of my life would be filled with the most excruciating pain month after month; I never imagined I would feel the judging glances in the pharmacy when I went to pick up my medication or at camp when I had to explain what the medication was used for because of the stigma of this particular type; I never thought I would miss a mass accumulation of days from work and school because my body was racked with numbing pain; I never thought there could be a name for what I would be suffering with for the next 16 years.
By Elizabeth Kozlowski8 years ago in Viva
The Escape to Find Happiness Part 1
It had been a hard life for young Moira; she had lost her mother to bone marrow cancer which had took her by surprise and now she was left with the brute she called her stepfather. Moira was just 15 years of age when she had to take her mother’s place from cleaning to in the bedroom. The step father was called Robert, he’d won guardianship of Moira although she had protested but due to her age she didn’t have a leg to stand on; she was a minor and needed someone to take care of her.
By Elizabeth spence ( Darby ) 8 years ago in Viva
"Girl Problems"
We all have them. Girl problems. In some way shape or form everyone has got at least one girl problem. Even boys. But the kind of girl problems I'm gonna talk about today though are the ones that only girls can have. And if you're easily grossed out or faint hearted, here's your chance to escape this article unscathed. Proceed with caution! Also sex is mentioned in this article, if you are innocent-eyed and minded—please press the back button before I get in trouble with your parents.Periods are typically uncomfortable, messy, smelly, and sometimes painful. For women with hormonal imbalances that cause problems with it, periods can be even worse. And it makes it hard to tell when there could actually be a problem because every woman is different—so that means... every woman's period is different.
By Hope Martin8 years ago in Viva
Let's Play a Game
I've always said I should write a book about my life. Then again I guess we could all say that. I find it easier to tell my story in bits and pieces, because 33 years is a lot to sum up into one story. This story is true, something that really happened to me. I find a kind of solace in being able to tell my story, as dark and disturbing as it may be, some might say, "Stop I can't hear anymore" I wish that it was that easy for me.
By Megan Vasquez8 years ago in Viva