body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Dreams Vs Reality
For me being a skinny model was never in the cards. I came from a big family that has always been heavy or "big boned" as some would say. My father was 6'1 450lbs and my mother was 5'2 and just a bit thick. As luck would have it I inherited my fathers genes. I grew big and fast. In one year when I was only 10 I went from 5'4 to 5'10. That doesn't seem like a lot but trust me at 10 it is. The rest of my years growing would be an uphill battle. Not only was I tall but I was thick. I didn't have a butt, however, I had what I later learned was referred to as baby bearing hips. Wide ones. By the time I was in high school I was 6'1 and around 200-215lbs. I was active in sports and played basketball and did weight lifting. You would think that a girl with my height and my athletic build would be pretty fit but when I did the whole BMI thing I found that by being just 1lb over my weight limit for my height I was considered morbidly obese. Those words cut through me like a hot knife through butter. Me? The girl who was always active and always playing sports, morbidly obese!? Wow!
By Nicole Dunham5 years ago in Viva
Phoenix
The tattoo titled “Phoenix” was inspired by an autobiographical piece called “Stand In Your Body” which conveys empowerment, vulnerability, and a graceful strength that only women can have to directly contrast the two archetypes of the "delicate flower" and the "sex symbol". The chakra watercolors represent "Stand In Your Body". Highly saturated colors create a backdrop for white hibiscus flowers which represent the beauty in rebirth and the scent used to nurture femininity and healing from sexual assault.
By Jessica Shepard5 years ago in Viva
Why Fire?
In my tiniest tattoo lies the one with the most powerful meaning for me. It’s also the body art that is most ridiculed or questioned. It isn't the most expertly done one either. Fuego (Fire in Spanish) tattooed in my cursive handwriting. I never thought I’d get a word tattooed on my body. As a writer, for some reason I never wanted to mark my skin with words. I wanted to decorate it with art.
By Chris Stratton5 years ago in Viva
Mensuration and My Body Love
Excruciating mensuration pains kept me in bed all day Saturday. Sweating, crying and deep guttural moaning. It feels good to bleed 🩸 but the pain is immense. I love being connected with my body and allowing it the natural courses it needs to take, especially when it forces me to be present with my pain, looking it in the eye and feeling every inch of visceral shedding. When I can I avoid pain killers so I can support every part of myself, especially with pain. Pain is important, its designed in our bodies for a a reason. Living in a society that runs from pain is toxic and unnatural, numbing us to the sensations of life. Without pain what do we have to compare it to when we want joy? I am grateful to my body for supporting and holding me together (literally), for taking me places and for growing with me as I journey through life. For communicating to me the things I need, even when I don’t always listen.
By Heather Naomi5 years ago in Viva
Too Close
I was 18 years old during the summer of 2009. My family and I were off to Disneyland for a week-long vacation. I had a lot of fun throughout the week until the very last night. I was on my way to the hotel room after having a smoke. I had just come out of the elevator when someone approached me. He was wearing a solid white cook uniform and he rushed up to me to ask if I wanted to drink that night. I figured I might as well get drunk since it is the last night.
By Violet Holt5 years ago in Viva
5 Things You Should Know During Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Created with: INTIMINA.
Sometimes the things that are the hardest to talk about are the most important conversations for us to have. Unsurprisingly, cancer is one of those often-avoided topics. Discussions about cancer can be uncomfortable, unsettling, or sad. However, sharing information, offering support, and promoting community make these conversations invaluable.
By Jules Fortman5 years ago in Viva
Sour Apple Tears
November of 2008, Thanksgiving day rolled around, which also happened to be my 18th birthday. No party. No special plans. No company even. My friends were away with family for the holiday. Dinner at my house wasn’t anything too special. I finished my plate of the typical, traditional food, and locked myself in my bedroom for the night.
By Violet Holt5 years ago in Viva
Dealing With Unresolved Trauma
Trigger Warning: This story contains contents that may trigger others from past trauma. To be vulnerable is to trust and trusting others is my weakest spot of my heart. However, in time life has changed me in ways that help my experience become more 'explainable.'
By Dez's Public Journal 5 years ago in Viva
Please Don't Hurt Me
His name was Keith Bridden, with eyes so blue that they sparkled and thick, dark hair. I watched him for days while I worked as a cocktail waitress, trying not to be too obvious, but noticed he was smiling at me every time I looked his way. He'd noticed, and my heart skipped a beat in my chest just imagining what it would be like to touch him.
By Denise Willis5 years ago in Viva
