Real Life - Mamamia

'My mum had a mental breakdown 5 years ago. She still hasn't recovered, and neither have I.'

Magda was forced to be a block leader at Auschwitz. But she still found a way to save hundreds of lives.

"I thought I'd bonded with my partner's ex. Then she texted me calling me 'disgusting'."

'I found out I had cancer hours before my hen's party. I planned my wedding in nine days.'

'I have been in survival mode for the past two years and I am not okay.'

"He'd tell me I was cold." I was newly married but sex with my husband felt increasingly off.

"I adopted a sick shelter dog. When he got better, his previous owners wanted him back."

Nicole Vandeboom

'When I got COVID, my parents asked me not to tell anyone.'

'I've been told I have no right to children.' What it's like to be a trans woman in Australia.

Elizabeth Walker

'My best friend Samantha was a serial “other woman”. One night, she tried to steal my husband.'

'I put up with abuse from my ex for more than 15 years. I'm now facing the messy truth of why.'

"We have felt a lot of love." 6 women share how they're celebrating Christmas in isolation.

'I just found out my entire family has to isolate on Christmas Day. In a weird way, it's a relief.'

I've been told I'm beautiful my whole life. I promise it's not a good thing.

An expert's guide to surviving Christmas when you don't like your family.

“Nine years ago, I had my last ever drink on Christmas Day. It took me 25 years to get there.”

'The Saturday before Christmas, I got the call. My mum and stepdad had drowned.'

Nikki Parkinson

'I was a victim of coercive control. When I reached out for help, no one listened.'

Kirat was in a 10-year online relationship with 'Bobby'. But his real identity was sinister.

'This year I've gained weight. I'm already dreading the comments from my family at Christmas.'

Mary Rose Madigan

'I've been sexually assaulted multiple times. Every time, it was by a "likeable" man.'

Mary Rose Madigan

“I’m here to normalise death care": Why we can't look away from 'mortician TikTok'.

'I don't know how long I can sustain it.' I'm a pro basketball player. I also have a full-time job.

Rachel Brewster

Emily turned Edward down for a date 30 years ago. He's stalked her every day since.

'I frequently get sent unsolicited d*ck pics. My male friend tried to blame it on me.'

Mary Rose Madigan

'My 4-year-old son was killed by a car. I never want another mum to go through it.'

'I was told to wear a shorter skirt.' What it was really like working Parliament House for 3 years.

'I had no money to feed my kids.' My abusive relationship left me homeless.

Advice

"I have 2 kids in primary school. Here are 4 ways we're doing back-to-school shopping differently this year."

Leanora Wagstaff

'Just do the thing': 4 women on the biggest goal they ever set for themselves and how they achieved it.

Shannen Findlay

From allergies to play dates: 7 parenting hacks to get you through the social season.

13 women anonymously share the worst career advice they've ever received.

Shannen Findlay

Just 4 ways to level up your next socially-distanced picnic.

Eleanor Katelaris

"8 women told me their best no-BS advice on buying a house.”

Mary Rose Madigan

"I cannot and will not forgive or forget." The life lesson from Holocaust survivor, Eddie Jaku.

Jessie Stephens

7 women told us what being bold looks like in your 20s, 30s and 40s.

Mary Rose Madigan

Holly Wainwright: A list of my non-negotiable 'I do's'.

Holly Wainwright

"The moment I knew my phone addiction had gone too far."

Billi FitzSimons

28 women on what they wish their younger selves knew about sex.

"Choose the bigger life." 30 women on the advice that changed their life.

'I've spent 30 years not knowing how to dress. Here's what I learnt when I asked for help.'

"Don't do what I did: 10 terrible mistakes I made in my 20s."

Jessica Wildfire

"Run the dishwasher twice." The life advice to follow when you're at your lowest.

Jessie Stephens

The 5 commandments of improving your skin while you sleep.

Is it normal to have spotting during pregnancy? 9 red flags you should never ever ignore.

"People are not mind readers." 21 lessons everyone should learn before their 40th birthday.

"There is continuous deliberate hurt." 5 telltale signs that your relationship is over.

"Don't buy silk." 20 lessons everyone should learn before their 30th birthday.

Jessie Stephens

When Rhoda's twin sister Lois was murdered, police said she was 'better off dead'.

"I don't want to give bullies any material." Urzila Carlson on the jokes she chooses not to tell.

When Anthony Albanese was 14, he learnt his mum had lied about his father's death.

Chelsea McLaughlin

Grace Tame on the unspoken reality of being Australian of the Year.

LGBTQI

'We thought it was going to be easy': A queer couple's IVF journey.

Shannen Findlay

'I've been told I have no right to children.' What it's like to be a trans woman in Australia.

Elizabeth Walker

Why stylist Deni Todorović came out to their family twice.

When Sophie Cachia started dating women, her friendships suddenly changed.

"It saves lives." Three women on what Mardi Gras means to them.

"Respect our pronouns": 10 ways to be a better ally to non-binary and trans people.

'Gender conversion 'therapy' is a public health crisis. I know this because I lived it.'

'I knew I was a woman from the age of 7. I didn't start living as one until I was 46.'

Victoria is about to pass "the world's most significant achievement" on gay conversion.

The 6 biggest myths about lesbian sex we all need to stop believing. Like, right now.

Lacey-Jade Christie

"I was so ashamed of my feelings." Why Netflix's The Prom is the film I needed growing up.

"We wanted to become mums and our journey to parenthood was a little different to most."

"A new kind of conversion therapy." Why everyone is talking about J.K.Rowling... again.

'Sara Hegazy was jailed and tortured for a photo. It could have been me.'

'If there's one thing to learn from the Wilson Gavin tragedy, it's tolerance. On all sides.'

"Completely terrifying": When Magda Szubanski realised she was gay, she broke down.

'I'm intersex. It was a secret my parents kept from me for 17 years.'

Narelda Jacobs was pushed into her first marriage. 20 years later, she had to fight for the right to a second.

'We need to talk about the fear that every gay man of this generation still carries.'

The love of Elizabeth Gilbert's life died 10 months ago. But she still calls her every day.

"We live with his guilt." Melissa's son made a choice that cost 5 lives, including his own.

Megan Gale miscarried at 9 weeks. Lying there waiting for her procedure, she was recognised.

'After my stillbirth, I requested time off work. It was declined.'

'I spend my days handling dead people. This is what it's taught me about living.'

Emma Jane Holmes

Exactly ten years on, Brittany Murphy's mysterious death is still haunting Hollywood.

"You're grieving someone that you didn't even get to see": Heather Maltman on the heartbreak of miscarriage.

"I've never been loved like that before." Robin Bailey on life after Sean Pickwell's death.

"It still hurts." Libby Trickett on the 'weird grief' of early pregnancy loss.

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"I was driving down the highway at 2am when the police pulled me over and asked me why I was alone."

"My adult child was suffering, but I had to step back for my own health.”

Louisa Simmonds

'I cried the day he died.' My complicated relationship with the man who abused me.

'On the outside, I had the perfect life. But I was putting on an act.'

'I knew I was really sick. But all doctors did was fat shame me.'

'I never thought I'd live on welfare. And then I was a victim of domestic violence.'

EXCLUSIVE: As a police officer Sharon attended DV calls daily. Then she'd go home to an abusive partner.

"I lost my son just after his 13th birthday. This is what grief has taught me."

'My friend Jessica Michalik died at a festival when she was 15. It was entirely preventable.'

'My mum has lost over $1 million on the pokies. It's destroyed our family.'

'I spent my most formative years as a born-again Christian. This is what it was really like.'

'Grief is never ending.' Kate lost her mum two years ago. This is what she's learned since.

'I had a missed miscarriage. Here are 5 things I wish I'd known.'

Elisabeth Woodward

"Mum, everyone gambles." Sandra's son started placing the odd bet. Soon, he'd lost $70k.

'We need to talk about the mental load of separation.'

“What's that on your face?” My whole life, I've been constantly reminded of my birthmark.

'During sex, a man removed his condom without telling me. He tried to laugh it off.'

Mary Rose Madigan

'We can't unsee what we see.' The reality of working as a child protection caseworker.

'I worked in Parliament House for 3 years. Here are some of the things I witnessed.'

MIA FREEDMAN: 'I've known Lisa Wilkinson for 30 years. Here's what the public doesn't know about her.'

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