Hey there, friends – whether you identify as male, female, or nonbinary, and especially to my wonderful partner and the ladies in the public restrooms who understand the spandex struggle: I’ve made a decision. I’m officially giving up shape wear… for good. Sounds dramatic? Maybe, but I’m over it. I’m done with the constant effort to hold everything in. The era of coming home from a night out with body creases that could rival my stretch marks from birthing a ten-pound baby? That’s finished! If you don’t appreciate my real body, that’s your problem.
A Little Background
Here’s a little background. I’ve been hiding my body since high school, even when I was just 100 pounds soaking wet and had nothing to shape up. I distinctly remember sneaking into Target to buy my first girdle – think vintage 1955 grandma vibes. My body image has always been poor, and I’ve been hiding, but the question is: hiding from what exactly?
Let’s Be Real
When I’m out to dinner with my husband as a 42-year-old mother of four, is anyone even looking at me? No. Am I trying to attract a man? Absolutely not! Do I care what other women think of my body? Not anymore. I’ve moved past that. I have far more important things to focus on than whether my stomach looks flat or my backside appears larger. In truth, who really cares about my body? No one!
Shape Wear’s Place
Do I believe shape wear has its place? Yes, I do. It gave me a confidence boost when I was newly postpartum and trying to fit back into my favorite pants. But the last time I wore Spanx, I was so uncomfortable I thought I might be sick. Was it the wrong size? Maybe. Did I sneak off to the restroom, remove them, and hide them in my purse before returning to the table? Absolutely.
Why Do We Put Ourselves Through This?
Why do we put ourselves through this? Why do we continue to buy into diet culture and unrealistic body expectations? It’s time to stop! You don’t need to squeeze yourself into a spandex suit to be beautiful. There’s no need for crash diets, pills, or those outrageous MLM schemes that prey on insecurities. It’s all so disheartening.
Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin
Do you love wearing leggings, jeans, or a dress? You can absolutely do that without shapewear. In fact, you can wear regular underwear or even go commando if that’s your style! Just be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t feel pressured to change for someone else’s standards. If a partner is shallow enough to say they prefer you in shape wear, you deserve much better than that.
Real Love
I’m not the same person I was in high school with low self-esteem and nice curves. My body has gone through significant changes, especially after having that ten-pound baby. But you know what? My husband still finds me attractive because I’m the mother of his children. That’s real love, and he couldn’t care less if I wear shape wear. In fact, he’s probably excited for date nights when he doesn’t have to deal with those pesky undergarments.
Setting an Example for My Daughter
I also have a daughter to consider. She’s only five, but she’s impressionable. She sees me in various stages of undress, but she doesn’t see other women. My body is what she knows as a woman’s body. I want her to love and respect herself, so I need to do a better job of loving my own body.
A Ceremonial Goodbye
In the 1960s, women burned bras, and in the 2020s, I’m ready to get rid of my expensive shape wear. Instead of burning them, I might just ceremoniously bury them in the backyard – we wouldn’t want to cause a neighborhood fire, after all.
Living Freely
So, next time you see me at Target, with my belly peeking over my waistband and my backside looking flat, just know I’m living life freely and happily. I won’t be stopping by the lingerie aisle unless I’m grabbing some Hanes microfiber briefs with a couple of extra pairs for free. And yes, I buy them at least one size too big to make up for all those years of squeezing into the wrong size. Life is too short to let shape wear suffocate you. Enjoy dessert on your next date night – you deserve it!
Related Resources
For more insights on topics related to home insemination, check out this blog post. Also, for expert information, visit this resource about pregnancy. If you want to learn more about cycle phases, check out this site.
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In summary, I’m choosing freedom over discomfort and embracing my body as it is. Life’s too short to be confined by shape wear.