Wear The Happy Pants

When I got these pants a few months ago, I tried them on and almost didn’t keep them.

Oh, I felt “myself” in them immediately - they’re flowy and cute and hippie-ish and feel like butter on your skin. But I almost didn’t keep them because the waistband sucks to my every curve - including the belly pooch from having two babies which, despite my lifelong commitment to healthy eating and joyful movement - seems to not be budging.

I’ve done so much work on healing from body image issues - some of the most unexpectedly liberating moments I’ve had are when I was wearing a bathing suit. But they still creep up, and there are still hurdles to be overcome.

So, a pivotal moment - would I send back the pants that truly make me feel happy and flowy and free because I’m too limited by what I perceive as imperfections? Will I choose to reinforce the horrible, toxic idea that my body isn’t good the way it is now? Or would I learn to be more free?

Honestly, some days I do choose that toxic message. And if breaks my own heart.

No, I won’t do that. And I won’t send that message to my daughters. It stops with me.

And I kept the pants. Now I’m wearing them every chance I get, letting them swish and sway when I walk. Letting their softness hug my legs and waist with kindness. And with every step forward, learning to be a little kinder with myself, too.

So please, wear the happy pants or bathing suit or shirt or whatever.  Wear what feels colorful or stripey or ruffled or flare-legged or fitted.

They’re just clothes. And that’s not of ultimate importance.

But when we feel more ourselves, as the God-breathed humans we are, we have more to share and give and live generously and vibrantly in the world.

And that matters.

Is there a clothing item you have that makes you feel free, more like you? I’d love to know!

P.S. The pants are from Natural Life, and I’ll take one of every single whimsical and colorful thing on their website, please.

P.P.S. Join me in reading Jess Connolly’s book, Breaking Free From Body Shame, as we learn to believe our bodies are good from the inside out.