You know you want to.

Strip down. Right down to your birthday suit. And cruise down mainstreet.

Probably not. Maybe a couple of you do – and if so – more power to you. I think we will all agree, that we currently live in a society – where acceptance is demanded. Every where we look. Love yourself. Love your body. Be comfortable in the skin that you are in. We have went from a time where all females felt like you were supposed to look like a Victoria’s Secret Runway Model, to now – we are told to love ourselves no matter what.

Don’t get me wrong – this is fantastic. Our bodies are freaking amazing. And of course, you want to love and cherish and be comfortable with your own body. Now, I am of the belief that you should dress how you want, cut your hair how you want, wear your makeup how you want – all to make you feel the best version of you. But let me tell you what I have dealt with on my end. And frankly, it needs to stop. If you preach acceptance, believe in acceptance, then do just that. Accept it. I am going to tell you a little bit about myself now, and my beliefs – in the clothing genre.

I am 41 years old. I am 5’9″. I weigh between 135-145, depending on the season. My clothing size is a 4-6. I have a bleach blonde mohawk. I have quite a few tattoos. I have my ears pierced four times on one side – three on the other. And I love it all. I also, am one of the most modest dressers you will ever meet. I don’t wear shorts. I don’t wear skirts more than an inch or so above the knee unless I have leggings on. I don’t wear spaghetti strap tops. And, to top it off, my bathing suit often has more fabric and layers than a burka. But aren’t we supposed to accept each other as sisters, and raise each other up?

When someone, normally a female, starts talking to me about clothes, and showing me bathing suits and things, and I talk about how pretty it would be for someone – More often than not, I get a negative response. To me, it’s negative. To me, it’s an opinion that I didn’t ask for. And then, it normally starts a long explanation as to why. But aren’t we supposed to accept each other as sisters, and raise each other up?

Here is the responses that I have gotten:

• Girl, it’s your body – wear what you want to!?
• That’s weird. Why would you wear a bathing suit that looks like that? I know you aren’t the religion of 19 kids and counting?
• You have a fantastic body – you should show it off!
• Kristie, you aren’t heavy anymore, you don’t have to dress like that.
• It’s not the 1800’s – we can wear what we want!

Yeah, I’m not joking. I get people trying to “peer pressure” me into dressing more scandalous. Now let me explain something, I dress the way I want to because I am comfortable that way. I know what my body looks like. I love the way my body looks. Naked and in clothes. Guess what? I also like to be comfortable. I wear form fitted clothes all the time. I think, I am quite stylish, thank you very much. I also, like keeping my lady bits covered because I am comfortable that way. But aren’t we supposed to accept each other as sisters, and raise each other up?

Here are my responses:

• Girl, it’s your body – wear what you want to!? I am wearing what I want to. This is how I am comfortable. I don’t like shorts. It’s rare I find pants that I like. I’m long waisted. Thick thighed. The effort to find shorts, I’m good. I’m tall. I don’t like showing a lot of skin. But if you like it – go off, sis!
• That’s weird. Why would you wear a bathing suit that looks like that? I know you aren’t the same religion as the “19 kids and Counting” are you? No, I am not. You are correct. I wear a bathing suit like that because I am comfortable. I live in Florida – and I need to be comfortable. If I am at home with my family in a pool – Sure, I’d wear a bikini. No issue. But at Cocoa Beach? Burka style it is. I believe, I carry myself the most confidently, when I am covered. I sit easier. I am not worried about a boob popping out. Mortifying my three children if it did. I just feel better that way. If you want to wear a string bikini that’s a thong – go off. It’s not for me, though.
• You have a fantastic body – you should show it off! Thank you! It has served me well. I feel like I do show it off in a confident and classy way that is comfortable for me. I am sorry – but pulling on a top to keep your boobs in, or tugging on a skirt to keep it down, is not cute.
• Kristie, you aren’t heavy anymore, you don’t have to dress like that. First of all Tammy, I dressed great when I was bigger, too. Actually, I didn’t. But I could when I wanted to. I also got thinner and didn’t dress great. It’s been a process to get where I am. But because I am thinner – doesn’t mean I have to dress with a lot of skin showing, just like because someone is curvier, doesn’t mean that they can’t wear a bikini! It’s our personal choice. Personal. Choice. Which means we pick it. Personally.
• It’s not the 1800’s – we can wear what we want! I know. I am doing exactly that.

I am pretty sure, that guys don’t sit around and say – “Dude, show more tummy and thighs!” or “Don’t wear that T-shirt at the beach with your swim trunks!” I mean, really. I dress the way I do for myself. I don’t cover up because I have a bad body image. I don’t keep everything covered because I feel like it’s against my religion to do so. I feel like, with the way I dress, I am respecting myself, my future husband, and everyone in between. I am comfortable that way. I haven’t always been this way. I definitely don’t believe that everyone should have this mindset. I believe that you should do what makes you feel comfortable. And let everyone else do the same.

Love Fully. Live Fully. Shine On. Sat nam.