Why Wearing Pretty Underwear Matters

Do you ever have a morning when you wake up and from the get-go you feel 'eh' or "so-so?"  I mentioned in my first post how I so defiantly scribbled away in my Econ class fall of 2013 about pretty underwear... Well, without any further delay... Here it is, folks! :)

"I woke up this morning feeling fairly so-so.  As a college students it's socially acceptable to wear sweatpants pretty much every day of the week, but I try to avoid them when I can because I know I feel better about myself by simply pulling on a pair of jeans.  I had a conversation recently talking about sweatpants vs. jeans.  My friend made the comment, "Yah, I never pull on a pair of sweat and think, 'Oh! I look so good today.'" Nope, I just do not think that happens to us average women.  That said, I do have one tip that all women should heed. No matter what kind of pants you choose to put on in the morning - wear pretty underwear!

Yes, I am aware this sounds like a silly thing to do, but pulling on a pair of cute panties can affect your whole day.  It's proven true in my life, and I'd bet it would in yours as well!  Here's a personal story:  A few Wednesdays back I was having a terrible, no good, very bad day.  Everything seemed to be going wrong for no reason.  At about 2:00PM (and after several ranting sessions) I went to the restroom and saw the problem - ugly undies. 

To be clear, the pretty panties are for no one but yourself.  Do not think that I'm suggesting you need to show off your favorite lacey pair, except maybe to your best gal friends.  No, wearing pretty panties is for Y-O-U!  In this culture it is so easy to look in the mirror and be unsatisfied with what you see.  Earlier I used the word average to describe myself, and I'll go out on a limb and guess that many reading this would identify with that adjective or would choose one that is worse.  I wish I could say we are all as beautiful physically as the models and actresses we see on T.V. but I can't.  I will never be a size 2, but I don't want to be.  I wish I could say my crazy curly hair fell perfectly each day, but it doesn't  I SO desperately wish my face would clear of imperfections; why do they tell us acne ends after high school?  I have a healthy dose of self-image issues, BUT putting on my favorite pair of silk paisley panties changes my mood entirely. 

Ladies, we're not called to be or look perfect.  Yet, we must know that we are all beautiful because we are all so unique.  No two of us are the same (even those identical twins are spectacular in their own way).  Treasure who you are and buy those pretty panties!!

AND! To encourage my readers, the first person to leave a comment with a description of their favorite pair of undies OR a day when pretty panties really made a big difference will receive a $10 gift card to their favorite specialty underwear store (arie, Victoria's Secret, etc.) in the mail!  If I don't have your contact information, I will email you! :)

Best,
RC

Why...

...I started this blog.

I am a twenty-something with something to say.  It seems like the thing to do these days is to start writing online; in reality, this blog is a long time coming.  October of 2013 I found myself sitting in my Economics class feeling pretty low about myself and the way I looked.  I began scribbling away in my notebook about pretty underwear, which will be my next post.  I specifically remember my professor getting all riled up that I was "working on homework for another class," so I chose to blatantly ignore her and continue writing.  It was probably a bit childish, but that was the moment I chose to start a blog - over 8 months ago. 
 
The main goal of my posts will be to answer those little questions I know I (and several of my dear girl friends) have about being a woman.  I will answer why.  You may not find my writing witty, funny, or inspiring, but if even one woman reads this and it helps change her perspective about herself and her identity then I will be tremendously happy.  Long story short, most of my posts will concern the complex being that is a woman's body image, self-confidence, and identity and how the American society can so negatively impact the ways in which we look at ourselves.  Some of my writings may be silly or just a quick jot of my thoughts while others dig more deeply into what is certainly true of each and every woman.  I am a lover of the Lord, of that fact I am not shy.  I want women across the world to know and believe what God says about them, but sometimes the best way to communicate that truth is not through a direct verse from the Bible.  I believe sometimes that truth can be realized through a dash of humor and a bit of passion. 
 
The rest of this post will be a bit of background information on who I am and where my self-image journey began; it is highly personal information.  I am sharing my story in hopes to allow you (the reader) see my own struggles that you may be able to relate with me.  If you're not interested in reading onward, look out for my next post! -RC
 
I am the oldest girl in my family, but I have three biological older brothers.  I played sports and developed into quite the athletic build.  Thin and muscular, no doubt, but not pretty by any means of the word.  Having four brothers didn't help the matter.  Early on the boys picked out certain physical features about me that they decided were worthy enough to make fun of on a regular basis.  "Five Head." "Ape legs." "BIG, no HUGE Nose." These statements, made in light, had long-lasting impacts on the way I viewed (and occasionally view) myself.  On top of the insecurities provided by my brothers, I also felt as though my crazy, curly hair was hideous, my skin was too pale, and my thighs were thunderous.  All throughout high school I compared myself to my much more beautiful gal-friends who always had boyfriends or at the very least interests.  The lack of desired attention I was receiving in that department set those self-esteem bars even lower.  By the age of 17 I hated myself and everything about my looks.  I do not say this to receive pity nor do I want anyone reading this to think, "She was skinny...How could she think she was ugly?"  That's the thing: we all have our fair share of body image issues.  Those issues manifest themselves in many different ways for every woman; it is not a contest to see who feels worse or better about themselves.  Whenever we look in the mirror we each see something incredibly different than the next person. That said, I know for me, it resulted in a deep rooted hatred for the way I looked. 
 
For now, that is what I choose to share.  This is my baseline; this is where my journey began.
 
Best,
Renèe
 
Me (on the right) in 8th grade... not sure much has changed!