At the start of this weekend, I took advantage of my first summer Friday by going to a 6 PM yoga class. [I work till 6, so I can usually never make this one.] While stowing my purse in the locker room, I overheard two girls discussing how they had ridden the subway there in their yoga clothes. One of them commented, “Yeah, I felt pretty dumb.”
Um.
Why?
Putting aside the fact that there is quite a variety of ensembles on display on the subway, and yoga pants are not exactly the most exotic of the assortment, I had to wonder why the girls felt such self-consciousness over wearing those clothes in public.
i post my dinners on the internet, so really, i don’t think i can be self-conscious about anything anymore.
That same day, I eavesdropped on another conversation while waiting for the subway. [What? My iPod headphones are broken; I have to amuse myself somehow.] This female pair were discussing a barbecue they’d be attending on the Fourth. One commented to the other, “I hate going to those things. You know everyone is staring at you if you go back for a second cupcake.”
We have to take responsibility for our own lives. If eating two cupcakes at a barbecue that happens once a year makes you happy, you should do it. We have to live without shame, without embarrassment, without self-consciousness. Otherwise, are we really living?
There was extra irony involved in this situation, because this is how I walked past my doorman at roughly 2:15 AM that same night:
art nerds out there? my face was painted by kenny scharf. i will never be the same.
When my friend and I got into a cab with glowing face paint on our trek home, we discussed that we looked obviously ridiculous. And yet we decided, who cares? We walked into our respective buildings shamelessly, because that’s the only way to go through life. I wish those women could be equally proud that they enjoy cupcakes and sometimes want a second one. I wish they could walk through the city in yoga clothes without second thoughts, because taking the initiative to do so before a long weekend is a beautiful thing.
I think taking ownership of and pride in your actions [however absurd they may be: case in point, the photograph above] is a huge part of growing up. Just as I was shameless in day-glo, I am shameless in carrying my yoga mat into my office after a morning class, in dressing in my own way, in proclaiming my need to eat chocolate on a daily basis, in ordering a salad because I like vegetables – even if people judge my motivation.
Currently, I am shameless about my incredibly awkward sunburn, which has me looking like a splotchy lobster today. But I’m living and enjoying my life, and yesterday that involved a perfect day, in a bikini, at the beach. No shame required.
About what are you shameless? Do you ever struggle to take pride in all your actions and decisions?
Related posts:
This is a beautiful post, really. It’s so true, too. We SHOULD not have shame, at all. we should be proud of ourselves for who we are!
I struggle with this all the time. I always rehash on my decisions, and I’m especially self-conscious about my body. This post is so inspiring!
Love,
Alexandra
There are definitely moments I feel embarrassed but wearing yoga pants on the subway — or anywhere else — isn’t one of those times. I spent the entire day in a sports bra and see-through white tank today. Why? Because it’s HOT. Who really cares?
First, did you make those scallops? I’m drooling. I have such a hard time getting a perfect brown sear like that!
Second, I’ll go with being shameless about workout clothes on the subway, since you brought up those wacko girls! I really just don’t care – I’ll ride the subway in a sports bra or booty shorts, drenched in sweat and with gatorade dribbling down my chin, while I rub salt off of my skin. I do make an effort not to, like, sit RIGHT next to someone, but whatever. I’m gross and shameless, I guess.
Shelby,
I did make them! I have no real technique other than my only method of scallop preparation, which is to coat a pan in olive oil, let it heat over medium, and sear them about 2 minutes per side.
Also, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ridden the subway home after a hot vinyasa class without showering at the studio. I try to stand by the door, but yeah. I’m gross too.
your dinner looks delicious- i am obsessed with scallops!!!
& i love this post- it is so true that we should be more confident in our own actions. When I get self conscious about things I know I shouldn’t be, i try to rationalize it in my head and end up feeling a lot better. I realize, if I am happy, whoc ares what a few people might think
i struggle being myeslf around people at school. i try to fit in at school, wear the same clothes, act interested in teh same things as all my school friends, but secretly outside of school i’m a WHOLE lot different. i LOVE musical theatre and have (BIG!!!) passions for certain leading ladies in the West End in London, but i am so afraid to let this show out at school in case people think i’m strange. i do “let out” on my facebook page though and get some strange responses from my school friends…don’t think they understand how i can be passionate about something like that! i’m proud though and proud that i don’t live to get drunk at the weekend etc as they do!
you don’t look ridiculous….well….you do look…interesting hehehe but you look like you’re having a blast, and that is the MAIN THING!! whocares what others think? if we were all the same..life would be SOO boring!!
those scallops do look incredibly tasty xx
Laura,
I’m a huge theater geek, and back in high school I was a total musical nerd too. Embrace it – you’ll stumble upon someone someday that shares that with you too!
Hmmm people are quiet silly! I think live is about happiness and health..why not be open about what you feel confident about?
Maggie
Mybreakfastblog.com
i love how when u get to a place in urself that really confident and u hold urself with high regard and really mature etc…then u listen to average conversations of average people u think “wow, are these people for real” i mean thats exactly how i feel, and i mean i couldnt agree more- exactly, why would she feel stupid for wearing yoga clothes on the bus. its like COME ON PEOPLE! WHAT!?! no one cares!! haha
xoxo <3
I LOVED this post (just found your blog!). I’ve always been baffled by people who have to look a specific way to look “presentable”–i’ve had friends who refused to go ANYWHERE without their hair straightened and makeup done. Meanwhile, i run errands all day long after riding all morning–complete with muddy boots, funny breeches, and helmet hair! Sometimes I feel like i should “apologize” for not caring more about my looks, but honestly, i think we are each entitled to arrange our personal priorities however we want to! Looking “good” or done-up just happens to fall at the end of mine :).