Authenticity

This is just a short epiphany but…

Now that we’re moving back toward social events, in an odd twist of fate, I am actually get excited about going to events.

Now, on one hand, it could be a rebound reaction from our 2 years in the house during the pandemic, but I don’t think that’s it, by itself.

I now live in a space where I am able to embrace my masculine of center aesthetic. And in that embracing comes comfort. I dress how I am comfortable. I am comfortable with being a woman with a masculine aura. That’s the best way I can describe it. I get great pleasure in stretching the limits of wardrobe, pairing a women’s blouse with a tie or an ascot.

If I felt societal pressure to wear a dress and stockings or even to only shop in women’s stores…I don’t know…I do know, I would be miserable.

It makes me think of a time a few years ago that Western High, the oldest all female high school, decided to allow it’s graduated to deviate from the formal length white dress for graduation to allow for the option of a white tuxedo. (It may not have been that formal, but you get the idea, it wasn’t just some white pants.) There was an uproar, ironically, I’d swear the uproar came more from non Western alumnae. But having had the experience of graduating in an ankle length gown, yes, if I had to, I would do it again, but I would have enjoyed the experience so much more with the freedom to choose.

Seeing young people go to prom in attire that represents their authentic self brings me tears of joy. Until you have the experience of not feeling like you fit into society’s idea of what your aesthetic should be, you can’t understand the anguish.

I wonder how many cantankerous people are really not mean but are just miserable because they’re trying to conform to other peoples ideals of who they should be.

It is my hope for each of you reading this that you are able to live as your authentic self and walk your truth!