Summer is Here. Find Your Shorts.
I’m wearing shorts now. That’s it. I’m doing it.
For the past two decades, I wouldn’t do it. No shorts.
The temperate climate I live in allowed me to wear jeans all the time. That’s all I wanted to wear anyways — just jeans. So, jeans it was.
Shorts are so annoying. They’re never the right length or rise. The inch up where you don’t want them to. They inch down where they’re not supposed to. The fabric is almost always wrong.
Pleated? No. Side pockets? I don’t think so.
Find a pair you like. Buy two.
If I happened to find a pair that fit, I’d go outside in them and realize how white my legs were. Like, so white. Embarrassing. I live in Southern California so everyone is tan. It’s a full-time job for some people.
But all the self-tan lotion I’ve ever used smells like a summer day gone wrong. It’s also too much effort.
But now — I don’t care. This summer, I don’t care. I found a pair that fits, so I bought them twice.
My feet were stupid tan — sandals and jeans will do that. So, tan feet and white legs. — oh well.
I’m wearing shorts every day now.
Cloudy? Shorts.
Hot? Shorts.
Rainy? Shorts.
I’m going to wear shorts to dinner and shorts to the breakfast table — it’s on. I don’t care if my legs are white or tan. I don’t care if shorts are appropriate or not. It’s what I do now. I wear shorts.
“I just wear shorts”
Having bare legs used to feel so awkward. Why are my legs out? Is this weird? Now, I don’t care. I’ve changed my mind. I will wear shorts all the time.
Jeans will go back in the closet drawer — reserved only for the coldest days and travel. Other than that, it’s shorts forever. Now that I found a pair that fits, I will buy every color. They will go with everything.
People will marvel at how cute my shorts are.
“Don’t you ever wear jeans?” They’ll say.
“No, I just wear shorts,” I’ll reply.
You can’t work too hard in shorts
Formerly reserved for school children, shorts are where it’s at. Wear shorts and a sweatshirt. You’re warm and cool at the same time. Pair them with Vans sneakers, and now you’re hip. Wear them with sandals for the ultimate day at the beach.
No more shunning shorts. I’m wearing them full-time. No more hiding behind jeans. Wearing shorts feels like you’re cruising through a summer day no matter where you are.
Don’t work too hard!
I can’t. I’m wearing shorts.
You can never be too serious or work too hard in shorts. They’re your ultimate casual friend. Once you embrace them, you’ll never go back. You will fill your closet with shorts. You’ll go to weddings in shorts. People will think you are easygoing because you only wear shorts.
The power of shorts
We’ll start a movement. A movement of shorts-wearers. Everyone will want to join once they understand the power of shorts. We will not hide behind copious amounts of fabric. Our legs will be free. Free to soak up the sunshine. Free to be who you are.
Do what you please.
That’s the power of shorts.
No one can judge you now — they’ll see you in shorts and understand your might. It’s an unspoken thing. The power of shorts. It will feel weird at first, exposing all the extra leg, but it will soon become your superpower.
See you out there
Embracing shorts is just the beginning for me. What else was I missing out on? Dresses? Too early to tell, but that one’s still on the hard “maybe” list. Most don’t have pockets and are no good if you have to climb something.
That’s why, for now, I’ll stick to shorts.
I’ll see you in the sunshine, friends.
Kit Campoy is a freelance writer based in Southern California. She’s covered company profiles, cryptocurrency, and interview pieces for online publications. When she’s not writing she’s usually traveling, walking her dog, or drinking coffee. Connect with Kit on LinkedIn, DeSo, and Twitter.
Follow The Orange Journal so you don’t miss a post. Do you love to write about self-improvement and personal development? Learn how to be added as a writer here. 🍊
