Who wears short shorts?

My legs have not actually seen the light of day for a few decades. Last summer I was bold enough to start wearing dresses and skirts again (all below the knee). I figured I'm middle-aged, it's too damn hot to feel self-conscious, and it's about time I got over myself. It's been a journey.

I mentioned in my post the Lies We Tell Ourselves that I believed I was meant to have big tree stump legs. I was told as a kid that I was big boned. Then I was told once in high school by some dude I rejected that he didn't like my legs in shorts. And for some god-awful reason those words have echoed in my mind ever since. Oh the power of a mind with unhealthy thoughts.

I used to joke that I should have been an Asian Olympic speed skater cause I had the leg muscles for it. And I did. Having danced ballet as a kid, and my tomboy self playing sports in school, and then kickboxing in my late teens, and dancing all night long in combat boots during my party days - I had muscular legs. Even as I got hardcore into running in my mid-30s, I had strong legs, but I never dared show them.

This "I'm meant to have big legs" story I told myself for decades. I believed it so much that a few years ago when my kids asked me why don't I wear shorts in the heat of summer, I simply said that I felt my legs looked better in pants (and cause truth be told I didn't want them to see me judging my body so poorly).

Due to my weight-loss transformation, I've had to invest in some new clothes. Clothes are fun again! I'm trying to pace myself cause it's a lot to have to buy cause my shape has changed so drastically, and it's a challenge doing it all through online shopping due to Covid.

My partner encouraged me to get jean shorts. Now those are not anything that were on my clothing radar to buy, but I thought why not? It's a new me, I'm loving my new shape, be brave, and give it a go!

This picture was me trying on the jean shorts for the first time back in February. Hence the sweater. I put heels on cause I was feeling Beyonce/Sasha Fierce - Crazy In Love. LOL!

I've lost more weight since this picture was taken and my legs have slimmed down even more. The jean shorts I bought, all three pairs sit low on my hips now.

This pic is proof to myself that I don't have big tree stump legs.

Today's weather was a beautiful and sunny 18 degrees and I wore jean shorts today for the first time since my late 20s.

As I was out for a walk with my doggie Domino, I got a few looks from some men out walking their dogs and/or driving by with the windows down. I could tell it was simply I caught their eye cause I was wearing shorts - it's a spring/summer time phenomenon where people notice uncovered skin again, happens every year. Still it was something for me to get that level of attention at this age.

The best part was feeling the sun's heat on my legs though. Such warmth and freedom!

I know some will think it's trivial and superficial (I'm posting about jean shorts for god's sake) and I get that some will say "she's thirsty" in response to this post.

I know the truth though. I know the work I've put in. I know just how far I've come. I've earned this. Again, it's been a journey.