Thongs, YES YOU CAN WEAR THEM!

Hello UNB Crew!

I am very excited to be here among the UNB family (and to finally receive an outlet for all the pent up conversations I’ve been dying to have about underwear lol). I hope you enjoy my first post, which is all about empowerment and the amazing effect underwear can have. Together, we will take a journey that will make you laugh, cry, and at times experience a strong feeling to purchase a new pair of undies via UNB Store. And you are highly encouraged to do so. Onwards now!

Two weeks ago I was catching up with a good friend of my husband and I through text. He was at work and during our chat, he sent a random message complaining about how his boxers were bunching up and it kept happening all day. I quickly shot back he’s one step away from a thong so he might as well just start wearing them. After he sent me a laughing gif he followed up with something through our light-hearted exchange, which has really stuck with me. Summarizing on his behalf (he’s detailed lol), he said no one would benefit from him wearing a thong and besides, he’s not in good enough shape to wear one anyway. 

I was really taken aback because, while my friend has had a difficult time coming to terms with himself, I know that any guy (or girl) would be thrilled and blessed to have him as a significant other. Sure, he isn’t built like a gym rat or 90s model, but he is gifted in other areas – both physically and mentally. He truly has a ton to offer and gives so much of himself to his community. I asked him why he thinks he couldn’t pull it off, thinking maybe someone tore him down or something happened, but nope. He was adamant that no one had ever made fun of him for looks or appearances; his inhibition was the sole product of self-doubt. 

He only recently started opening up more and exploring his identity which I am thrilled for him to be doing. We all know how becoming yourself, and more importantly being honest with yourself, is to the human journey. What smacks my empathy muscle head-on is the fact that this journey should be about the possibilities and exploration, not standing on the edge of the pool wanting so badly to jump in but stopping because you think the water won’t like you. I know he so badly wants to try one too with how much he likes to talk underwear with me, specifically my pairs (it’s all he asks about lol), but won’t let himself because of what he sees in the mirror. Here is a guy that after 35 years of not letting himself be him, is finally opening up and looking for who he truly is. And now, because of his inner perception and a mirror, won’t put on a cut of underwear that isn’t even seen by anyone.

I had a troubled time coming to terms with my own sexuality. It’s a long road that resembles something like a bowl of spaghetti with its seemingly endless turns and twists. It’s funny looking back as underwear was truly the doorway that helped me get there eventually. But one of those twists in life I ended up taking resulted in me deciding to live my life for me and for nobody else. I knew that I ended up where I was because I was letting my perception of others drive what I did and didn’t do. No more – I decided after 23 years it was time to do me. And I haven’t looked back since. 

I’m happy to report while he still hasn’t taken the dive yet, he was able to own the fact that it was a personal issue and that no one had in fact ever told him anything to make him think otherwise. I’m still pushing him to take the dive because I know he’d look amazing in one, but more importantly, I know that when I started wearing thongs I started to love myself. And I want that for him. And I want that for all of you. I have come to appreciate in my short 28 years on this world that time is fleeting. Why waste another day thinking you aren’t good enough? I challenge everyone to instead embrace you and everything you are. Call it a personal belief, but fellas I think there is plenty of negativity in the world that we face daily. Let’s not carry that inside us though. Let’s be the start of the change that embraces our true selves and others as well. Next time you’re perusing the UNB Store or the local shelves and skip over something because you think “I couldn’t pull that off” go back and take a second look. Unless it’s a true sizing problem of course, really think about what’s stopping you. Love you for who you are and celebrate that in the best way possible – which of course is in that skimpy pair of underwear you are looking at!