The whole concept of “pulling up my big girl panties” seems to be infiltrating my life, as of late.

I had a friend tell me to pull them up.

I had my attorney tell me to pull them up.

I think my sister told me, too.

Part of the whole phenomenon is that when someone tells me to pull up my ‘big girl panties,” I think two things.

First: I think of some princess panties that any two-year old angel girl would proudly adorn upon recent potty-training.

Second: I jump from princess panties to extra-large granny panties that even the largest granny in us all wouldn’t get caught dead looking at, let alone actually wearing.

So, I’m kinda confused.

Act like a two year old? Act like someone a mini-step away from Depends?

I think maybe someone should tell me to pull on a satin -red power-thong.

Or maybe blank lace bikinis

Perhaps a silver G-string

Even Spanxs would work…aren’t they known officially as the “Power Panty”?

When the world is telling me to “pull up my big girl panties” I think they are telling me to stand strong. To be assertive. To not accept bullying.  To not back down. To be empowered.  To trust myself. To believe in myself. And to get prepared…because the shit is about to hit the fan.

So, if you tell me to pull up my  “big girl panties,” and I think toddler, I am going to throw, scream, cry and potentially even bite.

Or maybe, if I think Granny panties, I might just act like any old repressed granny from years past and sit there and take it.

HOWEVER…..

Tell me to pull up my “Power Panties” – you’ll get someone else.

When life gets hard (and mine has been a bit challenging lately), I don’t want to feel helpless like an old Granny or cry like a toddler.

I want to be strong.

I need to feel strong.

Research has shown that how we dress impacts how we perceive ourselves and our roles in society.

I want the world to see me as strong, confident, able and empowered.

I want to feel all of these things as well.

Big girl panties won’t get me there.

However, finding the right ‘power panties’ will.

So, I won’t tell you what I’m wearing

(that takes the whole awkward to a whole new level)

But, I will promise you it will reflect what I think I should be feeling even though I might not be feeling that way.

I’m thinking tarty and red.