An ode to my leggings: What would I do without your comfort?

I’ve decided to officially give myself a break in the “looking 100% put together all the time” arena.

How? You might ask.

Black leggings.

I will buy more. I will wear more.

Because other pants? Over them.

We have just come out of the other side of a winter filled with snow storms and sicknesses and snots and fevers and isolation. It’s been a bit rough. There was not as much reading books while we were cuddled up with a trendy woven blanket as we would have liked. There was definitely more rushing to Target for Motrin and dashing to CVS for prescriptions and the shoveling of driveways.

Winter is one of my favorite seasons. I love (almost) everything about it, but this year there was a LOT of hard work involved. I need a vacay from this season if you know what I mean. (Spring, be kind to us…please?)

So, I’ve decided to give myself a break. At the moment, I’m not really striving to look any certain way. Instead I’m embracing. I’m saying YES to who I am already.

I am a mom in my thirties now, and I no longer feel compelled to do things I do not like to do.

Like shaving in the winter for example.

Right now I have decided I do not like pants.

Lucky for me, fashion has given me a gift, a thank-you present for putting up with underwire bras: leggings. Leggings do not cramp my style, they don’t question my decision to drink wine. Leggings get it. They say hey girl don’t worry about it, you’re butt feels great, so it looks great.

Leggings know that I’m a mom who doesn’t have time to shower today. Leggings care that this mom belly birthed four (!) kids. Leggings know that I might squeeze in a work out (but they also know that I probably won’t). They know that I’m a wonder-woman stay-at-home mom extraordinaire who just needs to feel her jiggly parts all tucked in while she tucks in her little ones in bed at night.

Leggings don’t judge.

One of the most common things moms struggle with is trying to manage the stress in their lives. Do you know what does not manage stress? Buttons and zippers. Waistbands that dig in. Jeans that are so tight in the thigh region that it’s hard to sit down.

Problem solved: leggings.

Reasons to wear jeans:

You are attending, or taking part in a rodeo.

You are a part of the sisterhood of the traveling pants, and your pants are magic.

You are hoping to restrict your range of motion.

You are John Wayne.

You are painting and you need to wear something to ruin.

You are long boarding on asphalt and forgot your kneepads.

***

Reasons to wear black leggings:

Every other reason.

***

Do you know where it is appropriate to wear black leggings? Everywhere. Attending a wedding? Taking your kids to the Chic-Fil-A play land? Going to bed? They are universal, like the Olympics and Betty White. Same pants, different shoes.

I used to be into designer denim, and I do think I will still pull them out for special occasions like parent-teacher conferences and barrel racing. I have not barrel raced since I was 11, so the odds are in my favor. I think it’s good to wear them occasionally though so I remember what leg prison feels like. Afterwards me and my leggings will dance like Judy Haynes and Phil Davis to celebrate what a beautiful thing we have going.

Jeans, I’m sorry I just don’t have time for your unspoken judgements and expectations. Your unforgiving waist band is rude.

We should break up. It’s not me, it’s you.

In all seriousness though, whether you have decided to not worry so much about looking put together all the time or not, give yourself a break. We all have things to work on, but let me just say—you are an amazing mother and you’re doing other things right. Along with whatever you’ve decide to quit worrying about, please be more concerned with self-kindness. Let yourself off the hook more often. Wear soft slippers and black leggings. Because girl, you’re worth it.

May you also find a moment to cuddle on the couch with a book and a trendy woven blanket. (In your leggings of course.)

P.S. We need to rally. Leggings and yoga pants can not go by the wayside like high-waisted underwear and scrunchies. They can NEVER go out of style. Now, if we could just make men’s hoodies a thing…