From Briefs to Boxers: A story of self-liberation

 

Have you ever questioned how clothing may have physio-psychological manifestations? Now I am not talking about the feeling you get when you wear a suit or when you put on a hoodie. I am talking about can clothing change the chemistry in the body. Is that which constricts in the body, relevant to the mind; a tight belt, a tight bra, a heavy necklace, tight underwear, shoes that don’t fit. IS the prolonged-induced-tension creating long term, chemical imbalance, subconscious perception of self.  Let’s get rational in regards to my choice of underwear.

The low rise mesh brief. I like feeling secure; no hassle in constant adjusting my junk.  Also I don’t like a band around my waist real high, it seems unnatural, excessive use of materials, and it’s uncomfortable, that is why I choose the low-rise-mesh-brief. And thirdly who doesn’t like soft fabric. To top it off a mesh material for ventilation and comfort. I have discovered the perfect underwear; the low-rise-mesh brief!  I am happy with it and it makes me look great. However is the tension affecting my testosterone levels, bladder, self esteem? Frankly, I don’t know.

 

Last week I spent some time commando in a kilt and it was exhilarating- easy access for everything.  I had a photoshoot in the traditional attire and it released a new vulnerability and although I was see-ably covered to the photographer I was uncovered to myself; a new sense of freedom, openness, and vulnerability.  In my life I like testing my own liberation maybe by trying something new like putting myself in uncomfortable social circles or having difficult conversations.  It is a perspective that embraces changes, challenges stereotypes, and re-evaluates your worldview.  It begins with something small like underwear but makes available a new perspective, a breakthrough in maybe finances, maybe relationships, maybe career, maybe aspirations, or maybe spirituality.  The traditions of man are our downfall.  In the words of Debussy, “We must cultivate the garden of our instincts and trample on the flowerbed of tradition.” This means the vulnerability and introspection to see what traditions or things we do just because we do them. Or, in the words of James Dean, “Trust and belief are prime considerations.  You must not allow yourself to be opinionated.” Challenged our pre notions of success, or comfort, or relationship, or the ideal.

So maybe boxers — something I am not comfortable with — results in something more open.  Something that allows the ability to grow, no pun intended, that will open growth in all areas of life.