International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements, strength, and resilience of women everywhere. It’s a day to break barriers, challenge norms, and inspire confidence in ourselves and others.

The seasons are changing, and with it comes the age-old dilemma: to wear the shorts or not to wear the shorts? The answer? Wear the damn shorts. Forget the self-doubt. Forget the mirror check where you pinch, prod, and second-guess. Your legs are strong, capable, and deserving of fresh air. They’ve carried you through workouts, walks, nights out, and lazy Sundays. They’ve powered you up hills, held you steady in downward dog, and danced until dawn. They are yours, and they are enough.

Too often, we let our inner critic dictate what we wear, what we show, and how we feel. The idea that only a certain body type deserves to wear shorts belongs in the past. Bodies are meant to be celebrated, not hidden away. The size of your thighs, the softness of your skin, the freckles, the dimples, the scars—they are all a part of you. They tell your story, and your story is beautiful.

Many of us hesitate to wear shorts because we fear judgment—our own and others’. We worry about cellulite, stretch marks, and the way our legs look in certain lighting. But here’s the truth: no one is looking as closely as you are. And even if they were, who cares? Your comfort and confidence are worth more than someone else’s fleeting opinion. Instead of focusing on supposed imperfections, think about what your legs do for you every day. They take you where you need to go. They support you in ways that go unnoticed. Isn’t that something worth appreciating?

Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about owning who you are. Start small by wearing shorts around the house and getting comfortable with how they feel. Focus on finding a pair that makes you feel amazing. It’s not about size; it’s about what makes you feel good. Challenge negative thoughts when self-doubt creeps in and remind yourself of what your body does for you. Sometimes, the best way to break free from fear is to take action. Wear the shorts, step outside, and own your space.

This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about self-acceptance. Every time you choose to wear what makes you feel good, you give others permission to do the same. You never know who you might inspire just by showing up unapologetically as yourself. One act of courage can spark a movement. One woman stepping outside in her favourite shorts, owning her confidence, can encourage another. And another. Until women everywhere feel free to embrace their bodies as they are.

On International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the power of self-love and the ripple effect it creates. This day is about empowerment, about lifting each other up, about breaking down the barriers—both internal and external—that hold us back. The world is watching, and every time you choose to wear what makes you feel good, you are telling another woman that she can do the same.

So step into the sunshine. Choose comfort. Choose confidence. Choose freedom. Grab your favourite pair, pull them on, and walk out the door like you own the world—because you do.

Wear the damn shorts.