Yesterday we celebrated the Fourth of July here in the US. I didn’t venture out into the crowds here in NYC to catch the Macy’s Fireworks, but supposedly they were spectacular.
For Americans, the Fourth is a celebration of freedom.
But what about the Fifth of July?
Well, another type of freedom was launched into the world on July 5th – the freedom for women to show their bellies in public.
The bikini made its notorious debut in Paris on July 5th, 1946.
The scandalously skimpy bathing attire was named after the Bikini atoll, the site of the world’s first peace-time atomic weapons test.
Talk about explosive!
Even most French women didn’t dare wear a bikini because it was considered too risque. And Americans didn’t begin wearing bikinis until the ‘60’s. In some places, they were even illegal.
Here’s a photo of me in my first bikini. I’m blushing.
I’m passionate about people expressing themselves however they like, including in their choice of clothing.
For most of my life, I tried to hide my body. (Baby bikini not-withstanding.) Over the years, I’ve slowly begun to feel more at home in my skin and less ashamed of my body.
Two years ago, I started pole dancing. Now, stripping down basically to my undies and undulating in a dance studio is just another day for me.
But I still feel embarrassed about the idea of wearing a thong on the beach. (Do I really want that much of my butt hanging out in the sunshine?)
What’s the point of sharing this?
I’m a passionate supporter of unapologetic self-expression.
For some of us, that’s pole dancing and talking about dragons. For others, it’s dying their hair bright pink and wearing all black.
As long as it doesn’t hurt someone else, I think you ought to be able to express yourself however you like. The haters can close their eyes and put their fingers in their ears if they don’t like it.
When it comes to business, I support the same radical self-expression.
You being you.
Talking the way you talk. Doing what you love. Sharing it in ways that feel authentic.
Getting paid to be you.
Our theme in the IMPACT membership this month is “Unapologetically You,” and you’re invited to join our workshop next Wednesday, July 9th.
Unapologetically You: The Business of Being Yourself
What if you stopped trying to be more professional, polished, or impressive… and just let people see the real you?
In this playful and powerful workshop, we’ll explore how your most authentic self is also your most magnetic asset. You’ll uncover what you truly want to say, how you want to show up, and how to make offers from a place of deep truth and resonance.
It’s free with your IMPACT Membership and you get a ton of cool bonuses, archives and all the July events with your membership to boot.
Let your freak flag fly, baby.
https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/impactinvite/
Yours in love and play,
Steph
