The term Itty Bitty Titty Committee, which was once used as a derogatory term to describe me and many other girls like me, has changed into something that I am not only un-bothered by being associated with, but I actually welcome it.

When I was younger, my older sister earned her stripes and she earned them fast. I remember the day when she started changing. I was looking up at her from the ground, watching her toss, turn and grunt in the top bunk of our red bunk bed set. She was in pain, REAL pain. Puberty started for her and I wanted to know what that felt like.

It was about four years from that day that I got the visit that was supposed to change my life too, but only it didn’t (well at least not the the ways I wanted it to). I basically ended up gaining all of the hassle of becoming a young woman minus the rewards; or so I thought.

Being flat-chested seemed like my worst nightmare at first. While seemingly every other girl was well on her way to adulthood, I was still in the same kid body that I was in before. Guys stopped getting the cooties, kid’s braces started coming off and I STILL had no boobs. I tried everything from growth supplements to massages (which kinda worked.. I think), drinking cups and cups of milk and the always handy ultra push up bras. I would gain weight and get more size, then lose it and lose every bit of hope for my life that I had just started to develop. It was a horrible cycle whose outcome was fruitless but yielded great rewards in the very end. Granted, I did manage to make my way up to a B cup with age and maturity (and boy, was I happy when the department store lady told me that) but I am still holding it down for all of you I.B.T.C girls out there who are just like me.

*This is not talking down on those ladies who are well endowed, just trying to reach out to those girls who are in my shoes who may struggle with being built differently*

Here’s what having little to no boobs has taught me (in no particular order):

1. It is not the end of the world!

Nobody is perfect, everyone has something that they don’t like about themselves but what may be seen as a “flaw” in your eyes may be a plus in the eyes of another.

2. Don’t worry, you won’t miss out on guys!

When I got to high school, although I was still struggling with major insecurities due to the size of my bust, it still didn’t stop guys from wanting to talk to me just as much, if not more than girls with a more voluptuous body type. These guys were still wack for the most part though, so don’t get too excited over them either way.

3. Shopping is a breeze (for the most part)...

Most of the models that you see on the runway who are marveled at by people around the world have absolutely no boobs at all! That being said, most of the tops that were built to look good on them will look awesome on us too (in my experience)!

4. You can do what you want!

Some of the more busty girls on my cheer leading and basketball teams in high school were a little more limited in movement and physical activity than I was; I didn’t constantly have two huge things getting in the way or weighing me down! These little babies actually came in handy and fit perfectly in the tight little cheer uniforms we had to wear, no bulging here!

5. Padding is always there when needed!

If there’s ever anything you NEED boobs to wear, there are always options for that too! Padded bras are available and easy to find and if you need a little more help, water and silicone inserts are useful too!

6. It gets better with time.

Sometimes with time you fill out a little more, or at least your boobs will become a little more “womanly”. Even if they don’t, time heals all and you will eventually learn how to cope and what works the best for you whether this means finding the clothes that compliment you or finding the perfect bra.

7. Booty vs. butt and everything else too...

For every guy who needs a woman with a lot of merch up top, there is one who prefers the booty over the booby and also a few who don’t care at all! Not everyone is a shallow jerk face who only cares about if a woman is equipped with racks on racks on racks.

If he counts you out because of your membership to the I.B.T.C he is a shallow jerk face and doesn’t deserve your time anyway!

8. Have confidence!

Confidence goes a heck of a long way! There have been many times where I was at the gym with a sports bra on (padding game on zero) and a cute guy still approached me! It’s because I have confidence in myself, so much to the point where I know that even if small boobs weren’t attractive to a potential hubby, my awesome personality would win them over anyway!

9.See it as beautiful!

Because it is! If you see this a something beautiful and unique about yourself, any comment on it will sound like a compliment! Remind yourself of how awesome you are and how easy it is to have small boobs, how liberating going bra-less is (even though anyone can do this), how much more you have to offer than a cup size and number! You are unique and whether you have boobs or not, nobody can kill your FLY. I mean, unless they have one of those electric fly swatters... But that’s besides the point!