Today I wore an ascot.

For those of you who do not know, an ascot is what Barbie compliments in Toy Story 3 and what Fred wheres in Scooby Doo - so basically BIG shoes to fill.

Before today, I wore this ascot as a headband because if you know me for more than two days, you know that is how I wear my hair 87% of the time.

Though, today I wore it as an ascot.

Now for everyone who passes me by, this is just an ascot. I go to Belmont University, so it is probably received in one of two ways - “Wow nice neck scarf it really matches the aesthetic of this coffee shop” or “Dude you caught the hipster vibe I heard it was spreading but never has it taken someone I love”, both happened to me as I walked from the Beaman to the JAAC so take your side.

But for me this ascot represents a variety of things -

being bold.

not caring what the people I pass from the Beaman to the JAAC think.

taking a chance.

being a tad “risky”.

honestly a little bit of trying to be trendy - what can I say?

I know this is a lot of pressure for what is basically a bandana on steroids. Though before when I wore this ascot as a headband, which was great don’t get me wrong, I knew it was an ascot. I stripped it away of its job and gave it a new purpose because I did not think I was ready for the “ascot life”. I thought people would look at me and go, “nice try”. I thought I wouldn’t be able to tie it (actually true). I thought I would fall into the stereotype of cliché hipster Belmont students.

These are all real thoughts that entered my head. I know they are silly. I know they seem unreasonable. I know that this piece of fabric around my neck is just that — a piece of fabric.

But today I woke up and said I am going to wear that piece of fabric like the offspring of Fred and Daphne.

Today I woke up with a boost to be a little cheeky.

It came from my English class’ reading that talked about the "opening" of a paper. It claimed that you win or lose a reader in the first three or four sentences of your writing. I said, “Shoot”, because often my openings are not great. My first sentences can be debatable. My first impressions are usually left with the sentence, “Sorry I am really bad at shaking hands”. My first dates have poorly timed jokes and nervous laughter. In general, I usually don’t come off striking or bold but instead a little strange and probably awkward.

So today I decided to have a strong, bold, and semi silly opening so that people wanted to read more. Not only so that I didn’t lose them at the second sentence, but also so that I wouldn’t be afraid to read aloud and let them know the different voices and thoughts that stream in my head.

I know that this didn’t all come from the ascot and nor will the ascot be the only thing that brings this confidence, but I do think we all have that one thing that makes us feel good and that makes us feel a tad more extroverted than usual.

So today I challenge everyone to take whatever that is, whether it be the go to outfit or song you play in your car to get hype, and live like that is a constant instead of a rare occurrence. To feel like your best self, the self your closest friends and mom sees, and make people see that you are worth turning the page for because all of us are, sometimes we just need a little push from an ascot.