When I was super young, my mom and I were shopping for soccer shorts for me. I have no idea what color jersey I wore that year (probably that goldenrod yellow that should stay in the crayon box). But I do know my shorts were likely black. As we were shopping, there were plenty of white and yellow shorts on the rack. These were interesting to me. My mom told me something along the lines of us not wearing white, yellow, or light colored bottoms because of stain potential. And we weren't talking about the inevitable grass stains. Plus add on the potential for us to sit in anything. Even now, I wear dark colored bottoms, or maybe the occasional Khaki. Once I've worn white bottoms unprotected, and I felt all eyes were on me. Any following times, I made sure to cover my bum, but that doesn't count. Though this is so ingrained in me, it is now my choice. I buy my own clothes and dress myself.
With the words of caution my mom gave me, I also know she had prepared me. Even earlier than that adventure for shorts, my mom prepared me for those unfortunate accidents. I was a ketchup fiend growing up. On one trip to McDonald's, I had settled myself into a fry fiasco. I was not a particularly messy kid, but on this occasion, I definitely had a couple dribbles of ketchup on my white shirt. My mom ushered me into the McDonald's bathroom and taught me a valuable lesson - push the stain back where it came from. I'm not sure if this is science, but it worked. My mom sudsed up my ketchup stain and we were on our merry way.
Years later, this lesson continued to serve me well. I am prepared to wrestle those stains. I have made my preparations for those pants. Today, I shouldn't feel like I can't wear light bottoms. I am capable. I am prepared. I had to work to this point (both mentally and through life experiences).