23 Comments
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Tina Neidlein's avatar

Man oh man this gave me a lot of feelings. Ugh, the boys feeling your back for a strap! I remember that too well. Infuriating. Thank you for sharing this and so happy you’re now living a regret-free, light-boobed life!

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

Right? I do regret not telling off those guys at my 10 year reunion. But no regrets about downsizing!

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

I came of age in the sixties, free love, early feminist era. Back then I was shamed by boys for being flat chested and never won a college beauty contest (votes from boys only).

I've haven't worn a bra since graduation and couldn't be happier. I no longer endure pain from those contraptions and have saved a ton of money.

Though, when I was teaching first grade in LA, my principal called me into her office one afternoon saying there had been complaints from a few parents.

I just laughed and said, "Mrs. Ota, I don't need to wear a bra." She tittered and dropped the subject.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

Isn't it interesting how tiny little women's nipples are so offensive and outrageous? Big eye roll!

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

and my nipples are inverted....only pop out in the cold.

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

forgot to add that an anthology is a very good idea....maybe include why all these young girls get great, big, fake ones that are so obviously phoney!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

🤣

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Sarah Joy's avatar

“It was more like when you try to get your cat to take a pill.”

- I nose snorted coffee at this sentence 😂

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I can laugh about it now… And actually my cat takes pills easier than my child originally took the breast. Go figure.

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Sarah Joy's avatar

The doctor told me my baby was a lazy sucker

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

OMG - and I lol'd at that! As long as they aren't still a lazy sucker....

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Kristi Koeter's avatar

I would have never considered a post just about boobs, but we all have our own stories. I also got a lift after I was done having kids, but most of it was because they had been severely lopsided most of my life. At the time, it was the best decision ever made and the best surgical experience I ever had—way easier and better than my C-sections.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

Yes! We all have our own boob chronicles. It's actually given me an idea for an anthology of boob essays written by all different women. Maybe I'll try to organize it on Substack.

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

Nora Ephron wrote a famous essay about the subject.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I will look it up! She was a queen.

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

Yes she was and all her books of essays were great!

There's also a very good documentary film about her.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I didn’t know that either. Thanks!

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

I really enjoy your writing. I don’t have kids but my boobs are way bigger than they were or ever wanted. A B cup most of my life somehow weight gain turn me into a DDD - even after losing the weight. I literally laughed out loud- okay I snorted- at the giving a cat a pill comparison. ❤️.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

Jodi! This means so much to me - and the fact that you restacked. Thank you, thank you! Also, I am a snorter too. And it sounds like we've experienced some of the same boob chronicles.

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

Also the clever way you tie your CTA to the essay each week.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

That’s the old copywriter in me…

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Aysu Selin's avatar

Beautiful and honest! There is so much to like here, from not wanting to leave home because you need to wear a bra to women having bodily autonomy. As always, you crack me up.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I'm so glad you said I crack you up rather than I horrify you! And honestly, I am not exaggerating about how often I choose to stay home to avoid a bra. Thank you for reading and commenting! Much appreciation!

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