by Remember when I said I’mma wear what I want to work because I’m supposed to enjoy life and be able to express myself as much as possible? A whole year, lightened hair tips, and Uniqlo BT21 and Ranma t-shirt collaborations on non-dress-down-Fridays later, I took my risk-taking further. Something more daring than before. I switched my purse to an ITA BAG to wear BTS enamel pins!
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You’ve probably seen my BeMineBTSPins Instagram post. I’m a huge BTS enamel pin hoarder collector. Before I took my love online, I was wearing my pins and even pinning them to my purse or bags, effectively banging them up (LOL!). If it wasn’t for the recommendation from a Kpop Facebook group, I wouldn’t have even known the name “ita bag.”
These bags are seen at anime, kpop, and comic conventions. If you’ve ever seen any, then you know that they’re adorable AF, equipped with sparklies and pastel colors, then cut into cute shapes. After searching eBay and Amazon for a few days, I was beginning to think:
“I can’t take that to work! What would working professionals think of this 34-year-old carrying around a cutesy ita bag?!” ٩(⑅๑꒪﹏꒪๑)۶
But, I remembered that I’m supposed to be having fun, enjoying life! I had already challenged myself, “to be as much of myself as possible at work,” so I proceeded to buy a large heart-shaped, seafoam green ita bag from Amazon. And, you can’t help but notice it, it’s so big! And the pin window is 2/3s the size of the bag.
Obviously, this introvert wants to be noticed I was nervous as hell. LOL! But I stuck to my guns, made a fabric covered cardboard insert and pinned away. All the while, my insecurities were lurking around me:
I can’t pull off this bag! It’s for teenagers!
People would think I’m immature.
How could I walk into a business environment with this on?
Wouldn’t you know that I’ve received more compliments on this purse, from practically EVERYBODY (coworkers and strangers! (☉｡☉)!) than I have ever received on any accessory. I’m blown away by how well this risk worked out and I’m so glad I took it. If I didn’t take that chance, I would’ve had a boring experience trying to fit in.
Although the compliments are very nice, encouraging even, I honestly just like wearing this purse and showing off these beautiful pins. I love that my ita purse is unique, cute, and a great form of self-expression. In actuality, I’m just enjoying the act of being myself.
AND! I’m not done with ita purses. Oh no, I’ve got one on preorder right now and plenty more pins to share!
What chances have you taken at work to express yourself? Let’s encourage each other in the comments and don’t forget to follow me for more transformations o((*^▽^*))o