Boob Envy: Why Bigger Isn't Necessarily Better

For some odd reason or another, I usually find myself encountering situations where I become the subject of boob envy. Granted, my breasts might be slightly bigger than average for an Asian, it doesn't mean I don't deal with problems that comes with it.

Every time I complain about how cumbersome it is, people reacts with the usual "you're blessed so why are you complaining", or "if you don't like it, please donate it to my chest", and other in the same vein. But I wonder if people really understand the dilemma of having larger than average breasts.

Here are some of the things and situations I encountered:

1. Growing breasts are expensive

The main thing to note when your breasts start growing is the need for bigger bras. And they are not cheap. Bras that offer the much-needed support to your growing lady lumps means spending more. It also pays to invest in higher priced bras from reputable brands as they last longer, meaning, you end up spending now, but saving later since you don't have to keep on buying new ones when the underwire pops out, the pads get distorted, the straps had gone bacon, and for other possible bra issues you'll encounter.

2. New wardrobe is expensive

More than just your brasserie needing an upgrade, so does your wardrobe. And again, replacing your entire wardrobe cost a whole lot more than just bras. Favorite tops? Forget about it. They're better off going into a donation box as you'll probably be unable to fit in one. Though the breast growth might be gradual, the reality of your clothes not going to be able to accommodate the growth exists. Spare the loose tops from the closet clean up and say goodbye to structured tops that don't have much stretch. Less pressure on the chest area is a welcome relief to your lungs. Be prepared to invest in clothes that come in stretchier fabric.

3. Button-downs? Have it tailored to fit!

Usually, its the men who visit tailor shops to get fitted for suits and stuff to ensure the perfect silhouette for their physique. But if you have larger than average breast size, it's unavoidable. Wearing a medium button down that used to fit when you're a cup A will pop open when you become a cup B. Likewise, buying a bigger size to fit your chest will look unflattering from the chest down.

4. Never quite knowing what dress size to get

More than troubles with button-downs that won't stay close, choosing which size to shop for in general is a trial and error that wouldn't disappear anytime soon. Medium sizes look great from the chest down, but pretty much creates an unflattering figure for your chest. Large sizes might solve the problem pertaining to the chest area, but becomes too voluminous beneath the breast that the look becomes unbalanced. Who says clothes shopping is relaxing must not have to deal with finding clothes you want in sizes that can't seem to fit properly.

5. No long term relief for back pain

Since breasts are made of mostly fats, it is to be expected that they are quite heavy as well. It's not a treat for your back when gravity weighs down your front.

6. The occasional occurrence of breast pain

Expect to feel sudden jolts of pain in your chest area when doing strenuous activities without proper chest support. As they are juggling masses of tissue, its not surprising over exerting yourself would cause gravity to act on it more and result in that sudden pain.

7. The accidental brush

Bigger chest means higher chances of experiencing strangers brushing past you. Yes, we do our best to protect our chest from being bumped into, but that doesn't mean we'll succeed all the time. Most especially in tightly packed spaces like buses or trains, you'll definitely feel accidental brushes on your lady lumps

8. Face up here, not down there

Ever had the experience of talking to someone whose eyes linger on your chests? Then, welcome to the club. Despite guys claiming they find faces the most attractive part of a female, they still end up zeroing in on those lovely mounds. It can be flattering at times, but its still eye-rape.

9. Bend Down Not

The 'bend and snap' trick shown by Elle Woods of Legally Blonde movie series might seem a good way to attract the opposite sex, but in reality, in a conservative nation, you get chastised when you bent down and expose the top of your breasts unintentionally. I don't think any shirt stays in place on your chest unless it's a body con type fit, and being demure won't pick up your stuff for you when they fall down. But the reaction we get at those instances brings to mind how rape culture places the blame on women being provocative resulting in untoward sexual advances. How can women be practical and do the things they need to do if we're going to be all demure about accidentally showing a bit of skin? It's not a woman's fault if the man can't keep his eyes and his hands to himself. It's also not a woman's fault when her clothes shows a bit more skin when bending down to retrieve something or do some work, it's the other person's fault for injecting explicit thoughts at an otherwise innocent act or gesture.

10. Breast Cancer, enough said

Whether your breast size is natural or enhanced, you're still at risk for breast cancer.

Breasts aren't like things you see in the store with signs that goes, "nice to look, nice to hold, but if you break it, its considered sold". They are a part of your body that you have to live with, learn to navigate the world with, all the while protecting it as much as you can from getting injured. They're not something you can reduce or enlarge at will, without cost.

At the end of the day, the bottom line is love what you have, inconveniences and all. You only have one body, take care of it. Be content with what you have, since the one you're desiring for might not actually be all it's cracked up to be.

I would definitely love to hear your opinions and your own experiences in regards to this, so share away at the comments below.

Taking on the 52 weeks money challenge

Here's to my first post in 2014!

At present, I am taking on the 52 weeks money challenge! It sounds fairly easy enough when you start it, saving less than a 100 in the first 10 weeks, but it's bound to get more difficult after. On searching for checklists I can use though, I only find guides in doolars. Thus, I'm doing this without any regard for the balance with increments of P 10 rather than P 1. If this proves quite successful a challenge, I might just consider doing this annually, and increasing the increments if I'm able to. Being blind to the end balance means, I'll only find out how much I've actually saved at th end of the 52nd week.

If you feel like starting your own challenge, it's always a good idea to start with a small amount. Set a day during the week when you'll be setting aside your money challenge dues. If you're the type who gets motivated seeing your savings grow, by all means, recycle a clear bottle to serve as your personal bank. If you're going traditional, choosing a coin bank is always a good option. You can also create a checklist for yourself if you're really more into visual motivation, or you can make use of technology and set a 52-week long reminder on your smartphones, tablets or any gadget you use.

There are many wyas to go about it, but at the end of the day, it'll always be exciting to take on new challenges that make you a better person and help teach you about saving and budgeting. Come to think of it, this is actually quite a good exercise to teach kids!