Walk of Shame: Shameful or Shameless?

photo via UnSplash

The walk of shame: we’ve all been there. 

Consider how you felt while doing it. Disregard your greasy hair, smudged makeup, or the T-shirt you’re wearing that will never be returned to the so-called hook-up. Was it actually shameful? For many of us it was, but others maybe not. 

If you live under a rock, the walk of shame is the act of walking back home the day/morning after an unplanned casual sexual encounter, typically dressed in the same clothes as last night (there is nothing more uncomfortable than walking home in acid wash jeans and a pink corset). Some thoughts that may come to mind: what the fuck did I just do? What was their name again? Is the Dunkin in Schine still open? 

You may feel stupid, embarrassed, and like a downright clown. You think people are looking at you and they see your clownery, they feel it. The walk of shame has a bad rep because there is something so taboo about going in public after having sex and having to walk in home last night's clothes, as well as a generalized belief that sex is scandalous. 

Many times, the phrase “walk of shame” is mainly applied to women, even though others can still do it. Men usually hang back and leave the girls to walk home so they can boast about their time to their “boys.” Oftentimes girls are the ones slut-shamed or laughed at for doing the walk of shame. So how about this wild thought: let’s not make women feel bad for doing something normal. We know, take a deep breath. Hear us out. 

Anyone and everyone can do the walk of shame, and do it proud. Being confident and listening to your desires is the most badass thing you can do. Whether it be that you're walking home from your partner's house after a long night, or walking back from a total stranger's place, there should be no difference. Take it as an opportunity to show people you are comfortable with yourself and sexuality. So let's turn this stereotype upside down and normalize casual and non-casual sex as well as doing the walk of shame. Slay. 

Have fun and BE SAFE :)