But almost immediately after this thought, there is another. Very quiet, but clear. Something inside says: "Why do you want to wear this? For whom?" And then I smile a little. Because I know the answer.

Faith teaches me that the body is not an enemy. It is not something to be shamefully hidden. But it is not a toy, not a way to attract attention. It is a temple. Beauty is a gift, but how we use it is our responsibility. I am not forbidden to wear dresses that make me feel beautiful. But there is a difference between being attractive... and being seductive. Do you understand what I mean?

Sometimes there is a real conflict inside. Especially when you pass by shop windows where mannequins flaunt crop tops, and watch how girls in the subway are already opening the season of minis and strapless T-shirts. And then it starts: "Why shouldn't I..." But I remember that my appearance is not the only way to be a woman. More precisely, not the most important one. Femininity is not about the number of centimeters of fabric. It is about a voice that can speak with kindness. About eyes that can see the pain of another. About the ability to be soft without becoming weak.

Being a Catholic does not mean wearing a long skirt to the heels and hiding behind strict collars. It means remembering who you belong to. That your body is not an accident, and you are not just for admiration. You were created with a purpose. Not so that someone would look and say "wow", but so that through you someone would think: "there is something real in her".

I will say honestly: it is not easy. Not because someone forbids it. But because you feel this roll of waves inside you - you want to feel attention, you want to be seen. Especially in the spring, when this eternal "live, shine, blossom" seems to pulsate inside. But every time I remember that you can shine in different ways. And that my radiance should not blind, but should warm.

There were a couple of moments in my life when I still followed the desire to look "like everyone else". I wore, albeit not too provocative, but something that made men look back. And you know, in those moments I felt like... not myself. As if I was playing someone else's game. You catch glances - and you don't enjoy them. Because they are not looking at you, but at the cover. And I want them to see the content. I want someone to feel, looking at me, not "I want her", but "I want such a soul next to me". That's probably the difference.

This does not mean that I wear a loose robe. I love beautiful things. I follow my style, I know what suits me, I respect my body and, if I want, I accentuate my waist or neck, or I’ll even wear heels. But I always ask myself: “Why?” And this question really sobers me up.

You may be smiling a little now. Like, what’s the big deal, I showed my shoulders — a tragedy. But believe me, for us girls, this is much deeper than just fabric. It’s about inner honesty. About being true to yourself or giving in to the momentary. And if you are a believer, you most likely know this too. Because you may have also caught yourself thinking that you want to compromise — in your thoughts, in your words, in your desires. But holding back is also the path of love. For yourself, for God, for the future.

Spring will still remain a time of awakening. And maybe I won't wear very revealing things, but I will allow myself to smile more often, speak warmer, listen more attentively. Because femininity is not only about what you wear. It's about how you look at the world. And how you respond when the world looks at you.

Lana Banana