INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The inseam, or length from the top of the inside of your thigh to the cuff, is important when it comes to bootcut jeans, especially for petite or shorter people. You do not want an inseam that is very long, as the jeans will be too long for your legs and you may need to hem off the bootcut portion of the pants to get them to fit. Instead, opt for an inseam that is made for petite people, usually around 29 to 30 inches (74 to 76 cm). You may need to still hem the jeans to fit your legs, but with a shorter inseam, you will have to take off less of the bootcut. Bootcut jeans are usually styled with high heeled boots, pumps, or sandals with a heel. Make sure you get a nice long, lean look by getting a pair of bootcut jeans that have an inseam that is 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) longer than your usual inseam. A longer inseam will ensure the jeans hit 1 inch (2.5 cm) above your shoes. If you are petite, opt for a shorter inseam so the jeans sit above your shoes when you wear heels. Cropped bootcut jeans sit 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) above your ankles, flaring slightly below your knees. They are a fun option if you want to show off a pair of shoes or even a pair of socks with your shoes. This style is very on trend and can be worn by petite or tall people. You may opt for jeans that hit just above your hips if you don’t want to feel too constrained or covered up. Maybe you like showing off your stomach and want too much fabric over this area. Keep in mind you may expose your stomach or a bit of skin if you tend to wear crop tops or shorter tops with your jeans. Make sure the low-rise pair fits your hips snugly so you do not have to keep pulling them up when you sit or bend down. Wearing a belt with low-rise jeans can also help you avoid this problem. Mid-rise, where the jeans hit you just above your hips, or high-rise, where the jeans sit just below your belly button, are good if you prefer to keep your stomach area covered. They are also a good option if you want to make your legs look longer and do not have to worry about pulling up your pants when you sit or bend down. Mid-rise and high-rise bootcut jeans are also a good option if you like wearing cropped tops or shorter tops with your jeans and do not want to worry about exposing your stomach. The only way to confirm the jeans fit you properly is to try them on in the store before you buy. Walk around in them, and sit or bend down while wearing them to see how they feel. The inseam should hit you correctly and the waist should not feel too tight or constraining. If you prefer to shop for jeans online, read the measurements for the jeans carefully before you buy. Measure your inseam and waist with measuring tape to ensure the jeans will fit you properly.

SUMMARY: Get a pair with a shorter inseam if you are petite. Go for a pair with a longer inseam if you plan to wear heels. Try cropped bootcut jeans for a trendy look. Get a low-rise pair if you prefer less fabric over your stomach. Go for a mid-rise or high-rise pair if you like having more coverage. Try on the jeans before you buy them.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: People are often reluctant to admit that they are afraid of something and this may be undermining their confidence and courage. In order to begin building courage, you need to determine your specific fear.  You may not even be aware of your specific fear(s) until you begin to think about what causes you to lack courage.  Write a list of your fears as you figure them out. This may help you to develop a plan to overcome them and build your courage. This will likely not be an easy exercise because it often causes a person to feel embarrassed or ashamed. The lack of courage, or timidity, often stems from some form of fear that is learned through experience or memory. Identifying the sources of your specific fears can help you to begin taking proactive steps to change this behavior and ultimately gain courage in any situation.  Thinking about specific experiences that may have contributed to your lack of confidence and countering them with positive experiences can help to get you in the proper frame of mind to start building your confidence and courage. For example, perhaps you fear rejection by the opposite sex because someone rejected you once before. To offset this fear, think about situations where the opposite sex has welcomed you.  If you cannot identify a specific experience that is the source of your fear, it may be from a memory or a social fear, such as of the shame of failure. For example, if you’ve never touched a snake, but are afraid of them, this may stem from someone related to you either telling you that snakes are dangerous. You can offset memory fears by actively thinking about when and how these fear may have been realized in the past. Thinking about your fears and their sources can help you to grow out of them over time. Simply acknowledging your fears may be the only thing you need to overcome them. Just as it’s important to identify your fears, you should also recognize that you also possess courage in many situations. Taking the time to acknowledge that you are courageous can help you to figure out how to apply this quality to situations in your life that cause timidity.  Everyone possesses courage in some way, even if it’s “hidden” or seemingly simple. For example, you may be open to moving often to other parts of your country or world, which requires courage not only to start over in new situations but also to take the risk of possible failure. Recognizing your courage can help you to develop your behavior and begin building courage in every aspect of your life. Once you’ve identified your specific fears and recognized situations where you exhibit courage, develop a concrete plan to work on building your courage. Having an explicit strategy you can follow may help you stay on track if you have setbacks or see your progress over time.  Write out your plan and update it as necessary. Having a tangible list can help motivate you. For example, if you are afraid of driving alone on a highway, you can develop a plan to help you get used to it until you have the courage to take on the task. Your plan might include the items “ride in the passenger seat on the highway, drive with a friend or family member on major roads, drive alone on major roads, drive with a friend or family member on a highway, drive alone on the highway.”

SUMMARY:
Determine your specific fears. Figure out the cause of your fears. Recognize your courage. Develop a concrete plan to build your courage.