The hardest was walking along stations with no pants on — No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

In honour of 2015’s No Pants Subway Ride, I’m bringing back this story  (from ThirteenSquared)* of my own experience riding around the Toronto Subway without pants in the middle of winter!

ThirteenSquared is a resolution based blog that I began on January 1st, 2013 in order to enact small positive changes in my life. I utilized the power of accountability in order to overcome the many of the things that keep us from achieving the goals that we set for ourselves.

Written and shared by Karina Noriega. Use with permission.

THE RESOLUTION: Challenges by YOU!

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 1

… this story, is about that other challenge, the one that proposed that I casually take off my pants in a very, very (context inappropriate) public place; in the huge metropolis of Toronto, Canada.I’m not sure what I expected (or what I was thinking!) when I created the final ThirteenSquared resolution. Apart from finding an exciting way of including you, whomever you may be, I opened myself up for more creative suggestions than I ever stopped to consider. In fact, the first two submission have already proven the versatile nature of the possible challenges.  They both push me outside the boundaries of my ‘normality’ in very different ways and in my world this can only mean one thing: adventures in self-discovery.

I has NO Poker Face 😛 No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

I received the challenge as a simple link sent to me by my mom, yes, my mom! (Here’s the link: Improv_Everywhere)

The history and details of the No Pants Subway Ride are all there, including all the cities around the world that now participate. In short, anyone can take part as long as you follow the 2 rules: No pants and keep a straight face about it. I don’t know about you, but imagining myself in this position inspired girlish nervous laughter and a tomato-red glow to my face. This is simply not something I would be comfortable with, so to overcome it this new fear, I decided to do it. January 13th started off part ‘silly excitement’ and big part ‘attempted self-sabotage’. It almost worked. By the time I figured out how to get to the downtown Toronto subway station of Yonge & Dundas to meet with other No Pants participants, they were already gone. I had built up my few slivers of courage to do this from the comfort of knowing that other complete strangers in Pantless get-ups would get it and the general public would be less condemning from the more obvious explanation that group dynamics show planning, not mental illness. Point is, I seemed to be overly concerned with what other people will think about me. See how self-discovery plays into this seemingly harmless prank. Every self doubt and negative thought about myself impeded my ability to just have fun with this.

No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

Finally got as comfortable, as a pant less person can really get on a wintry subway ride — No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

I had the forethought to invite a few friends along to this excursion… they did not have the forethought to reject me with the possibility of getting sucked into my scheme. After too much delay from my part, I agreed to commence operation No Pants… if they joined me!

It was a shockingly minimalist reaction! The most surprising aspect of the whole adventure seems to be how little anyone aboard cared about our little stunt, even with my flashy green socks! Is Toronto really that used to people riding the subway without pants in the middle of winter?

No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

Walking up and down the ramps at station changes was probably when I felt the most on display. I swear I could feel every eye on the slow moving train watching my little pink Victoria’s Secret bouncing as I went.For nearly an hour we rode back forth through Toronto’s downtown system getting a few smiles and of course, I endured dozens of pictures courtesy of April and Joe (and hopefully ONLY them!) as I knew I had to provide evidence to you all. I can honestly say I did not read one word of that (very interesting) book I’m holding. But as the time passed, I became more comfortable.

So thank you to my Mom for this challenge/adventure/growth opportunity.

And of course, THANK YOU to my biggest supporters! I love you guys!

April and Joe – My days Heroes 🙂 No Pants Subway Ride, Toronto, Canada — Karina Noriega

~ An Extraordinary Story by Karina Noriega ~

Watch the film – one of April’s first ever – @ https://karinasextraordinarylife.com/2015/01/28/no-pants-subway-ride-the-film/

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