With summer upon us, that means many amazing things, one of which is swimsuit season. Recently, I went swimming for the first time this summer, dawning my new swimsuit purchase. I felt so confident in my new swimsuit that I couldn't help but snatch an Instagram pic.
After posting the picture, and appropriately captioning it "every body is a beach body", I received amazing feedback from my followers and friends. I felt so confident and I was so glad that my confidence was so well-received, however, I want to make one thing very clear.
My confidence as a plus-sized woman to wear whatever I want in public does not make me a superhero.
I am not "brave". Treating me any differently than you would treat a smaller woman who is confident in their swimsuit is offensive. All I'm doing is rocking my swimsuit confidently, what's the great feat in that? Are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't feel comfortable in my swimsuit? That it's amazing someone with a body like mine has confidence?
Just because my body doesn't line up with society's standards of a "beautiful" woman doesn't mean that my body is something worth being ashamed of. I've come a long way recently in developing self-love for the only body I will ever have, and this isn't some heroic act. It's me loving myself and wearing my swimsuit to the beach just like anyone else.
Let plus-sized women live their lives. Let them go to the beach in their new swimsuit just like smaller women. If they look great, tell them! The compliments mean the world to anyone. But do not, do not, do NOT compliment them for their "bravery".
At the end of the day, plus-sized people just want to live their lives like everyone else. Calling them brave for wearing a swimsuit, something thousands of people do every damn day, puts this special attention on them that really isn't much of a compliment. And until we're out here complimenting thinner girls for their bravery in wearing a swimsuit at the pool, we'll never get to do our own thing, which is annoying to say the least.
Don't get me wrong - I'm thankful for the compliments I've received! They have helped me feel better about myself and gain more confidence to ensure that won't be the last time I wear my swimsuit in public. But do not just compliment me or send me a pitty like because you feel like it was courageous of me to wear my swimsuit and post that picture, but it surely wasn't anything worth calling "brave". It was an act of confidence and an act of self-love, yes, but it wasn't a heroic action.
Save your comments on bravery to those who truly deserve it, not just a girl wearing a swimsuit.
