It’s swimsuit season ladies and gentlemen. What exactly does this mean for the general population? This means that we will be constantly witnessing countless articles and magazine covers admonishing celebrates on their “beach bodies.” Suddenly cellulite and stretchmarks are seen as ever more grotesque than they had in every other season. The media causes individuals to believe that they are only valued by the body they possess. This makes a multitude of people, men and women alike, self-conscious about their bodies.
Why should we let others decide what we think about our bodies? Seriously, how does this make any sense when you really consider it? Every person has the right to love the body they have. You do not have to fit into a certain size or shape to wear a swimsuit. Swimsuits are available in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and they are meant to be available for everyone. No one will ever ban you from a beach or pool because of how you look in a swimsuit. It is also quite likely that no one will notice (or care about) what you look like in a swimsuit. It’s hot outside, and going swimming is a terrific activity for cooling down. It does not make any sense to punish yourself because you do not have the “perfect” body type for a certain swimsuit.
There are so many more important things to care about than your body in a swimsuit. Summer is meant to be less stressful, classes are over for a few months, rejoice in that! Do not stress yourself out over something so trivial. Your friends and family love all of you, even the parts that you do not love. You are not the only one feeling self-conscious, even if you feel as though you are. I promise that you are worth more than your negative thoughts.
I have noticed an excessive amount of those posts on social media that go something like: “For every like I will do 10 sit-ups, and for every comment I will do 5 squats. Gotta get ready for summer!” Working out can definitely be fun, and social media can serve as encouragement when you need it, but you do not need to work out to justify wearing a two-piece. Wear a swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable; every human being deserves to feel comfortable in the clothes they wear. If you feel most comfortable in a bikini, go for it! If you feel more comfortable in swim shorts and a shirt, you can rock that!
I will be honest, I am constantly learning how to accept myself for how I look, and I'll tell you that it is an uphill climb. I challenge everyone to try, however. If you can look at other people without judgment for their bodies, you should be able to do the same for yourself. You are not beautiful in spite of your imperfections, you are beautiful including your imperfections. Yes, you, reading this article. You are fantastic. You are wonderful. You deserve to feel this way, and do not allow anyone to tell you differently, not even yourself.
You can do this. (Me in my swimsuit!)