We all know that summer brings along with it many joys – warmth, a chance to enjoy the great outdoors, ice cream, swimming, and more. However, we also know that means wearing less clothing and occasionally stripping down to a swimsuit and walking around in public. And most of us – if not all of us – probably have some insecurities about our bodies. Who doesn't, right?

It's a natural response to compare ourselves to others. It's especially heavy during the beginning of summer and the months leading up to it, but societal pressure (and advertisements, and pressure from our Instagram culture) to "get that perfect bikini body!" are basically unavoidable. Side note: the pressure is very much present and possibly even laid on equally as thick for guys, too. No one can escape the images of stick-thin girls and perfectly-built guys looking super happy on the beach where no one is judging them because they are ~perfect~ humans. We all see the ads ("is your body beach ready?"). In fact, we probably see them so much that we stop noticing them or thinking about them.

Recently, I started thinking about them, about the whole situation we've somehow ended up in.

Picture this: you're standing in front of the mirror in your swimsuit. Do you notice a few things about your body that you're not super pleased with? I counted a couple on mine.

Overall, I'm not super insecure about how I look, but it's sometimes easy for all of us to focus in on little things and turn them into big concerns. (And if you are super uneasy about how you look, that's chill – and normal – too. No matter your body type, you are entitled to your feelings. But do hear me out).

While sorting through summer clothes, my mind automatically started considering which articles will cover that spot (we all have that one we worry over) and which won't. And because we live in the era of social media, while trying on swimsuits, my mind starting flipping over the idea that maybe I'll only allow pictures of me to be posted if I like how every inch looks. I realized that these thoughts were involuntary – thanks, society – and then I decided to consciously turn them off and really think.

First off, all of these clothes I'm looking at, I bought them because I like them. Every single piece, regardless of how much or how little of me it covers. Why would I not wear the cute things? That's ridiculous. Girl, (and guy), you spent your hard-earned cash on this stuff. Also: it's hot out. Wear it. (Pro tip: confidence is the best accessory you own).

Next up, why on earth do I think that people are going to expect me to look ~perfect~? And furthermore, why do we, as a society, even think that there is a ~perfect~? ~Perfect~ isn't skinny models. That's just another body type, just like all of the endless other ones you could have. Regardless, no one is going to expect you to look like you're walking a runway. They're going to expect you to look like you're swimming. And that's it. This added pressure we all pile on ourselves might just be in our heads.

Now, I am by no means suggesting that you should base your self-worth on the opinions of others. (Even though we all know that others' reassurance can really help out sometimes). However, I can almost guarantee that you are your own worst critic. Whatever it is that you're worried about, it's probably so exaggerated in your own head that it doesn't accurately represent what others see. And besides, while you're standing in front of that mirror, there is definitely someone out there that thinks you look stunning.

After spending a bunch of time thinking this whole situation out rationally, I decided to add on another potential solution and landed myself in a personal experiment. If I fought back directly against my insecure thoughts, would they lesson naturally? So here's what I decided to do, and it doubles as my advice to you: flaunt your insecurities. Put 'em out there and smile while doing it. To me, it made it seem like what I originally thought was so problematic was much less of a problem than I ever thought. It made me accept me more.

I'm not pretending that this is a cure-all or that it'll just magically make the whole situation seem less daunting. I'm not suggesting that it'll alter all of the societal pressure or ease your nerves. And I'm certainly not suggesting that anyone should move from their comfort zone if they don't want to. No matter what you decide to do with it or how you want it to look, your body is yours, and you are the only person that has any say about it.

I once saw a post online that said something along the lines of "Do you know how to get the body you want right now? Start loving yourself."

Share some love with yourselves, everyone. It's all of our little differences that make us lovely and beautiful and handsome, anyway.