This past weekend I was able to go to the beach two days in a row -- I know, how lucky am I? Other than regaining the status of beach goddess due to my glorious tan, I was able to hear many things while people-watching and soaking all that sun up.
On Sunday I decided to go to the beach by myself. I am one person who very much enjoys her alone time, so I felt the beach was perfect for some much-needed one on one time with myself. I did, however, end up leaving much sooner than anticipated.
The beach is one place where it's hard to not be judgmental, I'll be the first to say that at times I can be careless about what comes out of my mouth or even pops into my head, but I also feel strongly that I am not the only person who feels that way. There were many things that I heard coming from mostly female mouths about others bodies. It was not just "fat shaming" it was also "skinny shaming" which is equally as brutal.
I generally am not one to take things that I hear from strangers very personally, but I left the beach because I was feeling uncomfortable.
I listened to girls walking by mentioning how some people should not be wearing what they were at the beach because of their size. I also heard women making comments about how some teenagers wore their bathing suits. I witnessed people pointing and making snide remarks as well.
It made me sick to my stomach.
I heard many people pass me saying I looked unhealthy, too skinny, anorexic, that I could use a burger or two. I am very healthy. I may look skinny to you, but this is just how my body is, and the amount that I eat should definitely not concern you considering I could absolutely out-eat you. My body has always been this way and I love it, but nasty remarks from strangers would make anyone feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
I watched girls with bodies different from mine cover themselves up because of the remarks that they heard. This, of course, was after hearing statements such as "she's really wearing that?" "look at how big she looks in those tiny bottoms!" "why not just wear a one piece or better yet not even go to the beach?" Are you kidding me? As if these people making such remarks were so perfect themselves.
Shaming is shaming, no matter that persons body type, the words still carry hurt. No one should ever have to feel like they are not beautifully unique.
I always try and remind my friends that they're perfect exactly how they are and that if they decide to make self-improvements that I am always behind them. But, I also tell them that they should never be making those improvements because of what someone else said about their body.
Everyone needs to be better about being body positive and to keep in mind one of my favorite sayings, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."
