As summer quickly approaches (I hope) it's time to cut those late night trips for pizza and coffee trips with the girls. Instead, we'll have to squeeze tanning beds, the gym and a juice cleanse into our busy schedules if we plan to hit the beach this summer, right?
Actually, no. The only one who cares, or should care, about whether or not you're in tip-top shape for the beach is you. Summer break is a time meant for relaxing and having fun, NOT for opportunities to degrade yourself. Wear that bathing suit with confidence and people are bound to like it.
Of course, there will be the naysayers who are nasty and condescending, but let's be real; how many of us out there really look like sports illustrated models anyways? Although it's been said before, it's important to block out negativity from people who may give you a hard time about trying to feel good in your body. There are empowering women out there to boost us back up should those bullies bring us down.
TLC's Whitney Waythore and "plus-size" models like Ashley Graham are leading a revolution of body positivity. Waythore's campaign, No Body Shame, was started in 2014, "to help people of every variety live their lives fully, passionately, and free of shame." Graham believes that in order to do live a full, passionate and shameless life you must learn to love yourself.
She says, "It's about loving who you are. If you don’t love who you are, you are never going to feel 100 percent satisfied in life. It all starts with you. If you don’t love you, nobody else is going to be able to." It doesn't matter what your friends or your Instagram followers think.
Find your beauty and confidence from within and they will radiate outwards. Following in their footsteps this summer, we can all live our best lives wearing whatever we please.
Skip out on the tanning bed, it's not worth your money to be a little darker just because society says you should. Do you even like those protein bars and tablespoons of apple cider vinegar you've been consuming for the past few weeks?
Skip the gym and get to bed early. A little self-love and confidence can be found without stressing. Slap a smile on that beautiful face and hit the beach!
