Real Talk Tuesday: Swimsuit Season

Ahhhh summertime – AKA Swimsuit Season.

Often a season many women dread for various reasons relating to going out in public with just a swimsuit on. I’m not sure I ever *dreaded* swimsuit season in my early to mid twenties but I was acutely aware of how I looked in a swimsuit; picking out all of my flaws (rather, what I saw as flaws) and always self conscious of at least one part of my body while in a swimsuit.

As women we’re told from a very young age you should probably look a certain way before putting on a two piece bathing suit.

MUST HAVES FOR SWIMSUIT SEASON:

Flat stomach, obviously. Because genetics don’t matter or anything.

Zero jiggle. Very realistic. 

Perfect thighs. Thigh gap, schmigh gap.

Perky boobs. Not too big, not too small. Must fit perfectly in triangle top.

Eye rolls, right?

Basically it’s all bullshit. We don’t HAVE to have any of these things to wear a swimsuit. You don’t HAVE to look a certain way or have a certain body type to wear what you want, including swimwear.

Can it be uncomfortable to get used to if you’re still struggling with some body issues? Sure. But that is just a sign you should probably kick it into high gear and start loving yourself. Easier said than done, I know. But man, is it worth it.

We all live in different bodies and we all have our body image struggles. No one is perfect, that’s just the way it is.

What is flawed in your eyes is perfect in someone else’s. And I can guarantee you whatever it is you’re worried about, no one is even paying attention to that one thing your subconscious is telling you to worry about. If someone is paying attention? Well it’s actually THEIR problem and typically a sign of something their struggling with. NOT your problem…

Three to four years ago I would have looked at these pictures and found a million things wrong with my body. I would have thought I looked “too big” because (unfortunately) my head was in a space where being “smaller” equated to being better. Diet culture bullshit, basically.

Your size has absolutely nothing to do with your value and self worth.

Our bodies can be celebrated just the way they are.

Can you have aesthetic goals? Sure. But where is your frame of mind for those body goals? Is it because you think having the “perfect body” is going to solve all of your problems? You’ll be happier? But what about your frame of mind when you’re working towards that perfect body… are you happy in those moments?

Full disclosure: I’m still balancing this one myself but I can honestly say MOST days I see my body for what it is: strong, healthy, awesome and beautiful.

It’s no quick fix but finding a way to love yourself, your body and everything else about you is going to help you on your way to living your best, happiest life.

And isn’t that what we all want?

Let’s CHAT

• Where is your frame of mind right now in terms of swimsuit season? Are you on your way to accepting yourself and kind of just saying “f*ck it!” 🙂 
• Something a little more lighthearted: Where are your favorite places to shop for swimsuits??

P.S. I also want to let you know it wasn’t necessarily easy for me to just throw up pictures of myself in a swimsuit on here. I didn’t do it “for the gram”, I did it because we all need more examples of real life bodies in our world.  I do somewhat automatically pick out what I see as flaws… but quickly come back and say “This is my body, and it’s pretty awesome.” 

Photos by the lovely Andrea Kerbuski during our day trip to Grand Haven State Park. I freaking love Michigan.