It's summer. That means that school has ended. Graduations have happened. The weather has gotten warmer, and things are more relaxed. Than means time spent with friends outside at the park, at the pool, at the beach, lots of places. It also means time for bathing suits and judgment. Whether you are too fat or too skinny to fit the impossible ideal of what others deems as a "bathing suit body", you can be ridiculed for how you look. Some people will say you shouldn't be wearing a bathing suit and if you do, you open yourself up to being shamed. I say:
ENOUGH
Every. single. body. is a bathing suit body. EVERY ONE.
Got rolls? Thigh rub? A big stomach, flat stomach, no hips, big hips, big boobs, little boobs, one boob, no boobs, thin thighs, thick thighs, stretch marks, skinny legs, big butt, flat butt? You still have a bathing suit body.
You have a body that houses a wonderful, amazing person who deserves to enjoy summer, no, life in whatever clothing you want to wear. Just like everyone else. You deserve to NO LONGER hide yourself away from summer fun for fear of being seen in a bathing suit, and judged.
Can't we just agree that everyone has a body..... and everyone can wear a bathing suit? Can we agree to see people for the PERSON that they are, not an object to be judged? I promise you, your kids, friends, and loved ones want to spend time with YOU, and they are not thinking about what you look like in your bathing suit They are too busy having a good time with you.
The pain is real. Judgment and shaming hurts. A lot. I know. Last summer was the first summer in years that I'd even wear a bathing suit. For years I hid behind long shorts, long tee shirts and even in the house to avoid opening myself up to more judgment. I never wore a bathing suit. But that has stopped. It wasn't easy, but I made a promise to myself that I was going to love ME, and that included my body. Sure, there are changes I want to make, but as it is, right now, right this very minute I promise to honor it and myself by skipping the shame and putting on my bathing suit, and joining in the fun.
It wasn't easy, It isn't easy. But, it's important to Love The Skin You're In.
So this summer let's all skip the shaming and put in a bathing suit, ok?
The awesome cartoon was drawn for me by my pals Stephanie and Kelly. You have to check out their awesome cartoons about real life! Originally posted on my blog, Losergurl.com