I was never one to be overly hard on myself about my body. I usually eat whatever I want, dress comfortably, and never ever compare myself to other people. Before leaving BC for Spring Break, I actually avoided the Plex for fear that it would be too crowded with students trying to squeeze in a last minute workout in pursuit of that (impossible) perfect bikini body. Then, something happened while on break that momentarily shattered all of my self-confidence: a casual invitation to spend the day with some gorgeous strangers on the beach.
Being from south Florida, I practically grew up in a bathing suit, on the beach. So naturally, my sudden horror of being on display in such a way was ludicrous. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I would be under intense scrutiny in that evil, tiny two-piece. What if I wasn’t as tan and toned as everyone else? What if my bikini didn’t accentuate the right curves? What if people gawked at the surgical scar on my stomach (again, never an issue before)? I was so bogged down with negativity and terror that I decided I’d play sick and just hide at home for the entire day.
I then let my mind wander to the beach, my second home, and I realized how much fun I’d be missing if I let my self-consciousness get in the way. As I looked out my bedroom window, I knew that I didn’t have many sunny, 80-degree days left before my return to Boston, and so I decided to be brave and squeeze into that bikini. Whatever it was that was plaguing me vanished as I soon as I set foot on the warm sand, and all my nerves melted away as my friends ran to meet me.
So, what’s the moral of this story? Self-confidence isn’t something that can be injected. You just have to wake up and realize that every body is beautiful in its own way, and that NO ONE is perfect. Be true to yourself and don’t let body issues get in the way of your happiness. As for me, I’m already counting down the days until summer vacation when I will be reunited with my bikini and the beach.
Photo Sources:
http://www.outerinner.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/girl-looking-in-mirror.jpg
http://i.livescience.com/images/i/000/054/306/i02/beach-health.jpg?1372365869
http://www.stepbystep.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/How-to-Have-Fun-for-Free-with-Friends.jpg