With summer fast approaching, I cannot help but want to crawl under a rock and hibernate for the next 4 months.
Stores have had bathing suits out on the shelves since January, and while I would see them in my peripherals as I checked out a baggy black sweater, I wouldn’t even acknowledge them. It was January, and I had no upcoming tropical vacations coming up so the thought of “bikini season” was far out of reach.
But it’s that time of the year again where the majority of women post a status on their social media about how they’re not ready for summer because they do not have a “summer body” or “bikini body.” Memes of people working out excessively are starting to immerge about how “this is me knowing summer is around the corner.” Instagram posts consisting of women in their bathing suits with captions saying, “I’m a whale.”
It happens every. single. year – Women doubting themselves and their bodies because of this societal standard of the ideal bikini body.
Now, with summer only being weeks away I cannot help but dread it. I used to love the beach, lying out by my pool, and going to swim. Today, I barely participate in those activities. There is simply too much pressure.
Society has created this ideal bikini body. The concept is that if you do not have this body then it’s illegal or social suicide to wear a bikini. People stare are you, judge you, and whisper as they pass you, or perhaps make remarks aloud to you. I’ve witnessed all of these. I’ve seen people on the beach being ridiculed because of their bodies and choice of swimsuit. I’m sure people have even made comments about me, being that I still wear a bikini, when I do partake in summer activities, even though I’ve gained weight since attending college. It’s degrading and disgusting. Everyone should be able to wear whatever he or she wants to no matter what his or her weight is.
I applaud those who are comfortable with their bodies and flaunt it in their favorite swimsuit or bikini. I applaud those who are heavier and have the strength to tackle societies’ standards and wear what they want because I do not have that kind of strength anymore.
We need to stop hating our bodies and being so hard on ourselves.
We need to stop judging one another based on our weight.
We need to stop laughing at someone because they’re heavier than you.
We need to stop mocking someone for his or her weight and choice of swimwear.
We need to stop giving into the pressure of society.
We need to stop allowing ourselves to fall into this trap that we ourselves have created – there is no “bikini body”
We need to start loving our bodies and ourselves.
We need to start feeling confident with who we are.
Every. Body. Is. A. Bikini. Body.
And if for some reason you are unsatisfied consider maintaining a healthier diet. Start working out and making healthy choices. But while you’re changing your lifestyle to a healthy one, make sure to love yourself along the way.