Summer is almost here, unless you live in the south then you get to have it all the time. But up here in Minnesota it's like a sacred flower that only blooms (literally) for a few months until eternal winter comes back. I have noticed that Target, Rachel Hollis (whom I love) and basically EVERY female on instagram is SHOUTING to the sky that, yes, women of all shapes and sizes CAN AND SHOULD wear a bikini. I see it and hear it everywhere I go and that's fine because IT IS TRUE. But I wanted to tell you, that if you aren't comfortable in one, you don't HAVE to wear one.
I have recently come to terms with the fact that I have NEVER been comfortable in a bikini regardless of how great or how bad I look in one. I used to be 105 lbs, banging curves and a body that I was never thankful for. Around this time, I was on the island up north with my dad, enjoying a nice summer day. That night, we went to the bar, as we usually did. A guy sitting next to me said "OH, YOU are the girl in the red bikini." As a youngster, my initial reaction was that I was proud of my body that I didn't work for. Proud of how it looked and proud that boys noticed. But that one comment, has stayed with me because it had nothing to do with my character or the person that I am, just the skin I am wearing in this life.
I reflect on that one experience along with all of them combined and realized that I have NEVER EVER felt secure wearing bikini's. Yes, I have posted pictures of myself in them on facebook and instagram (and of course only when I have thought I looked good, because facebook is like cosplay but for life and not an actual reflection of real life). I wanted to write this blog for a while and thought that I should likely take those pictures down because this would make me a hypocrite but life isn't linear so they stay up. Comfort levels aren't linear either. I have looked good and I have looked flabby. My skin has broken out (like right now) and it's been perfectly clear.
My point of writing this is that, everyone who feels bombarded by the "you SHOULD wear a bikini campaign" should know that not wearing one doesn't make you any less of a wonderful person then you all ready are. Great abs don't make you kind. Stellar gluts don't make you thoughtful. Swim wear doesn't define you and being able to fit into sit swimwear (which gets skimpier every year) is not a reflection of the person that you are.
Enjoy yourselves this summer in a way that keeps your character safe!
