Summer seems to invite us to be sexier: it's the perfect excuse to wear less clothing, and suddenly it's acceptable (even expected) to be tanner than we would find acceptable at any other time of the year. Bikinis, blouses, shorts, and sheer fabrics become popular during the summer. The only problem is that we might not feel entirely comfortable showing so much skin, or when we look at ourselves, we realize we're not quite on par with the tanned, sexy media gods.
For the most part, I feel comfortable with my body image. I like how I look all year round. However, when summer arrives, it's hard not to get caught up in the media hype. It's difficult to ignore the "get summer-ready!" articles that start popping up everywhere, from Pinterest to magazines. I don't think I need to lose weight, but with all those constant reminders, it's hard not to think that maybe my stomach could be a bit flatter or my legs a bit more toned.
Then, when the dreaded moment of shopping for beachwear arrives—because last summer, in my laziness, I didn't hand wash my bikini and the washing machine ruined the fabric—all those little flaws somehow become much more noticeable. My breasts don't fill out the top like the models'. My butt looks flat in these bottoms... The list could go on and on.
But the truth is, it doesn't have to be this way. I don't have to listen to, watch, or even read all the media about how you're supposed to live the summer. For me, the easiest way to do this is to step back from the media just a bit. With warm weather around me, it's easier to disconnect from the computer and the internet, and simply spend some time outdoors, looking at flowers or reading a good book instead. Even ignoring the articles in magazines about how to look good this summer makes me feel a little better.
Of course, it's not always possible to disconnect. However, I've noticed that I no longer pay as much attention to the media around me, even when there are thousands of ads in stores or online, and that makes me feel good about myself. Now, this seems a bit counterintuitive since I need to feel good in order to overlook the things that make me feel worse. However, I've realized that what I need to do is not to be happy or unhappy depending on how I look, but to do it to feel healthy. In turn, the healthier I feel, the more I like the way I look. It's a positive feedback loop.
So when spring starts turning into summer, instead of trying to find clothes that best cover my flaws, I try to get healthy. I spend more time outdoors. I go for more walks. I drink more water. I take advantage of the fruits and vegetables that are in season. In short, I make myself healthier by taking care of my body, and in return, I'm much more satisfied with how I look even though these actions don't result in a physical change. When I'm healthy, I'm happy, and when I'm happy, it's much easier to see through the stereotyped media images and realize they don't really mean anything at all. In the end, I know I'm doing well and I feel sexy and ready to enjoy the summer.
