When Summer Makes You Hate Your Body More...

There is something about summer that can make body image struggles feel louder, the warmer weather arrives. People starts wearing shorts, dresses and swimwear, social media fills with holiday photos. Conversations become focused on "summer bodies" and suddenly, it feels impossible to escape thoughts about your own body. You start comparing, comparing yourself to strangers online, comparing yourself to old versions of yourself, comparing yourself to impossible standards that nobody can actually maintain.

Before you know it, your body becomes the first thing you think about when you wake up and the last thing you think about before you go to sleep. I think one of the hardest parts is that summer can make people feel exposed, not just physically but emotionally too. The clothes get smaller, the insecurities feel bigger and if you already struggle with body image or an eating disorder, it can feel like the whole world is suddenly reminding you of everything you dislike about yourself.

I want you to ask yourself something:

• Has hating your body ever made your life better?

• Has it made you happier?

• Has it made you more confident?

• Has it help you enjoy holidays, memories or time with the people you love?

The answer to those questions will most likely be a no to each one because body hatred doesn't motivate people into loving themselves. It just makes them feel more disconnected from themselves. If summer is making you hate your body more, I want you to try a different approach.

Instead of asking: "how can I change my body?" ask yourself "How can I take care of myself?"

Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable, unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and spend less time analysing your reflection. Spend more time focusing on what your body allows you to do rather than how it looks. Most importantly, remind yourself that your worth does not increase or decrease because the weather has changed.

You are still the same person you were in winter, the same person your loved ones care about, the same person who deserves happiness and the same person who deserves to make memories this summer. Summer isn't a test you need to pass, you don't need to earn holidays, beach days, photographs or sunshine. You are allowed to enjoy them exactly as you are because one day you won't remember what your body looked like this summer. You will remember the memories you made, don't let body hatred steal them from you.

With Love, Niomi 🤎

Submit Anonymous Submission 📝