Body Image and Summer: How to Show Up for Yourself This Season

Summer has a way of making body image feel louder. More skin, more photos, more comparison. And if you've ever found yourself dreading a pool day or avoiding a mirror before the beach, you're not alone.

But here's the thing: your body doesn't need to look different for you to deserve a good summer.

A few ways to show up for yourself this season:

Dress for how you feel, not how you think you should look.

Wear the swimsuit. Wear the shorts. Wear whatever makes you feel like you. Comfort and confidence aren't reserved for one body type.

Unfollow what makes you feel bad about yourself.

Your feed is a choice. If certain accounts leave you feeling smaller, that's information. Curate ruthlessly.

Redirect from appearance to experience.

Instead of thinking about how your body looks in the water, think about how the water feels. Summer is made of sensory moments. Let yourself be in them.

Talk to yourself like someone you love.

You wouldn't tear apart a friend's body at a barbecue. Extend yourself the same courtesy, especially on hard days.

You don't have to love your body every day to treat it with respect. And you don't have to wait until you feel confident to live fully. Show up anyway. This summer belongs to you, too!