Bikinis, Boats, & Body Image
Josh and I rented a boat this past Sunday after church for the day, and had the best time! I love being on the water more than most things in life, and have officially decided that I want to buy a boat. Now, will that happen? To be continued. This post actually has nothing to do with boats besides that’s how we spent our Sunday, and I’m getting in a plug for my husband to see how much I REALLY want a boat! hehe
The bikini I wore is from Zaful– Front Tie Bikini –and I actually have quite a few from there. They’re so inexpensive, but I’m not displeased with the quality of the swimsuits. Are they high end? Absolutely not. I think their styles are so on trend though. If you order, keep in mind it takes weeks to get your shipment. I didn’t realize this when I ordered a couple before my honeymoon, and didn’t get them until after we were back. I’ll post links for some of the swimsuits I’ve ordered that have my stamp of approval:
Striped Off The Shoulder Bikini
I ordered a large in every single one of these. I think they’re made small. My only complaint is I wish I could order separates so I could get a M for my top and L for the bottoms. I think this statement nicely transitions into the “body image” portion of this post. Why are us women so hard on ourselves and our bodies? This topic has been beat to death, but then it still seems like not much changes.
From a young age, I recall always being very confident. I was hyper aware when someone else was smarter, prettier, richer, cooler, or skinnier than me, but it never really phased me. I call it “mindful confidence”. If you stuck me beside of a Victoria’s Secret model and asked me to walk down a runway beside of her tall slender bod, I wouldn’t bat an eye and would strut my stuff proudly! Perhaps mindful confidence isn’t the proper statement here. Maybe it’s blind confidence HAHA. I don’t know how or why I ended up this way except that my Mom beat it into our heads to not rely on our physical appearance for anything in life.
This certainly doesn’t mean that I don’t pick myself apart sometimes, especially in the Instagram model days that we live in now. It breaks my heart for young girls growing up right now. Body dysmorphia is a real thing, and it’s no wonder considering all the photo-shopped images filling our brains. I take pride in eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, but one must rely on plastic surgery to achieve the Kardashian/Jenner bods that flood our feeds.
I hate the fact that women feel pressure to fit into a category: plus size, skinny, thick, curvy, athletic, petite, etc. I consider myself curvy, but then I’m like well, compared to plus size girls I guess I’m not curvy. I’m thin, but not nearly as thin as some girls. I have an athletic build, but I guess not really compared to six-pack-chicks. I’m a little petite, but not quite as petite as most. UGHHHHH!!!! These things mess with my head, and I’m sure they do other women as well. Labels and categories don’t matter. It’s just your body. Period.
Who cares if you aren’t in the best shape of your life or if you’ve gained a few happiness pounds since getting married (ME). Maybe you just had a baby or got out of a bad relationship. Be nice to yourself. Stop playing the comparison game, because it will drive you nuts! Psalm 139:14 says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God doesn’t make mistakes. If only we could view ourselves the way He views us! I like to believe God gave me my short legs so that my head falls perfectly onto Josh’s chest when we are standing. He gave me a small waist and bigger hips/butt so I could never find clothes that fit me and have to get everything altered. This has taught me that anything good in life is worth working/waiting for. He didn’t give me super big boobs because He knew I would be inappropriate and show them off too much. HAHA. It’s all about perspective.
Before you sign off, give yourself a compliment. Right now. Later today, give another woman a compliment. Next time you start to pick yourself apart, STOP! And especially don’t pick yourself apart in front of young girls. The next time your girlfriend starts to pick herself a part, tell her to shut up and give her a compliment. We are all in this together. So, go to Zaful and buy yourself a skimpy bikini and flaunt it like a Victoria’s Secret model would!!
xoxo,
DeAndra Lynette
