How to feel confident in your body in summer

With summer coming up, there is always the fear of having to wear less and more revealing clothing. So I’m going to give you my best advice on how to feel confident in your body in summer.

Firstly, let’s ask yourself some questions

• Let’s ask ourselves the questions of why do we feel insecure about certain things?

• Who has made you feel this way?

• When you look at other people with your same insecurities, do you dislike their body? If you don’t then why are you judging yourself?

• Is their parts of your physical self that you love that you could focus on?

• Is your insecurity something you physically can’t change (bone structure, etc)?

• If your sister, mother, daughter had the same insecurities, what would you tell them?

You are so much more than your body

I want you to think about all of the things that your body has done for you.

If you think about the good things, there are so many, I promise you it outweighs (what you think) is the bad.

A few things your amazing body has done for you:

• Your legs have walked you around and to some amazing places, including your home, your safe space, your favourite restaurants, new cities. They allow you to be strong enough to walk up stairs.
• All of your organs are working in your body, RIGHT NOW, to keep you alive. You have things fighting to keep you alive every single day, that is so cute.
• Your hands have held the hands of the people you love. They have picked up your favourite foods to eat. They have stroked your pet.
• Your arms have picked up small cuddly animals (or cuddly toys). And hugged the people you love the most. They have held babies who think you are the most beautiful person on earth.
• Your belly has the ability to hold a baby in there. And it tells you when you’re hungry so that you get the energy you need and stay alive!!

Whenever you start to think negatively about your body, think about these things. Realise that when you step back, we’re here on this earth to make memories, and have a good time. Don’t waste it speaking and thinking negatively about you’re body.

I am guilty of this too. I have had ruined days because I saw a picture of myself in a bikini and hated it, and wanted to hide the rest of the day.

But I promise, you are the only one that’s looking at your body that closely. And if there is someone who is looking that closely, and making you feel negative about your body, just know that for them to be looking at someone’s body so closely, they will be constantly thinking about their body too. It’s their own insecurities being projected.

Put your overall happiness first

Ask yourself, every time you have followed a diet and lost weight, have you been happy at your thinnest? Or when you have said no to sharing a cupcake with your friends because you’re scared you are going to gain weight?

Usually the answer is no, because a lot of people end up gaining the weight back and being more unhappy.

I am not going to tell you how and what to eat. But intuitive eating has made me the happiest and most confident in my body ever. I have a post explaining all about it, give it a read, and decide for yourself if that is something you’d like to try. No pressure. http://bigsisterera.com/heres-the-top-reasons-you-should-be-intuitive-eating/

Ask yourself, why are you trying to look a certain way? Is it because that’s what considered beautiful? Who are you trying to look beautiful for? Is it some random stranger?

I can guarantee you that the people you love the most, already think you’re beautiful. Inside and out.

Focus on making memories rather than constantly thinking or worrying about what you look like.

Constantly worrying about your body is simply draining, and it stops you from being fully present in the moment.

Understand, when you’re feeling insecure about your body, you will never get that moment back. So don’t waste these precious moments on worrying about your body. Be present in the moment and forget about what you look like. Worrying about it isn’t going to change what you look like. So you might as well be fully present in the moment and enjoy yourself.

Wear clothes that you are confident in

I know clothes shopping can sometimes be daunting.

There’s been many times (*cough* prom) when shopping has been the most painful, draining, confidence shattering thing ever. I know exactly how you feel.

But I know there are some items of clothing that you always gravitate towards because you feel confident in them. The more of those items we have the better.

I know shopping can be costly. But why don’t you do it gradually?

Sell one item of clothing you don’t like on Depop, Vinted, EBay, etc, and buy one item of clothing you feel confident in. Repeat this and before you know it you’ll have your dream wardrobe!

Clothes are meant to fit you. You are not meant to fit into the clothes.

So if you’ve bought something thinking I’ll wear this when I lose x amount of weight, or when I look like this. Get rid of it, and buy clothes that actually fit you.

You are worthy of wearing something that makes you feel beautiful NOW, don’t wait until you look a certain way to feel worthy of feeling beautiful.

Don’t compare yourself to other people

No matter if two people ate the same, and exercised the same, they’d look different.

Everyone’s needs are different. So what Sandra is eating in her day is different to the calories that you need in your day.

People have different appetites, cravings, taste buds, tolerances, etc. so do not compare your eating and your body to someone else.

No matter what you do, you will never look like someone else, and that is what you should use to your advantage.

There is no one in the world that looks like you, you are 1 of 1. Treat yourself like the rarity you are, and embrace everything about you.

It is impossible to please everyone. Everyone has different standards and preferences. So don’t waste your time and energy trying to get everyone’s approval.

Thank you for reading <3

I hope this post has made you feel more confident about your body with the summer months coming up.

You are doing amazing and I hope you know you are beautiful!