According to The History Channel, bikinis were first introduced to the world on July 5, 1949. Many years after that, the phrase “bikini body” was coined in 1986 by Slenderella in a series of weight-loss campaigns. Ever since then, the term has been used by diet pill companies and spray tan salons alike in order to draw in business from women who feel like their body isn’t skinny, tan or smooth enough to be bikini ready. Well, summer 2019 is coming in fast, and I would like to take a minute to remind everyone that a “bikini body” isn’t just one single body type. It never has been and it never will be.

I don’t know about you all, but I have definitely felt insecure in a bikini. It’s a pretty universal experience. It’s easy to feel self conscious when you’re out and about in what is essentially a bra and underwear. There’s a tendency to focus in on a muffin top and cellulite on the legs. It never feels good to feel like you’re being watched and judged.  

I’ve talked to many women about their own experiences with feeling inferior during the summer seasons, and it didn’t surprise me to find out that everyone I’ve talked to is self-conscious about something. It’s easy to look at someone and wish that you had their legs or their waist. The thing is: they’re not perfect, and odds are they have their own insecurities to work through.

Now that summer is only a few weeks away, it’s tempting to start panicking. Personally, my heart dropped when I saw the first swimsuit ad of the summer. However, there are a million and 10 articles out there about self-love and self-care that you can go read if you feel like you need a pick-me-up or some tips about embracing your body. For now, I’ll leave you with this:  it doesn’t matter if you have cellulite, paler skin, smaller boobs, thicker thighs or anything else that isn’t considered a typical “bikini body.” No matter what anyone says, your body is ready for swimsuit season.