Swimsuit Season

My internet friend Katie over at www.marriageconfessions.com (go visit, she's hilarious) recently posted about the search for the perfect bathing suit. She's been living up north for the past few years even though she grew up in Florida and has just moved to Orlando. I call her my internet friend even though we've never met in person. I don't think we've even emailed, but I comment on her blog and she acknowledged me once on Twitter so by internet standards that makes us buddies.

Anyways, she was lamenting having to try on bathing suits which is something I think ALL women hate. Even if you're a skinny minnie. No one likes trying on a suit and trying to visualize what it looks like on without panties underneath. (I understand the purpose for wearing underwear when you try suits on but that doesn't mean I have to find it comfortable. And that little sticker in the crotch isn't fooling anyone.)

She was also worrying about which suit was best for her. One that would accentuate her positive and eliminate the negatives. So I had to share a secret that has made me feel SO SO much better about my body in a bathing suit. I gained this confidence after Matt and I made our first visit to a Disney water park. I was wearing a tankini and feeling a little self conscious about all the skin I felt I was showing. Within minutes of walking in those fears disappeared. I almost felt OVER dressed in a tankini. Tons of tourists and vacationers were walking around, floating around and sliding down water slides in miniscule bathing suits. Bikinis and speedos were all around and I can assure you not one of the folks wearing them was a Sports Illustrated cover model. Not even close. These people had ALL body types. I'm not saying there was any indecency. No one's unmentionables were showing (though I did see a bit more "cheek" than normal.)

The point for me was that these folks didn't care what other people thought of them. They were just excited to be on a vacation with their families at DisneyWorld. They were enjoying the sun, the water, the sights, the sounds, their kids, their friends, their grandmas, their pawpaws and everything that comes with a family vacation. They laughed, joked and were completely comfortable in their skin, even if some of it jiggled or hung out a little bit. I quickly learned that no one was looking at me. No one cared. I also learned that it was a lot more fun to be comfortable in my skin and run around a water park with Matt than it was to worry about whether my stomach was as flat as it could be or if my love handles were showing if my suit moved up a few inches. Because I was the only one that cared.

So my advice to you folks as bathing suit season approaches. Just be comfortable. And remember the only person that really cares is you. Don't let worrying how you look distract you from enjoying your time in the pool, on the river or at the beach with you loved ones.

and HAPPY SWIMSUIT SHOPPING!

(Katie, if you read this....the good news is that once you find some good bathing suits, they'll last you a few years and you won't have to go back and try anymore on for a while! Also - grab some good solid color tankini bottoms and then just mix and match different tops. Gives you twice as many bathing suits and lots of choices. I have about 3 black bottoms and 6 or 7 tops to mix with them.)