“I haven’t worn a swimsuit in x years!”

Is this you, mama?

You don't love swimsuit season, never have, most likely never will. It gives you massive anxiety.

The problem is your world has grown smaller as your fear of showing off your body has grown larger.

And every summer, you're missing out.

So, I want you to try something new this year,

wear some self-acceptance.

And sometimes that comes in wearing a swimsuit,

or those shorts you’re on the fence about,

or that tank top that when you look in the mirror, all you see is fat.

You don’t have to hit the gym extra hard or starve yourself down to nothing to wear them; you have the right, right now.

No pep talk can magically take away your fears about wearing clothes that show skin. But wear them scared, and you'll see how easy they fit.

Because once you wear self-acceptance, you can jump into the pool and make memories with your children.

Body acceptance is realizing there’s a human being inside every body.

And every human deserves to live and make memories,

including you.

So, take the strength from the love you have for your children and use it as courage.

Because you wouldn’t want them sitting on the sidelines one day, too.

The perfect body is the one you’re in right now.

And I can guarantee it,

with that smile on your face and a laugh expressing so much joy from your soul,

that self-acceptance will look absolutely beautiful on you.

This post originally appeared on the author's Facebook. Her book "Living FULL: Winning My Battle with Eating Disorder" is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O4mJId