Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
Summer is for the living. As you get ready to pull out the swimsuits this weekend for the unofficial start of summer, remember that your body is already beach worthy. Every body is a beach body. No matter how much quarantine weight you did or didn’t gain or how many stretch marks decorate your tummy, your body is perfect. The age of crash diets, body shaming, and lack of self worth are behind us. This is a new age where as women, we choose to empower ourselves and each other to “just wear the suit.” Just wear the bathing suit, the outfit, the tank top, the shorts. It’s hot and you deserve to have the sunrays kiss your skin as much as anybody else. You deserve to be in the pictures with your children and enjoying all that summer has to offer.
Over the years, I’ve worn a wide range of different sizes, have been through multiple changes in my body, and have worn countless bathing suit styles. In each stage of my life, the most comfortable bathing suit I’ve worn has nothing to do with how high the waistband is, how much skin it covers, or the current seasonal style. The most comfortable bathing suit I’ve ever put on wasn’t about the bathing suit itself but everything to do with how I viewed myself. When I stopped worrying about what other people think and poured my energy into enjoying my summer, that’s when I felt the most beautiful. Beauty comes from within. When you let go of the fear, shame, and self doubt, you are able to set yourself free to become the most authentic version of yourself.
We made it through another winter, beat the seasonal mood swings, and have stepped into Summer 2022. Now is the time. The only person worried about what your body looks like is YOU. Everyone else is too worried about their own bodies, lives, and troubles. So leave the worry behind, put on the suit, and step out this summer in confidence.
I’ll leave you with this poem that I bring out each year as a reminder that we are so much more than our physical bodies.
Dont try to fix me, I’m not broken
I dont need a cream or a cleanse
To undo the marks of my journey.
I dont need a quick fix or magic
For me to love who I am with certainty
Dont try to fix me, I’m not broken.
I dont need to shrink my hips
Or fill my lips
I dont need injections
Or suctions from my mid section
I dont need their interjection
For me to love my reflection.
Dont try to fix me, I’m not broken.
I dont need to
Shrink it
Fill it
Tuck it
Dye it
Lengthen it
Cover it
Fake it
Or shake it
For me to feel ….beautiful.
I dont need to give back the souvenirs
Of a life well traveled
because the media tells me lies
Like: A changing body is only good if its shrinking.
Like: moms shouldn’t look like they’re actually moms.
Like: grey hair is a bad thing
Like: smile lines must be filled in
Like: THIS body isn’t ALREADY beach ready.
Dont try to fix me, I’m not broken
And neither are you
Your smile shows your character
Your laugh lights up a room
Your body is a wonderland
Your presence sings a beautiful tune
Your story is uniquely your own
Your scars are marks of victory ,
there is no shame in letting them be shown.
Your voice is important
Allow it to be spoken
You dont need to be fixed
You are not broken.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
