Insights: Societal Pressures of What We Should Resemble

I live on the Cali coast and I am grateful for it. However, the endless summer and beach time creates a very triggering environment for me. I am sure many of you can relate. My husband says all the time that he gives no thought to other women, and that is encouraging, but it's really hard when I am constantly bombarded with models every 6 feet. I can be having the best day and then... go to the beach and hate myself. Sounds petty I know. Just reaching out to see how others deal with these intrusive body-shaming thoughts.

A friend writes, "I went to college in SoCal, and it was relentless. Other students would sunbathe every day of the week, and everywhere from the mountains to the beach folks would be rocking booty shorts. I was so insecure."

Another friend adds, "Living in Southern Cali I definitely know what you mean about seeing these "perfect" beach bodies walking around. While you're looking at them there are women looking at you thinking the same thing. These women aren't perfect but in your eyes YOU see them as such because of your own self-esteem."

It's interesting how our environments can be a tell-tale sign of how we feel about ourselves and what we are willing to see as acceptable. Let us try to remember that no amount of societal pressure or status quo can define how we see ourselves unless we give it that power.