Summer Body and Self Acceptance

By Ines

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We all know of social media’s impossible expectations. Every single teenager who has access to social media has fallen victim to some sort of pressure to do better, with whether it's about school, sports, talents, or any other area of “needed improvement”; one of the most common pressures on teenagers is about body image, and with summer approaching fast, these expectations intensity more and more everyday.

    What is a “summer body?” In the simplest terms, a “summer body” is defined as a toned or slim body, usually meant for the approval or attraction of others. In California, a woman is expected to have an “hourglass” figure while also maintaining a flat stomach and no stretch marks, and a man is expected to have abs and an overall muscular physique. These demands are unattainable for the average person. Everyone’s body is different, not to mention it takes a lot of effort to workout consistently and not everyone has the time. It is very apparent that these standards are ridiculous. 

Another key aspect of this term is the “summer” part, originating from the warmer weather. The high temperatures during summer, combined with common activities like swimming, often lead to lighter or more revealing clothes. These things are not inherently negative, however, many people suffer from insecurities about their body and may not feel as confident. Scars, acne, stretch marks, body fat, and hyperpigmentation are all very normal features, yet, so many people feel vulnerable when these parts are visible during the summer. It is so important to be aware of this, and treat people with respect by not pointing them out or drawing lots of attention to them. 

While many people associate a “summer body” with being “fit,” the process of attaining this expectation is far from healthy. I experienced this pressure firsthand during the spring and summer of 2020. For context, my area was very heavily impacted by COVID-19, and all the schools had shut down in the early spring. Because of this, many social media influencers encouraged people to workout at their homes to spend their time at home wisely. Achieving a “fit” body has always been a popular topic on the internet, but the pandemic has severely increased the discussion of it. 

It felt like everyday I was seeing posts along the lines of “don’t waste your time at home! Build the best body you can for the summer!” I felt drained, both emotionally and physically. Social media made me feel as though I was not doing enough to look a certain way. I kept catching myself accidentally comparing my body to the ones I saw online. The bodies that have been photoshopped. The bodies where people’s acne and scars had been blurred and edited out. The bodies in which girls used filters and angles to look “perfect.” It was exhausting, but I kept going back to these images and wondering what I could do to make myself the same. The reality is, I am not the same as those girls. They are beautiful, and so am I, but we are entirely separate. By the time summer came, I realized that I was stressing over attaining a body type that wouldn’t even make me happy. Even though I didn’t meet the high standards of a “summer body,” I was still happy, and moreover, I was healthy. 

My journey to self-acceptance was not easy, but there were two tips that I followed to help myself feel better. The first practice that I used was drawing. Art has always been a passion of mine, but this time was slightly different. Over the spring and summer I focused on centering my art around different body types. This allowed me to analyze the features that make people unique. Additionally, it helped me to embrace my own features that I wouldn’t normally draw. This tip really improved me learn to fully accept myself and others through art. 

The next piece of advice was much harder, but it was the most important aspect of getting over my stress. I had to completely alter the way I interacted with social media. For starters, I drastically limited my usage on apps like instagram, tiktok, and snapchat. Secondly, I needed to add diversity to my influencer following. This meant that I started following people with different body types or facial features to truly commit to seeing the beauty within everyone. This changed the way that I viewed the discussion around the “summer body” demands, because instead of centering the conversation around my own experiences, I broadened my perspective and learned a lot from other people. 

I want everyone to truly understand that the “summer body” standard is flawed. It constantly pushes unfair demands upon young and impressionable teenagers. Our bodies are not trends for the seasons, nor are they meant to be picked apart and compared to others. I used to not fully comprehend this, as I thought that it was possible to morph myself into the people I admired on social media. It was not. By drawing and taking breaks from social media, I spent my time focusing on how to love myself for who I am. Recognizing that the “summer body” was not right for me was another key aspect for my journey towards self acceptance. Afterall, happiness and healthiness are far more important than the way you look. I hope this article helped!​