By Sophie Balisky
Body image is a complicated and deeply subjective topic. I know this from first hand experience.
I’m no stranger to holding my breath at the beach. For years of my life, summer was nothing more than something I felt I had to physically and emotionally prepare myself for.
Body dysmorphia is an awful thing to deal with, especially in the warmer seasons when shorter, summer fashion rolls into effect.
However…
Summer is short. Life is short. And newsflash: We have a finite amount of summers during our lifetime.
Now… I’m not naïve enough to think that the following list will eradicate your body image struggles... It probably won’t. Overcoming these complex psychological issues requires time, not to mention consistent cognitive monitoring- Very much possible, but not an overnight thing.
Yet, in my own journey, I’ve found healthy distraction to be immensely helpful in turning down the volume of my inner, dysmorphic mean girl.
Instead of obsessing over your body this summer, try out the following:
Make a list of 5 things you want to feel. Plan out your day to best facilitate those feelings. For example, my feelings are: Joy, Sparkle, Connection, Inspiration, Whimsy.
Notice what your emotions feel like in your body. What is the temperature, texture, movement, impression these emotions have and where do they occur in your body?
Go to an outdoor music festival and dress up in a crazy, creative outfit
Draw pictures or messages on the sidewalk with chalk.
Make a summer bucket list of activities to complete before September 20th. (ex. float down the river with friends, go to a music festival, complete a certain amount of mountain hikes)
If your city has them, ride an electric scooter (safely) at top speed.
Set a healthy goal for your body based on what it can do versus what it looks like. My current goals of this kind include a headstand and better flexibility!
Dress up to the nines for no particular occasion.
Aim to make at least one new friend.
Aim to lovingly let go of at least one friend who no longer serves you.
Think of something that makes you really nervous (bungee jumping, eating ice cream, skydiving, making a new friend). Make a game plan to do the scary thing at least once this summer.
When you go to the beach, wear a bathing suit that you LOVE. Go all out with an entire beach outfit.
Go for a walk in the middle of a thunderstorm and get completely drenched. Splash around in the puddles.
Monitor your own judgments of your body. Sit with these judgments. Where do they originate? Are they valid? Why or why not?
Monitor your judgement of others' bodies. Catching yourself in the act will unveil important insights into why you judge yourself.
Grow some plants if you have access to a community garden. Give them Aristocratic names.
Make a weekly gratitude list. Share it with others.
Become a complete expert on a random topic of your choosing.
Dance. This moves energy through the body like nothing else. Dancing truly works wonders when it comes to shifting stagnant moods. If you’ve ever seen me dance, you will know that being Beyoncé is not a prerequisite for this to work.
Try what I call “Sensory Bathing”. Summer is full of sounds, scents, sights and various other sensations. Notice what surrounds you- close your eyes, and soak in everything you can of the experience. My personal favourite is the warmth of golden hour sunlight and the smell of flowers after a nightfall of heavy rain.
Give meaningful and thoughtful compliments to others.
Aim to finish a book you’ve been trying to get through. Make a list of books you want to read before summer’s end.
Go skinny dipping after sunset.
Make a suntan tattoo with a piece of jewellery or a star shaped sticker.
Stay up all night at least once.
Pick wild blueberries in late August and make pancakes or pie.
Leave a kind and encouraging letter in a random place for a stranger to discover.
Do things you liked to do as a child. Buy snacks or a brand of popsicle that you vividly remember from when you were little. Recreate childhood summer pastimes in the present.
Make something with your hands.
Buy a new perfume or cologne that captures your personality and/or elements you want to embody (floral, fresh, spicy, sweet, soft, bold).
Decorate your living space with fresh lilacs.
Buy an item of clothing that you LOVE- something that reflects your personality. Don’t worry about whether or not you have the “right type of body” to pull it off. I love flowing black lace, bright colours and Stevie Nicks sleeves!
Try out a new restaurant or type of cuisine.
Find a really good album and make it your summer soundtrack.
Plan a picnic with a friend. Go all out with fancy picnic foods, rosé and wide brimmed hats.
Remind yourself daily that what you look like is of zero importance to the people who love you.
Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
Remind yourself that nobody notices or even cares what you look like…. They're too busy thinking about themselves.
Be a tourist in your own city and discover something local that you haven't experienced yet.
Aim to define your summer by what you did and who you spent time with, not by what you looked like.
What would you add to this list?
Remember, you are never alone in how you feel… Even in matters of body image and body dysmorphia. Summer may be just the perfect time to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
Click here to learn about our affordable and accessible summer support groups.