Comparison Culture: Every Body is a Bikini Body

In a world of comparison culture, where skinny is never skinny enough and being “healthy” is overweight, this unfortunate dysfunction can promote the unattainable goal of the “perfect body.”

Spring break, the much-desired escape from the realities of a dreary State College winter, creates the perfect fostering ground for comparison culture. Whether subconscious or not, people constantly compare their bodies to those around them, especially when skimpy bikinis are involved.

Body Image

“That looks way better on her,” “Ugh, we don’t fit in the same size” or “I wish I looked like her” are all common intrusive thoughts with which females have burdened themselves.

It is nearly impossible to be satisfied with your body image. Disturbing new trends of weight loss, including Ozempic, create an ongoing vicious cycle of always attempting to catch up to your skinnier self, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Show Yourself Some Love

While it may appear daunting, self-assurance is crucial for bolstering your body confidence during what can be a very toxic vacation mindset.

Self-assurance is trust in yourself, loving yourself from the inside out and focusing more so on your character and abilities rather than the image you see in the mirror. It is recognizing your value and the positive attributes you carry on daily.

It’s Not Just You, We Promise

Another way to fight comparison culture is to understand that everyone is struggling with his/her/their body image and to maintain the mindset that comparison goes both ways. The girl whom you admire and obsess over may be struggling with her own issues too.

Maintaining the mindset that everyone is struggling with this comparison culture helps you understand that you are not alone in this struggle. Knowing that everyone is body-checking and feeling insecure can help you overcome your feelings of inadequacy.

Celebrate Yourself

Practice gratitude and self-compassion; speak to yourself with the same kindness you would offer your younger self. Appreciate the health journey you’re currently undertaking, regardless of where others are on their path. It is important to recognize and celebrate the aspects unrelated to appearance, both in yourself and others.

The Importance of Letting Go

Finally, focus on letting go and managing what is within your control. Those negative feelings often stem from unpredictability and unease about the things around you that you cannot control so focusing on what you can control is important.

You Have the Choice

You can manage the memories you’ll create this spring break trip, but you cannot control how other girls look in their bikinis. Comparing your body to those around you is an active choice, and you can consciously choose to deter yourself from that destructive mindset.

If you succeed, you will be blessed with lifelong memories of being surrounded by loved ones and you will simply forget how your bikini was a little too snug for your liking.