My Swimsuit Image for Summer 2015

Note: My words are not to condemn, criticize, or shame any woman or girl who rightfully chooses to wear a two-piece. My message is to share and discuss my personal decision to choose modesty over societal fashion norms in the swimsuit realm for this summer, with the hopes to encourage women and girls that they can still feel beautiful in a more modest choice for swimwear. 

(I discovered this above image on Pinterest, and fell in love with the tagline!)

For the past 2 summers, going to the pool for me has been a vexing thing. My boyfriend at the time would encourage me that I looked “awesome”, and “beautiful” in my 2 piece swimsuit, but I just did not feel that way; I was more concerned about which areas of my body were not being covered by material, and trying to figure out how to walk/sit a certain way so I would not expose those certain areas. 

This summer, I am making a personal vow to wear modest, yet cute tankini swimsuit tops, with skirt bottoms. I understand I am going against society’s trend of wearing trendy two-piece, and strappy suits; however, I can wholeheartedly say that I have not felt more elegant, and of a timeless beauty than when I looked at myself in the mirror in a more modest styled suit.

Since battling body image issues, the idea of going to a pool for the past 2 summers brought me into an emotional turmoil, along with rehashing bad eating behavior habits to get to that ideal image I had in my mind to look when I went to the pool. This summer is going to be different, and I am taking a stand to conquer the Enemy once and for all against this raging war that stirs in young women and girls. 

John 10:10 tells us, "The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."-"I" being referenced to Jesus Christ, my personal Savior.

Last summer, I decided to wear a “one-piece” for the first time. It was a fashionable one-piece, with cut-outs, and from Victoria’s Secret. Not to dish on Victoria’s Secret, but I still felt revealing in the swimsuit I bought from their store. I was not satisfied with that feeling, along with carrying the eerie notion that I may possibly be sending off messages to those around me (particularly men) that my goal in wearing that suit was to have them lust after my swimsuit; I did not want that AT ALL because I have brothers in Christ who have discussed how difficult it is to go to the pool because of the temptation surrounding them.

This summer, I am putting away my “one-piece” swimsuit, ignoring societal norms and expectations for young women my age to wear of wear two-piece swimsuits, and I am vowing wear more modest swimsuits that make me feel beautiful and comfortable, and are still chic/trendy, with the hopes to portray a message to the young girls I am babysitting that they do not have to wear a small swimsuit they are uncomfortable in just to fit in with society. By wearing a more modest swimsuit, I plan to be respectful and more mindful of men around me who struggle with lust and temptations when going to the pool.

Some have questioned why I choose not to wear two-piece swimsuits that show off, and accentuate my athletic physique.

I’ve come up with 5 answers to this question which helps further explain why I am choosing modesty this summer in my swim-suits options:

1) I want to feel comfortable in my own skin.

Why should I compromise feeling uncomfortable in my body to “fit-in” with what everyone else’s swim-suits look like? If feeling comfortable in my own skin at the pool means wearing a tankini, and a skirt, then I am definitely choosing that route. I would rather pay $30 more for more material on a suit, than spending my time at the pool worrying about if I am uncovering or showing too much.

2) I want to be a role model to the girls I am babysitting this summer.

To clear up any misconceptions, I do not believe that people who choose to wear two-piece swimsuits set a bad example; however, I do believe that I can set an example to the girls I am babysitting that I am comfortable in my modest swim-suit, and do not have to worry about anything untying or falling off when I am playing water games with them. I want to show these young girls that they are beautiful in swimsuits that may have more material on them. I want them to know that if they are uncomfortable revealing their shapes in tiny swimsuits, they have another option that is fashionable, yet modest.

3) I do not want to send wrong messages to men.

I have read many articles, and had personal encounters with guy friends who have shared with me how tempting it is in the summertime for them, since girls/women’s clothing seems to get smaller with less material. Instead of sending a message of contributing to lustful/tempting thoughts, I want to portray a message to men that I respect them enough to cover my shape so I can do the least amount of harm in their thought process.

4) I want to have fun at the pool, not fret.

Instead of fretting or worrying about what I look like at the pool, I will focus on having fun with friends, and the kiddos I am babysitting. I will focus on how confident I feel, and how I am portraying my true self from the inside out.

  

5) I want to honor my body, as God instructs me to.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”. I am choosing not to look back on any decisions I have made in my life post-wholeheartedly dedicating my life to Christ; however, I do know that I can make the decision today to honor my body, and I believe I will do that by modestly covering up my body at the pool this summer.

My encouragement to readers is to honor your body, respect your body, and be comfortable in your own skin. I also want to challenge each of you to evaluate what kind of message you are portraying by the kind of swimsuits you choose to wear this summer.

As a part of my dying daily to Christ, I am constantly praying to view myself the way He views me. I am reminded of the Psalm 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

May you feel the blessings from God on High today. I pray my words have been edifying, and may my inspiration for this message be credited from God's prompting me to do so.

-Hannah