This is the story of how I told myself to “Get Over yourself and Wear the Bikini.” (Super awkward photo of myself for proof. Thanks husband.)

Late last year I bought my daughter a swimsuit for an upcoming trip to Hawaii that I thought she’d love. It was kind of neon rainbow with ruffles and silver hearts and it was right up her alley. Also it was a two piece. She has other two pieces but they mainly consist of a long sleeve rashguard and bottoms (because noone likes putting sunscreen on a wiggly kid) so this suit showed significantly more than she was used to. I don’t remember our exact conversation when I showed it to her but she basically told me that she didn’t think she’d feel comfortable wearing it unless I was also wearing a two-piece.

Now, to be completely transparent, my body is the biggest it’s been in my life. But I’m not unhealthy. I work out 4 days a week. I’m probably stronger than I’ve ever been in my life. My cholesterol is actually lower than it’s been in the past. But I still sometimes struggle with how my body looks in clothes. It’s hard to dress this body sometimes. For someone who loves clothes, that can be tough! But I’ve also been doing the work of loving this body. And getting over my own insecurities. Because I’m pretty awesome, let’s be honest. #sorrynotsorry

So when she mentioned that to me I told her I would do exactly that. I ordered one from Aerie and decided to just do it. And guess what? It wasn’t painful or embarrassing. No one pointed and laughed. LITERALLY NO ONE CARED. But my kid? She freaking rocked her suit and had a BLAST.

The thing I’ve realized after lots of travel and seeing all kinds of bodies in all kinds of swimsuits giving zero effs is that noone cares what you look like but you. So you might as well get over yourself and wear the bikini. And in the process you might just pass along that IDGAF attitude to your kids. Fingers crossed.

If you’re ready to kick your insecurities to the curb and do a beach session with your kids in which you’re all wearing swimsuits and having a good flippin’ time, get in touch! Let’s document that! Your kids will thank you later.