How to Combat Bathing Suit Anxiety

At its core, swimwear is vulnerable. Each person comes into bikini shopping with some sort of anxiety about the matter. 

We fully relate – just read about our founder’s story about how Kitty and Vibe was created to make swimwear shopping a more enjoyable experience. While we understand some instances of bathing suit anxiety aren’t easily fixed, we want to share with you some ways we like to combat our worries around swimwear.

Share your feelings with friends and family

"You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown

It’s hard to not feel alone sometimes. When we silently go through life with anxieties about our bodies, it may feel like sharing that part of ourselves becomes more daunting than being anxious in the first place. 

We’re here to say that no story should go untold. Your best friend or a family member might be dealing with similar experiences and are equally as afraid to tell you about them. It’s no easy feat, but sharing your fears, worries, and hardships with someone you trust and feel safe around is a powerful first step that can open so many beautiful doors towards healing and growth.

Be present in your body and remind yourself of your strength

“This body is resilient. It can endure all kinds of things. My body offers me the power of presence. My body is powerful.” – Roxanne Gay

Reframing how we view our bodies is important in gaining back confidence when wearing a swimsuit.  Channel the “power of presence” being in your body can do.

Next time you try on your swimsuit, whether it be in your bedroom or at the beach or pool, close your eyes and take note of all the sensations in your body. Maybe there’s sand in your toes, or carpet beneath your feet. Possibly sun beams warming your skin, or perhaps you feel safer wrapped up in your favorite blanket. There could be sounds of laughter or a good song playing in your speaker. 

Focusing on the gift of feeling reminds you that your body brings so much more to the table than just its appearance. 

Follow people who inspire you on social media

“When a woman finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself." – Glennon Doyle

Instead of following “aspirational” accounts that feed into unrealistic portrayals of bikini bodies, try supporting influencers who inspire you to be a better friend to yourself. 

We have a list of friends of Kitty that we think spread kindness and body acceptance!

• Tonya Ingram, @tonyainstagram
• Lynley Eilers, @lynleyeilers
• Deja Foxx, @dejafoxx
• Veronica Campos, @veroocampos
• Bekah Cloud, @lbmay
• Constance Smith, @lunamodela
• Bailey Scaman, @thebaileyp

Focus on the other (so many!) joys bikini season brings

“Self-care is in the little moments — bathing, sweating, washing your hair. It’s in laughing so hard you can barely catch a breath, your lungs expanding on a morning jog...now more than ever we need to enjoy the quiet within ourselves.” – Lizzo

Warmer weather means more fun nights, summer breeze, freckled skin, sandy hair, and irreplaceable memories with the people you love. Remind yourself the perfect bikini body is just a person wearing a bikini. Be gentle on yourself this swimsuit season. 

Big love!