What pops into your head when you hear the word "summer"? Maybe it's images of palm trees, the feel of sand between your toes, or the scent of chlorine and sunscreen. I can just feel the world getting a little brighter when I remember summer is on the way. Unfortunately, not everyone has such happy thoughts associated with the new season. For many, there's a sense of pressure, anxiety, and insecurity. This is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, so what's with all the pressure? I blame Hot Girl Summer.
What is Hot Girl Summer?
It's a trend sweeping across TikTok and Instagram that emphasizes having a glow-up to enjoy the best summer ever. There are some aspects of Hot Girl Summer that I love. Improving yourself through healthy eating and working out is awesome for your mental and physical health. Hyping yourself up for summer and planning all sorts of fun picnics, beach days, and wearing cute outfits with friends describes my ideal summer. But behind the high-vibe exterior, Hot Girl Summer hides a belief that's dangerous: you have to change to be happy.
Self-improvement is great, however, spreading the idea that you can't be happy until you've met certain goals is setting yourself up for failure. Why? Because there will always be more to improve. If there's always something we need to improve, then we'll never be happy.
The Lies of Hot Girl Summer
Hot Girl Summer gives us false promises that we'll achieve happiness if we lose weight and conform to popular beauty standards. So let's dive into the many lies of Hot Girl Summer.
1.I can't enjoy summer unless I lose weight. This is the biggest lie. Social media is full of photos and videos of people editing their bodies to look thinner and curvy in ONLY the right places. People are all to happy to let you think that they aren't using photoshop, so the lines between reality and editing become blurred. With all the editing apps available, there will always be photos of people who are thinner or more curvaceous than you. You can't compete with your real body when others are using technology that has no limits. If you do meet your ideal weight, body trends will change and your body won't be in style anymore. Plus, the pressure to get in shape for summer may urge you to take steps to lose weight that aren't healthy and might even be dangerous. Losing weight fast through starvation diets can have devastating consequences.
Am I saying that wanting to lose weight is bad? Not at all! I'm just hoping that you will check your motives for wanting to start this journey and encourage you to do it in a healthy way. Ask your doctor for informat On what a healthy weight for you is and for methods that are good for you to make that happen. There's a difference between losing weight for aesthetics and losing weight for health.
2. Attention on Social Media Will Prove My Worth. Unfortunately, lots of us haven't received validation from the people in our lives. From absentee parents, bullying, and the competitive nature of our society, we have been pushed down much more than we have been lifted up. Social media is one way that we try to fill that void. But no matter how many likes, comments, and shares we get, it can't fill that hole in our hearts.
The only one who can is Jesus. I know the words of a stranger on the internet may not be enough to help you realize this, but I want you to know how very important you are to God. The same God who made oceans, mountains, and flowers decided that he wanted you to be there to see it all. He is an artist who doesn't make junk and sacrificed his own son so that we can be with him forever in Heaven.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
How to Have a Healthy Hot Girl Summer
Like I said earlier, there are a few things that are great about Hot Girl Summer. Hyping yourself up to have a good time, taking extra time to care for yourself, and making plans with friends are all fantastic. So I'm suggesting we do Hot Girl Summer a bit differently this year. I say we should embrace and celebrate the way we look right now. We should improve our confidence by wearing clothes that look good on us at the size we are right now. We should eat healthy, but also enjoy icecream sundaes and Friday night pizza. We should post photos with the girls and go to the beach without worrying about what others are thinking about us.
I know this is easier said then done, so I made a series called "Healthy Hot Girl Summer" on the @FriendlyPsych Instagram. I'll be posting all summer long on practical tips for being confident in your unique beauty, protecting your mental health, and having the best summmer ever without the pressure of "glowing-up". Parts 1 & 2 are already up so go check it out!
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