hi summer, i’m ready for you just the way i am!

I used to believe that I had to be a certain size or shape to enjoy summer fully. That if my body looked a certain way, then I’d finally feel free to relax, wear the clothes I wanted, and just be. But the truth is, summer is for enjoying—regardless of my body’s size or shape.

The body that’s right for me is the one I have when I’m simply living my life—when I’m enjoying the little things, like eating ice cream as a family on the deck after dinner, going on a hike when the weather feels nice, or having pancakes on a Friday morning. I deserve to experience these everyday moments without guilt.

Unlearning the mindset that told me otherwise took work. I had to reflect on my own internalized beliefs—the societal expectations and biases that are essentially fatphobia that I had absorbed throughout my life. I once believed that being a certain size was the key to living my best life. Thankfully, I now believe my best life is found in accepting my body as it is each day.

During pregnancy and postpartum, our minds may be vulnerable to extra criticism and shame. The changes a body goes through during this time can challenge deeply held beliefs about size, shape, and worth. It’s easy to feel pressure to “bounce back” or control the body’s appearance. But what if caring for your body wasn’t about changing it, but instead about honoring it for the incredible work it's done?

If your relationship with your body or with food feels strained—if you find yourself spending so much mental energy thinking about what you should or shouldn’t eat, or feeling guilt around food—I really recommend working with an eating disorder-informed therapist. It can be so valuable to explore where those preoccupying thoughts and beliefs come from and whether they’re truly serving you.

All of this is to say: I hope this spring and summer, you give yourself permission to let go of any expectations about how your body should look. And if you’re not quite there yet, I encourage you to reflect on those expectations and where they come from.

Here’s to a summer of freedom!

PS - Check out Eating in the Light of the Moon!