If you watched the "Spongebob" episode where Patrick Star turns into Patricia, you’ll see that all the men fall at their feet towards Patricia – saying compliments about her left and right. Yet, when we watch the episode we are laughing because these guys in the episode are throwing themselves at Patricia who is really Patrick Star. Although this show is based around making children laugh, I believe we can learn a lesson from this episode – especially with summer around the corner.

Every girl I talk to has the chatter of working out and getting their summer body in order (and I’ll admit, I fall into this category at times). It’s natural to want to look good in a bathing suit, but does that mean we have to hate our bodies to get there? It is one thing to want to become healthier, but if you want to lose weight just to fit into society, then that is not a good motive. Some girls I know want to lose weight and look good because they want to be hit on. News flash: if someone hits on you just because you’re good-looking, then they’re probably just a pig. Yet, society is engraving in our head that this is what we should be striving for: thinner bodies so that we look attractive for men who want to catcall us on the street.

Every person on this Earth is unique, yet we are trying to conform into this little box society wants us to fit into. Although in reality, this is so damaging to our self-esteem and confidence. If Patricia Star was walking around in her bikini today, our society would deem her as ugly, but in this episode she is portrayed as attractive. Why can’t we have Patricia’s confidencein our bodies, and have Bikini Bottom’s acceptance of body shapes? No matter what our bodies currently look like as summer is approaching, we need to begin to love them. Love our bodies with all the flaws that come with them, because even with our flaws, we can glow like Patricia.

At the same time, we need to begin to love other people’s bodies for what they are. The hateful comments need to stop as that only pushes society to conform us to fit in this unrealistic, indistinguishable box. Instead, we need to build each other up in our uniqueness and different body shapes and sizes. In the end, we all are fighting the same fight against these unachievable standards that media places on us, so instead we should encourage one another to just love themselves the way they are.

This summer, you can be the Patricia everyone turns their heads at on the street, but it begins with self-confidence in your body – accepting flaws and all.