This summer, it’s time to make our goals less about relationships and bikini bodies, and more about intellect and spiritual growth. It’s time to stop focusing on banishing cellulite but to focus on banishing bad habits. Enjoy the beautiful memories this summer likely carries with it, but don't sink to the level that the season can pull you down into. The summer isn’t about being perfect, and you’ve got to stop beating yourself up for not being whatever you think that perfection is.
You probably hear it all the time, but everyone has something they don’t love about themselves, whether it's their laugh or their ears or the stretch marks on their thighs. And that’s just what it is to be human. But to dwell on those things will only make you miserable. To get caught up in sexy instead of healthy, appealing instead of kind, alluring instead of captivating…that is where your summer will go wrong.
Yes, make goals. Pursue them constantly. Dream big dreams. But do not belittle yourself in the process. There is so much you can change, but there is so much you can do well right now. Take it day by day, moment by moment, and make your summer something to look back on. Make this the summer you didn’t obsess over a perfectly bronzed tan. Make this the summer you focused more on family and friends than workouts and cleanses. Make this the summer you chose interacting with people over building perfection.
You will be your most gorgeous self if you focus on being grateful, healthy, and kind. After all, most people would agree that they would rather be friends with the girl with love handles who smiled the girl with toned abs who gave you a nasty once over. You are loved, you are wanted, and you are needed. But the world doesn’t need your bikini body. The world needs your kind heart. The world needs your helping hands. And the world needs your smile.
