Most people would assume the obvious answer to the title question is "to cover up." In actuality, that's exactly correct. We go through great extremes to buy the perfect swimwear and then we cover up with a variety of coordinated styles for the different shapes and sizes of our bodies. While going through the swimsuit, cover up process for a vacation, I asked myself, “Why am I really covering up?” I realize there are times when it is appropriate, but most often we use the cover up to hide the inner conflicts many of us have about our bodies. We essentially want to hide the information that we do not want others to know or see.
We look at the cover up as a safe haven that helps us answer the questions.
- Will people look at me?
- Is too much showing?
- Are my butt, thighs and hips too big?
- What about cellulite and varicose veins?
- Am I too old?
This physical identity can place a toll on us mentally, particularly when we assume the answer is yes to our self-induced questions.
The insecurities about our outer appearance can escalate to the point that we cover up to rationalize our inner conflicts. How are we to enjoy ourselves (at the beach or pool) when we are placing so much emphasis on how we look and who is looking at us instead of who we are? Until we place our insecurities on the table, we will always justify the external cover up to hide our internal fears. Your external cover up becomes too physical when we allow our body appearance to invade our mental comfort zones.
We should focus more on removing self-doubt and replacing it with self-worth. Give yourself the gift of acceptance, appreciation, patience, perseverance and confidence, which leads to embracing and loving yourself with or without a cover up.
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