A new lady showed up for Aqua Fit the other day. She was unsure of what to do and where to go, so I helped her out. While we were talking, she mentioned that she was hesitant to take the class because the pool is basically a giant fishbowl. Floor to super-high-ceiling windows surround the pool on three sides; two face the parking lot, and the third faces the front desk of the gym proper.
I totally get her apprehension about parading around in a small, skin-hugging piece of material in that environment. She isn’t the first person to talk to me about it. In fact, I know a handle of people (all women), who won’t join my gym because of the fishbowl-ness of the pool.
I am plenty insecure about how my body looks in all sorts of situations, but for the simple reason that I love swimming beyond all measure, I have never felt insecure about being in a bathing suit in public. I figure if the people in the gym don’t like looking at my body as I move from the locker room to the pool, they can avert their eyes. Swimming and taking Aqua Fit are two of the fitness activities that make me the happiest, and I won’t let what others think about my body stop me from doing them.
But! you say. But what about those of us who don’t have that overwhelming love of the water, who want to get into the pool and are terrified of being In A Swimsuit in Public?
First, realize that what other people may or may not be thinking about your bathing-suited body doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t. What matters is you being brave, and feeling comfortable to take up space in the places you want to spend time in.
We spend so much of our lives worrying about mights. What might happen if, what someone might say if. Someone might be cruel if. Someone might laugh at us or pick on us or tell us we’re unworthy if. Someone might not love us if. Those mights are based on the possibility of fear and shame. Just the possibility!
Here’s another truth for you (and this applies to pretty much every public situation, whether or not you are barely clothed): Pretty much everyone else is too busy worrying about what people are thinking about them to be bothered with thinking about you.
I dare you to stop letting might control your life. I’m going to stop, too. Right now. If I post a picture of myself in a bathing suit on the internet, people might not like it. They might make fun of me. But I’m not going to worry about possible shame and fear. I can’t very well ask you to abandon might if I’m not ready to do the same. So here we go. Oh, and #nofilter!
Life is short, friends. Be brave. Dive in!
