Summer Bodies, Social Pressure, and Feeling Safe in Your Skin

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist | Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling Therapy

Inc.

Posted: June 18, 2026

When Summer Feels Exposing

As summer arrives, so does a shift—not just in weather, but in how we experience our bodies.

Layers come off. Social events increase. There are beaches, pools, patios, and gatherings where appearance can feel more visible than usual. And for many people, this doesn’t feel freeing. It feels… exposing.

In therapy, I often hear clients describe summer as a time when body image anxiety intensifies.

The pressure to feel confident, to look a certain way, or to meet unspoken social expectations can create discomfort, self-consciousness, and even avoidance.

The Pressure of “Summer Bodies”

We’ve all heard the messaging—subtle or direct—about getting “summer ready.” It’s

everywhere. Social media, advertising, conversations, even well-meaning comments.

The underlying message is often:

Your body needs to change in order to be acceptable.

And when we internalize that, it can lead to:

• Constant comparison

• Negative self-talk

• Avoiding activities like swimming or social events

• Feeling like we don’t belong in certain spaces

But here’s the truth: your body is not a project that needs to be completed before you can

participate in your life.

A Personal Reflection

This is something I’ve had to work through myself.

As a mom, and as someone living with PCOS, my relationship with my body has not always

been simple. Over time, I’ve lost over 75 pounds—and while that’s often seen as something to celebrate, it doesn’t automatically erase body image struggles.

Even now, summer can still feel… vulnerable.

There are moments where I feel confident, and moments where I don’t. Moments where old

thoughts creep in. Moments where I become aware of how visible my body feels.

And then there are the stretch marks.

I try to speak kindly to them. I remind myself that each mark represents something

meaningful—that my body carried and brought healthy babies into this world. There is truth in that, and I can intellectually understand the strength and significance of it.

But I also want to be honest.

The insecurity can still linger.

I’ve heard the expression many times—“tiger stripes,” “you earned them,” “they’re beautiful.”

And while I understand the intention behind it, it never quite resonated with me. I didn’t love

them. I didn’t feel empowered by them.

And I think that’s okay to say.

Because body acceptance isn’t about forcing yourself to love every part of your body. Sometimes it’s about learning to hold both truths at once—gratitude and discomfort, appreciation and insecurity.

That’s where real compassion begins.

Anxiety and the Body

From a psychological perspective, body image anxiety is closely tied to perception and safety. When we feel judged—or anticipate being judged—our nervous system can interpret that as a threat.

This can lead to:

• Increased self-monitoring

• Social anxiety

• Avoidance behaviors

• Physical tension

For some, this looks like overthinking what to wear. For others, it means avoiding photos, events, or certain environments altogether.

This isn’t vanity—it’s the nervous system trying to protect you.

Social Expectations and Comparison Culture

Social media has amplified body image concerns in powerful ways. We are constantly exposed to curated, filtered, and often unrealistic representations of bodies.

It creates a comparison loop:

• Do I look like that?

• Should I look like that?

• Why don’t I look like that?

But comparison is rarely fair—because we are comparing our real, lived-in bodies to someone else’s curated highlight reel.

Moving Toward Body Positivity—and Body Neutrality

Body positivity is often described as loving your body at all times. While that’s a beautiful

concept, it’s not always realistic.

An alternative is body neutrality—the idea that your worth is not defined by your appearance.

This might sound like:

• “My body allows me to live my life.”

• “I don’t have to love every part of my body to respect it.”

• “I am more than how I look.”

This approach can feel more attainable and less pressured.

Supporting Yourself This Summer

If body image anxiety is present for you, here are some gentle ways to support yourself:

• Wear what feels comfortable—not what you think you “should” wear

• Limit exposure to comparison triggers

• Practice compassionate self-talk

• Focus on experiences rather than appearance

• Stay present in moments instead of monitoring how you look

You deserve to participate in your life now—not when your body feels different.

A Different Kind of Safety

Feeling safe in your body doesn’t mean loving how you look every day.

It means:

• Showing up anyway

• Allowing yourself to be seen

• Letting go of perfection

• Choosing presence over judgment

Final Thoughts

Summer can be beautiful—and complicated.

If this season brings up body image struggles, know that you’re not alone. Your experience is

valid, and it doesn’t take away from your strength, your progress, or your worth.

You are allowed to take up space.

You are allowed to enjoy your life.

You are allowed to feel both confident and uncertain—and still show up.

Sign-Off

With compassion for the relationship, you have with your body and respect for the journey

you’re on,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist

Founder & Clinical Director

Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

A Reflection for You

What would it look like to fully show up in your summer—not when your body feels perfect, but exactly as it is right now? ☀️