I Wore a Bikini for the First Time — Here’s What I Learned

I always thought “if only I was skinny enough to wear a bikini.” But a couple weeks ago I wore a bikini for the first time. And guess what? Even if you don’t have a six-pack or a thigh gap, you can still wear a bikini — and still look and feel good in it.

I’ve never worn a bikini in my life — that is, until a couple of weeks ago when I went on vacation in Miami Beach.

I probably wore a bikini when I was a baby or a child, but in my adult life, I haven’t quite been able to cross that border. I have a vivid memory of being on vacation with my family when I was maybe 12 or 13 and putting on a new bikini my mom had bought me for the trip — and crying. I couldn’t walk out of that hotel room wearing that bikini. Even at that young age, I was already aware of my curves, my extra pounds and the fact that I didn’t fit in with society’s definition of a “beach body.”

Since that day, it’s been one pieces and tankinis for me. And always with a flowy cover up dress to do exactly that — cover up.

I always thought if only I was skinny enough to wear a bikini.

Well, the truth is wearing a bikini isn’t really about being skinny. Sure, everyone wants to look good in a bikini, but if you don’t have a six-pack or a thigh gap, you can still wear a bikini — and…