Why hello every BODDDDYYYY! It is bathing suit season again?! 🫣 Instead of cursing this bloated belly of mine I have decided to embrace it. I am who I am. 🥰
It is safe to say I have an obsession with bathing suits. Growing up it was my daily mission to swim and play at the beach. My current collection of bathing suits has been accumulated over the last decade or so. I unpacked and tried on each bathing suit to pick my suits for the season. I noticed my collection wasn't exactly accommodating for various reasons. Instead it fed the insecurities related to my belly bloating. So the search began for a company I felt could support my current body type for my emotional and physical health and wellness.
Shopping online wasn't exactly my idea of swimsuit shopping. Yet it was time to dive outside of my comfort zone. Revealing online platforms offered the convenience my bloated belly health and wellness journey desired. I wanted to search for a company whom supported the woman I am today. This support included a bathing suit that empowered my current being. A swimsuit company that was aligned with as many of my values/beliefs as possible.
I was exposed to a brand called Montce Swim. Montce Swim is based in areas which are nostalgic for me. So I researched further. Montce Swim's owner is a woman who started making suits from her home in South Florida. Today the brand has evolved to 2 locations in South Florida. These locations are Miami and Fort Lauerdale. The reputation of Montce Swim has earned the cover of Sports Illustrated etc. Their philosophy is the following "We believe you should feel confident and comfortable in your swimwear." This philosophy resonated for me because I am recently coming to terms with my body's current state of its healing journey. I loved supported another woman owned business. I was impressed by some reviews mentioning the quality and support for a larger breast size. Especially since the models seem to all be around the same size? I wished the brand supported a wider range of sizes. I wished the models reflected all the current sizes as well. The price was more than I anticipated spending yet was having a challenging time finding a quality made swimsuit via online. I disliked the return policy only offered exchanges/store credit. Really testing my leap of faith! I waited for a sale. Thankfully, there were other items on the website I desire that would definitely fit in case the swimsuit didn't fit. I believe expensive clothing doesn't always deliver high quality products. Inexpensive clothing doesn't always last. It is the hang up with any type of shopping. We are all looking for those brands that hits our sweet spots. I gravitate towards quality that will with stand a period of years within my budget. This lesson has saved me a lot of money on all purchases.
I fell in love with a suit that went on sale! I decided to purchase montceswim.com Helena Floral swimsuit. I selected the Lucy bikini top and the brasil bikini bottom. Once it arrived via mail I immediately tried it on. The color and quality was even better in person than I imagined. BUT the fit thooooo! It was true to size and aligned with their philosophy. I can tell this suit will last for years if properly cared for. I can tell it can be adjusted as my weight fluctuates. Most of all it did not accentuate my bloated belly. Montce Swim did not sponsor my insight. My bloated belly journey is more than the requirement of a new bathing suit. It required some deep self reflection on the definition of beauty.
I realized my definition of beauty was influenced by my environment. Once I realized that this vision of beauty no longer served me. Contrast gave birth to expansion. I took the allotted time to make aligned choices. I find it creates more joy in my life. Taking into consideration what story my body tells only empowers me more.
Orchid Health Wellness's mantra is to "LIVE TRUE". Our mantra is all about living authentically. It has created a safer space for myself and all of us to feel seen. So what my belly can bloat?! Our bodies have changed. I am beautiful! You are beautiful! What defines us is not found on social media. What defines us is in our spirit. Every difference between us allows us to see beauty in another form. Just as mother nature intended. Every part of our journey in this human expansion has prepared us for the path we are on. Our lives has implemented the grace of preparing us for the next chapter ahead.
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