Wearing A Bikini On Social Media Is a Crime, But Not On A Beach

This is just a little ranty kind of story that I wanted to share. I lived in Kona, Hawaii for seven years and now in South Lake Tahoe. I wear bathing suits because I choose to live in high cost of living towns to be near blue water and I don’t want to wear one piece suits because I am short. And because of my proclivity to wear bikinis and jog bras, I go to the gym and work out, I run, bike, hike and swim. What makes me different than most women my age is that I will post an occasional photo of myself on Facebook and sometimes Instagram. I work hard and I like showing my friends a piece of my life and lifestyle.

When I post photos on FB with my family, I get dozens of likes or if I post a new hairstyle, I get the thumbs. But, if I post a bikini photo..you can hear crickets. What I really hear is the sound of judgement. I actually had a friend say, “I hate you for your abs.” At least she was honest!

What I think is happening is that my male friends see the photos and don’t want to like or comment lest they be seen as leches or they think my husband my see their approval. Women will have their own thoughts about either my brazenness, or they don’t want to encourage my behaviour or I need to stand down and stop the nonsense and put my damn shirt on.

The funny thing is, is that I am not laying across a rock with a “come and get it boys” look. Nope. I usually just stand there..or sometimes I even do handstands on the beach. That throws most for a loop. But I am ON A PUBLIC BEACH where any one of my friends could see me cavorting about half nude. And it’s ok then. But don’t put that stuff on Facebook, heaven forbid.

Ok, I know about social media and how my employers may perceive me if I post photos of my skin. But guess what? I am a freelancer and if my potential clients think I am some bathing suit hussy, that is for them to consider. But I don’t do it that often, knowing the social norms and Puritanical essence of life on the net.

I’m getting old. 52. I see beautiful bodies on Instagram from my daughter showing me and I see what “older” women look like. I wish there were a group of “let’s break down the barriers” and post what our bodies look like while we are doing what we love. It doesn’t have to be about sexy. It’s about healthy, and fit and having fun. And not just on a beach. But in a social media account feed.

Rant over. Shirt goes back on.

Julie Chancerelle Ziemelis

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I am a blogger, creative writer, lover of adventure, a mom, a wife, and getting together with friends over wine is a luxury.

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