_{Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s Writing}

What I know for sure is that this picture of mine will get a much higher engagement than other pictures posted recently on Instagram.

The reason, I know too: The bikini, the skin-show, the beach bums in your face. 

My friends (if I can loosely call them that), and followers, often point out to me that my Instagram has several thousand followers BECAUSE of such pictures. Well, yes! I know. Trust me, I handle my account, I analyse the insights so I KNOW. Each time I upload a picture leaning even slightly on the erotic side, my followers increase at the speed of light!

But, what I also know for sure is that that is not the reason why I post these pictures. I do it because I like it. I love beaches. I love bikinis. They make me feel sexy. 

And lastly, I love my body. Unapologetically. 

I am barely 5-feet tall, with love handles on my back, loose skin on my arms, thick thighs and way too many stretch marks on my legs. Yet, I love my body. 

Growing up, I faced a lot of backlash from my relatives, sometimes even my parents, about my short stature, my voluptuous breasts and my big hips. Many a times, I was advised to not wear tight clothes. To wear better bras. 

It was only when I started going to a women’s college, that I realised: I had an hour-glass figure! Is it good? I remember asking one of my friends who told me about it! Well, it’s only the most sought after! She said. 

That was the first streak of confidence that sparked in my young heart and mind. And the rest, as they say, is history. Today, you can’t get me out of a swimsuit, or rather get me in to anything “more covering”. 

In hindsight, may be we are asking the wrong question. The question is not whether or not women should upload pictures from their beach getaways. The real question is why should they not? What is so terribly unusual about a woman enjoying the cool waves and the warm sand? 

What I know is that it is completely normal, usual and may be even mundane. I know this will set many eyes rolling and many elbows nudging (just like the ones in the parties that I attend) but here are some shocking revelations: 

Women’s bodies ARE normal: Fat or slim.

Women have breasts: Big or Small.

Women have rounded hips: Bouncy or Otherwise 

Women dress in special outfits at the beach: Swimsuits or Bikinis.

Now that I have stated the obvious, I would like to conclude by emphasising another thing that I know for sure: 

Your body is yours. Your Instagram is yours. 

Decorate it the way you want to! 

Shipra is a professional copywriter, a teeny-tiny content creator on Instagram and a woman going through an all time existential crisis. She loves positive vibes, cats, dogs, bright outfits and life!