Every June, the internet collectively decides it is time to become “summer ready.”

Suddenly everyone is waking up at 5am to drink chlorophyll water, influencers are aggressively blending protein powder into things that never needed protein powder, and somebody somewhere is once again trying to convince us that carbs are the enemy.

At some point, “Hot Girl Summer” stopped being about confidence and fun and got swallowed whole by Diet Culture.

What started as freedom, joy, and Megan Thee Stallion energy somehow became “Summer Shred” challenges, step-count obsessions, and people publicly announcing they are “being good” before going on holiday.

Everywhere you look, summer is being sold as a body type.

Suddenly we are being told to sculpt, tighten, tone, de-bloat, and “get snatched” before stepping anywhere near a pub garden. The pressure ramps up because June is when bodies become more visible, and Diet Culture absolutely hates when people exist comfortably in visible bodies.

Especially women.

Especially people in larger bodies.

Especially anyone who dares to wear a crop top without first acting like they owe society an apology for their stomach.

And honestly? It is exhausting.

Because “Hot Girl Summer” was never supposed to mean shrinking yourself into acceptability. The original energy was confidence. Chaos. Fun. Wearing the outfit because you like it, not because you finally achieved some arbitrary body goal set by a wellness influencer called Olivia.

The saddest part is how many people spend June trying to become “summer ready” instead of actually enjoying summer.Avoiding BBQs. Cancelling beach trips. Hiding under oversized shirts during heatwaves that nobody survives looking elegant in anyway.

So here is your reminder: you do not need to earn visibility.

Wear the shorts. Take up space. Sweat a little. Eat the ice cream before it melts.

A Hot Girl Summer was never about the size of your body. It was about the audacity to enjoy your life in it.

Laura x

P.s. I benefit from thin privilege. My body moves through the world with societal protections and acceptance that many people, especially those in larger bodies, are unfairly denied due to systemic barriers.

P.p.s. Please ignore typos, I do actually write these myself 🤣