When I Didn’t Even Feel Good in a Sundress…

There was a summer when I remember pulling out a sundress I used to love — soft cotton, flowy, flattering — and instead of feeling confident and light…

…I felt uncomfortable, bloated, and like I wanted to crawl out of my skin.

I kept tugging at the fabric all day.
Crossing my arms.
Not wanting to take photos.
Saying no to dessert because I already felt “puffy.”
Avoiding hugs because my stomach felt too sensitive to touch.

All the things I used to look forward to about summer — outdoor parties, date nights, laughing with girlfriends on patios — just made me more aware of how bad I felt in my body.

☀️ The Emotional Toll of Summer Discomfort

Bloating and gut issues don’t just show up in your digestion.
They mess with your mind, your confidence, your joy.

They make you second-guess your outfit, your appetite, your plans, and sometimes even your worth.

I know that sounds heavy. But it’s the truth I wish more people talked about.

Because if you're someone who…

• Feels anxious about summer clothes because of bloating
  
  
• Skips meals or drinks to “stay flat” and ends up more tired
  
  
• Worries about gas or discomfort at a pool party, BBQ, or girls’ night
  
  
• Pushes through discomfort with a smile but feels miserable inside…
  
  

Friend, you are not alone.

And it’s not vanity. It’s not you being “too sensitive.”
It’s your body sending signals that it needs more support — not more restriction.

💛 There Is a Way Through

You don’t need to live at war with your body this summer.
You don’t need to shrink your joy to manage your symptoms.
You don’t have to fake feeling good.

There are real, gentle, effective things you can do — starting with understanding your gut and listening to what it’s telling you.

👉 Start With This Free Resource

I created a guide that walks you through how to reduce bloat after eating — without cutting out all your favorite foods or going on another diet.

It’s the cheat sheet I wish I had back when I was quietly suffering in sundresses.

Download the “Reduce Bloat After Eating” guide here.

If this season has felt harder than it should — emotionally or physically — I see you.
And I believe healing can start with something simple and supportive.

With love and gentleness,
Shannon