I am a college swimmer and have been competitively swimming my entire life. Because of the nature of the locker room, I have seen more than a normal amount of female parts. My experiences in locker rooms and exposure to online nudity/porn has allowed me to appreciate the fact that no two vulvas are the same. In fact, I find the concept to be extremely beautiful.

Though I have been able to value the the uniqueness of the vulvas of other girls, I have failed to appreciate my own. My labia minora hang far below my labia majora, and the hood on my clit is very visible, even from a few meters away. Through my swimming career I have always grown out my pubic hair in a (poor) effort to hide my privates.

This year I have been trying to face my insecurities head on by accepting my vulva and shaving away my pubic hair. Hairless is so much more comfortable in a swimsuit!

I still become a bit uncomfortable when I see my labia lips reflecting in the mirror, but pushing myself to accept them has brought me a long way from the discomfort I grew up with. When I see your posts on Instagram, I am reminded to love my vulva, and appreciate my vulva's beauty as much as I appreciate other ladies' unique vulvas.

Again, thank you for your encouragement!