How do people think and talk about other people's bodies? And how do these words affect how we see ourselves? We're asking our readers to share their body image stories with us for our first-ever Take Back The Beach essay contest.

What's the one sentence that changed the way you saw your body, and how did it affect you?

This can be something someone said to you or something you read — the important thing is that it altered your body confidence, for better or worse.

Submit your 300-900 word essay along with a photo of yourself that we can publish alongside your story between June 30 and August 7, 2017.

Once received, your story will be reviewed by our editors before publishing on Refinery29*. At the end of August, this team of editors will select six of their favorite essays (from those eligible) and winners will receive cash prizes.

See the full contest rules and terms for more information about eligibility and prizes**.

For inspiration before submitting your story, read through some published Take Back The Beach reader essays here.



*Essay entries that contain hate speech, praise of terrorism or hate groups, nude images, unlicensed photos of celebrities or public figures, or the glorification of self-injury or harmful behavior will be excluded from the contest and publishing on Refinery29 websites. Additionally, Refinery29 reserves the right to exclude entries that are below editorial standards in terms of grammar, syntax, and organization from publishing on the site or for any other reasons in Refinery29’s sole discretion.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States (excluding Rhode Island), 18 years or older. Ends August 7, 2017 at 11:59 pm E.T. For Official Rules, click here [or go to http://r29.co/2u3mxA9]. Void where prohibited.

The contest has closed