Holiday Glow vs. Beer Belly Bros: Why Women Feel the Pressure

There’s something about booking a holiday that instantly flips a switch in women. Suddenly it’s all about the prep. Waxing, plucking, scrubbing, exfoliating. Gym panic in the final two weeks. Fake tan test runs. Nails, lashes, hair. And don’t even get me started on the suitcase — we’re talking day looks, night looks, beach looks, emergency “what if I spill wine on my playsuit” looks. Military precision packing.

And then… you arrive at the resort. You’ve survived airport queues, managed not to smudge the fresh mani, and finally get poolside. And what do you see? A gang of men strutting around with bald patches, beer bellies, and one sad pair of flip-flops they’ve owned since 2012. Pint in hand before midday. Zero pressure. Zero panic. And somehow… still absolutely loving life.

It’s funny, but also unfair. Studies show women feel significantly more pressure to be “holiday ready” than men. From magazines to social media, we’ve been conditioned to believe a trip abroad requires a full-blown glow-up transformation. Meanwhile, Dave just rocks up with his trunks and vibes.

But here’s the truth no one tells you: nobody cares as much as you think. At the pool, people are too busy worrying about their own sunburn, their own bloating, or whether the all-inclusive bar has run out of mojitos. Nobody is zooming in on your thighs.

So maybe the men have cracked it. Maybe the real secret to enjoying a holiday isn’t the perfect bikini body, but the carefree, unapologetic energy of “belly out, don’t care.” Because when you think about it, confidence is louder than abs, laughter looks better than lip gloss, and memories last longer than manicures.

So ladies, yes — pack the outfits, get the nails done if it makes you feel good. But don’t forget to pack that energy too. The unapologetic, “I’m here to enjoy myself” confidence. Because at the end of the day, the glow that really matters isn’t on your skin. It’s in your vibe. ✨