Body Neutrality
Your body is a good body no matter the size and shape. If feeling body positive feels out of reach right now, try on body neutrality for size.
While body positivity is based on the idea of loving and celebrating your body regardless of size and societal beauty norms, body neutrality takes a different approach. You do not need to love your body, your size, or your appearance in order to respect it. All bodies are worthy of respect– full stop.
I often notice that when the seasons start to change and people’s lives change with them, thoughts around bodies and preoccupation with size tend to increase. As humans, when something feels new and out of control, it is not unlikely for us to seek a way to feel more in control. And considering we live in a society that preaches about achieving “health” by manipulating our food and bodies to shrink, I could understand believing that becoming smaller would make life feel easier. Except, when our bodies shrink from deprivation, we shrink: we have less emotional capacity, less focus, less presence, less power. So, if it feels hard to think about speaking positively about your body and you are tempted to fall into acts of deprivation, test out body neutrality first.
What does your body do for you?
Your body is not here for anyone else’s viewing pleasure. What are you able to do because of your body?
For me, I think about the ways in which my legs allow me to get up and down the stairs in my home. In the summer, I think about how my legs let me walk on the beach. I think of how my hands help me to type, to squeeze my friends when I hug them, and to bake in the kitchen. I think of how my arms help me to hold my grocery basket, and how they allow me to carry books home from the library.
Or maybe it isn’t about what different parts of your body allow you to do, and it’s more about how you are able to engage in your life when you are fully nourished and cared for. Maybe you notice that you are more compassionate when you are fed, and that you bring more of your personality to the table. Maybe you are more engaged in school or work, and you find yourself hitting more milestones. Maybe you need fewer naps and you feel more appreciation for the people and places in your life when you aren’t exhausted from running on empty. Your body does so much more than taking up space and fitting into clothes. I challenge you to sit in this space where you can acknowledge the discomfort, and also see the value of prioritizing taking care of yourself.
If you are feeling stumped and feel like you are stuck in a bad body image rut, you are not alone. I’d encourage you to explore how you can check-in with yourself and find support.
Getting Support
Support can look different for everyone, though here are some suggestions to consider:
Speak to a therapist and/or registered dietitian about your thoughts about your body
Clean out your social media feed of anyone who speaks about dieting or changing their body
Journal about what it has felt like to not take care of your body, and how life felt different when you weren’t showing up compassionately for your body’s needs
Practice noticing the diversity in bodies around you on the street, at work, in TV shows/movies
Prioritize acts of self care, including getting enough sleep
Spend time with friends who make you feel seen, valued, and maybe even a little silly. (Call me tacky all you want, I think laughter is some of the best medicine)
This work is hard, and I promise it is worth it. Your body allows you to do so much, and no matter what shape it takes, it deserves to be cared for.
