Practice body neutrality and body positivity
The body-positive movement originated in the 1960s with the fat rights movement. During this time, activists around the country protested size-based discrimination. The activists, motivated by the civil rights movement, fought for equal rights. Over the past year, the body-positive movement has gained traction on apps like TikTok and Instagram. The movement’s mainstream message emphasizes size inclusivity and self-love.
Similarly, the lesser-known body neutrality movement emphasizes removing emotional ties to your appearance. While self-love may be difficult to practice all the time, body neutrality removes that pressure. The movement ignores society's unattainable standards, focusing on what matters: what your body can do for you, not how it looks.
To practice body neutrality, emphasize feeling good, rather than your outward appearance. Achieving this requires you to acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, and push yourself to challenge your inner conflicts with beauty, strength, and power.
Even with their differences, the body-positive and body-neutral movements each have beneficial applications to our own lives. Both movements paired together form a strong foundation for self-appreciation. This allows you to love your body’s exterior some days, but express neutrality towards it on others.
In your everyday life, consider steering clear of body talk, nourish your body adequately, and practice patience with yourself. When you prioritize these practices, you reduce unnecessary stress, overthinking, and anxiety.
While the body-positive movement remains in the spotlight, we need to remain aware of the body neutrality movement and acknowledge each movement’s end goal: self-appreciation.
