“I’m struggling with the concept of body positivity. Is there something else I can try?”

Over the last few years there’s been a lot of talk about body positivity, the idea that every body is a good body and that you should love yourself regardless of shape or appearance. For a lot of people, this has been amazing, and they are better able to speak to themselves with kindness and love. However, for some, body positivity hasn’t worked, feels overwhelming, or just hasn’t felt right.

A newer concept is body neutrality. Instead of preaching about loving or accepting your body, this movement encourages you to just live in your body without focusing on how it looks. In body neutrality you don’t have to love or even like your body, but you can still care for and nourish it.

To begin with I wanted to introduce three ways we can shift into a more body neutral lens. I encourage you to have a try over the next couple of days and see if you notice any shift (even something small is good!)

Affirmations/mantras

These might be your go to reminders for when you’re feeling down about your body. You may choose to write them down and stick them somewhere, have a widget on your phone with them or just repeat them to yourself. These might sound like:

My body will change and that’s okay

My body is the least interesting thing about me

I deserve kindness no matter what my body looks like

I don’t need to feel attractive to be happy and live a life I enjoy

Focus on what your body can do

We live in a world that puts so much emphasis on our appearance, and how others may view our bodies that we forget the amazing and powerful things our bodies are capable of. Below are some suggestions you may find as a starting point:

I am grateful for my legs as they allow me to dance

I’m appreciative of my hands for they allow me to hold the ones I love

My body allows me to move in ways that are joyful for me

Thank you to my stomach, which allows me to share meals with people I love

I’m grateful for my eyes so I can see the sunset

My body allows me to explore the world

Listen to your body

This one can take a bit of work if you’ve spent a long time ignoring your body’s needs, so be patient with yourself. But to begin with:

Stretch when you feel sore or stiff

Wear clothes that feel comfortable on your body

Drink your coffee how you like it

Choose foods that nourish you and that you enjoy

Give some of these tips a try and see how you find them.

You might find body neutrality is your first step to eventual body positivity. Or maybe neutrality is where you sit more comfortably. There’s no ‘right’ way to feel about our bodies and it’s something that may change over your life, as your body also changes.

Written by: Sophie Dowling

Clinical Psychologist Registrar