Transitioning from 'Body Positivity' to 'Body Neutrality': Reasons and Methods Explored
In the realm of body positivity, a new movement has emerged, challenging the status quo and encouraging a shift in perspective. This movement is known as body neutrality.
Body neutrality, which gained popularity online in 2015, originated from the margins of the body positivity movement. Pioneers like Gabi Gregg and Stephanie Yeboah played a significant role in shaping its early stages.
Unlike body positivity, which emphasises loving and accepting one's body, body neutrality aims to decentralise the body as an object and challenges the myth that the way you look drives your worth. Instead, it encourages recognising and prioritising how you feel in your body.
Anuschka Rees explores this concept in her book "Beyond Beautiful". To practice body neutrality, one can drop body talk from conversations, redirect conversations about weight and size, eat the foods they want to eat, listen to their body, acknowledge and reframe body-hating thoughts, and give it time. Mindfulness is an important part of this practice.
Body neutrality promotes acceptance of your body as it is, focusing on your abilities and nonphysical characteristics over your appearance. It doesn't mean making unhealthy choices, but rather listening to your body and letting it guide you.
The movement of body neutrality, however, does not have a clearly defined origin time based on the provided sources. It is a concept that has evolved and grown, resonating particularly with people who find loving their body challenging.
Health at Every Size (HAES) is another movement that complements body neutrality. This movement challenges the idea that thinness is a prerequisite for good health and works to bring other aspects of wellness into the picture, emphasising choices that promote lasting good health over weight loss.
The fat acceptance movement, on the other hand, aims to reclaim the word "fat", challenge fatphobia and fat shaming, and promote acceptance of fat bodies of all sizes.
Lasting change in body neutrality requires inclusivity and amplification of the voices of people of colour, people of size, trans people, and people with disabilities. Resources such as Amee Severson's article "Body Positivity Peaked This Year. Here Are the Ups and Downs" for Greatist, Alinaswe Lusengo's piece "Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality" for Her Campus, Aubrey Gordon's article "Having a Better Body Image Won't End Body-Based Oppression" for Self, and the "Practicing Body Neutrality" guide from Hilton Head Health ONDEMAND can provide further insight.
Crystal Raypole, a writer and editor, has worked for GoodTherapy and has interests in Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. She is committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. Anne Poirier also created a Body Neutrality workshop for those seeking guidance in this practice.
In conclusion, body neutrality is a movement that encourages self-acceptance, mindfulness, and a shift away from the focus on physical appearance. It is a journey towards recognising and valuing one's self beyond the body, and it is a journey that is open to everyone.
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