Body positivity VS. body neutrality

There is a LOT that I love about the body positivity movement and the idea of embracing our perceived “flaws”. We’ve all grown up feeling immense pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, and this flipping of the script is powerful in many ways - a brave metaphorical middle finger to the paradigms of beauty.

However.

I do think it can actually be slightly harmful, because for most people, it is unattainable. Constant positivity is not realistic. We are NOT going to wake up and be in love with every inch of our bodies, every day, and the pressure to do so can feel overwhelming. Being bombarded by photos of glitter-adorned stretch marks and lingerie shots celebrating belly rolls might make you feel like a failure for not loving your OWN cellulite and belly rolls. 

Another problem for me is that body positivity is still ultimately focusing on what your body looks like. When really, that is just the least interesting thing about you. Instead of trying to force yourself to love every single bit of your body - just accept them and move on. Isn’t that so much more powerful? 

You can then spend that energy focusing on all the amazing things your body can DO for you. 

Just because you’re not ready to flaunt every inch of your body on instagram, it doesn’t make you a failure. But if you can eliminate the negative self-talk and embrace your body for what it can DO rather than what it LOOKS like - I think that’s an even bigger achievement than posting close up shots of your “flaws” and claiming to never ever care about them.