Stel Coombe Heath Wholesome Lifestyle Project
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt ashamed of your reflection? Or hated your body?
Or have you ever looked in the mirror and felt beautiful, confident and accepted?
We can put so much emphasis on our outward appearance to the extent that it affects our self-esteem. The more we focus on our flaws, the more we develop body dissatisfaction or hate. When we don’t like the body we are in, it can affect us on all areas of life.
You might miss out on beach days with the kids because you struggle with your body image. Many women avoid going to the gym because they feel they will be judged even though they enjoy working out. You might struggle to receive compliments or feel worthy of asking for a raise.
One problem with body hate and insecurity is that it takes up all of our mental energy. When we are consumed by self-loathing, we cannot focus on anything else. Letting go of our hatred for our bodies will free up so much mental capacity. This can allow us to think about what truly matters in life, such as spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies and dreams, or pursuing an education.
One way to work on your self-acceptance is to practice body neutrality, or acceptance of your body’s appearance as it is. Body neutrality allows you to acknowledge your feelings about your body and take actionable steps towards improving it, without focusing on what you don’t like about your body.
What is body neutrality?
Shifting from not liking your body, to loving your body might feel like a stretch. Learning to love your body can be a long and arduous process, and for some, it simply isn’t possible. For many women, accepting one’s body is part of the healing process. We must all be our own biggest cheerleaders and that’s where body neutrality comes in.
Body neutrality is simply taking a neutral stance, not focusing on love or hate but rather on what your body can do for you. Recognising the amazing things your body can do for you instead of focusing on your physical appearance.
In an ideal world, we’d be able to see our bodies as neutral: simply a vehicle for getting from place A to place B.
In reality, many of us experience our bodies as something far less neutral. For many of us, the body often feels like it’s being used as a surface on which feelings are projected.
We feel fat, ugly, disgusting, impure, or shameful based on physical labels (and sometimes based simply on what we’re wearing).
Body neutrality is the idea that we can learn to feel comfortable and confident in our own skin, regardless of our size, shape, or appearance. I think of it as a spectrum of self-love, where we are free from body shame and judgment to living openly and honestly in the world and embracing our bodies for the unique, amazing vessels for life that they are.
It’s taking the concept of body positivity to the next level and making it a practice of everyday living.
Why is body neutrality important?
Body neutrality is important because it can help us to feel good about ourselves regardless of our physical appearance.
When we are striving for body neutrality, our self-worth is not based on how we look. This allows women to feel positive about themselves despite the way their bodies look and helps them feel better about the body they have.
If a person is feeling positive about their body, they will gain a healthier and more positive relationship with food. They will begin to make changes and choose foods that are healthy and nourishing rather than those that are comforting.
Body neutrality is also important because it can help with emotional eating. Many people tend to comfort eat when they do not feel good about themselves. When an individual feels positive about the way they look, they are less likely to binge or grab unhealthy comfort foods.
How can we achieve body neutrality?
There are a few things we can do to achieve body neutrality, including learning to accept ourselves as we are, focusing on our positive qualities, and finding activities that make us feel good.
The first step to accepting yourself is to accept your body. It is a part of who you are, after all. If you don’t accept it, you are rejecting a part of yourself. Body neutrality means accepting your body as it is right now. Making peace with your physical appearance can help you feel better about yourself and about life in general. When you accept yourself, with all of your body and its quirks (yes, there are some), then you do not need to change anything about yourself anymore. You can accept that things are not perfect and you can be okay with that. You will stop trying to change from the inside out.
To get mentally prepared for this body neutrality adventure, here are a few things I’ve learned through personal experience to help you embrace self-love and create a life you want.
- Tell yourself good things daily
- Don’t compare yourself to others—especially digitally
- Stop saying “should be” or “could be”
- Take care of your body (nourish it, move it, and sleep it)
- Stay present in your body
- Practice self-acceptance and body neutrality
- Get rid of negative people
- Find emotional support from people who love you
- Show up for yourself
- Spend time with yourself
- Be grateful every day
Keep in mind that these are my thoughts based on my past experiences, but they’re not rules or to-do lists; they’re opinions meant to help myself and you respond well to negative emotions so we can enjoy the good ones more often.
In conclusion, body neutrality is a valuable tool for achieving self-acceptance and confidence.
If you’re struggling to love your body, learning to be body neutral can be a valuable step on the path to self-acceptance.
