The Power of Body Neutrality

This article was first published in the Midland Express on 5 September 2024.

Women have been taught since they're born that the most important thing about them is how they look. We tell little girls how pretty they are rather than how smart or strong they are. There are billion dollar industries that create and feed our insecurities to sell us their products. 

Thankfully things are changing. The Body Love movement empowers women to love their bodies as they are now. It shines a light on the systems that lead to women hating their bodies and that it’s possible to love it.

However for many women going from loathing to loving their bodies can be a massive leap. It seems as impossible as trying to jump the Grand Canyon. But what if you aimed for the midpoint of Body Neutrality instead? It’s a landing pad to aim for in the middle of the canyon that looks far more achievable.

Body Neutrality is when you can look at yourself and there is no hate, no love, just ‘this is my body’. You view your body as an instrument that allows you to live this life, rather than an artwork to be admired. 

My top two tips to start you on your path are: 

1. Try to catch yourself when you have a negative thought about your body and change it into a gratitude, eg ‘I'm grateful for my arms because I can hug my doggo’ or ‘I'm grateful for my bum because it’s comfy to sit on’.
   
2. Find an activity that helps you out of your head and feeling into your body. There are so many different ones out there – Qoya, Yoga, bushwalking. It doesn't matter what your chosen activity is, it's about feeling into your body and realising how wonderful she is. 
   
   

Once you achieve Body Neutrality, keep going on towards Body Love. You're already halfway there!