Achieving Body Neutrality In The Age of Online Diet Promotion

Image kindly contributed by Rosie Butcher. You can visit her photography website here or find her on Instagram at @RosieAnnButcher and @RosieButcherPhoto.

From ‘Love Island’ sculpted bodies to diet pill promotions, and the inevitable comparison that comes with having a presence on social media, it’s easy to see how the relationships we have with our bodies has become more and more skewed, as the influence of the Internet becomes more notable. But whilst gym culture, kale for breakfast and Barry’s Bootcamp have made their presence oh-so-known, in recent years brands are seemingly embracing the body positivity movement, showcasing bodies of all shapes and sizes on our screens, shining light on stretch marks, self-harm and cellulite every time we open up Instagram. But what do you do if self-love and body positivity is one step too far for you? What happens when you’ve spent so long hating your body that loving it feels a million miles from what you ever envisaged? Introducing, body neutrality.

The body respect or body neutrality movements are here to help you develop a neutral, respectful and appreciative stance towards your body, praising what it allows you to do and achieve rather than focusing specifically on your appearance. These movements are not only useful for those who have suffered with distorted body image as a result of a mental illness, such as an eating disorder, but also for those who deal with chronic pain or progressive illnesses which make it difficult for those individuals to feel positive or praise the body that they’re in.The demand to love our bodies can feel exhausting, especially when diet culture has for so long torn us down or heightened our insecurities. Bodily respect comes at a time in which so many of us need a more realistic and all-encompassing movement to explain the complex relationship that is body image and acceptance.

Whilst the premise of body positivity is one that sounds so inviting, the commercialisation of the term and its newfound ‘buzz word’ status mean the intentions of brands championing its benefits are fuelled more by financial gain than a real effort to aid women in acknowledging their worth and beauty. As a relatively new and unexplored perspective on the way we view ourselves, body neutrality and the content surrounding its benefits online can feel far easier to align yourself with, allowing you to explore its true values and purpose with minimal interruption from brands seeking to profit from its benefits. 

So, how do you become body neutral? It can feel impossible in a world so focused on appearances to move away from this stance, but changing your mindset, reactions and inner voice to one that’s kinder and less occupied with aesthetics is the first step. Whilst a body positive ambassador may claim to accept and celebrate your appearance regardless of societally established ‘flaws’, body neutrality allows you to detach yourself from aesthetics as a whole, and instead appreciate that your appearance is not what should dictate or form a key aspect of your self worth. Body neutrality feels inclusive because its message is so rooted in the equality of every individual body, whilst also allowing those who may otherwise struggle to comment positively about themselves to move to a mindset that place less emphasis on the need or desire to look a certain way. So whilst body positivity should be championed against self loathing, the very nature of the movement is one still so rooted in how we look. If we’re really seeking to redefine the relationship we have with self-image, the most effective way to do so is removing the ‘image’ aspect in its entirety.

There are a whole host of online safe spaces to practice body neutrality, and surround yourself with positive influences that highlight the enormous impact diet culture has on our perception of beauty. Keeping up to date with accounts that promote this message is one of the more simple ways to surround yourself with more healthy daily mantras! We love @antidietriotclub, @beauty_redefined, @heytiffanyroe, @we.worthy.women and @theeverybodyisbeautifulproject.