Body neutrality

This #thankyouthursday, I am grateful for body neutrality.

I actually just learned about the concept of body neutrality a few minutes ago; I was about to write to you about how grateful I am for simple stretches, like the three minutes of cat/cow I was guided to explore at the end of my morning exercise video.

But my computer had to restart so I was checking my email from my phone, and the daily MommaStrong email (which I read only after I’ve done my daily exercise—how’s that for habit stacking?) talked about body neutrality and linked to a useful article.

And in the time it took for me to restart my computer and read the linked article, relief flooded my body and I knew I was going to change today’s topic.

Because, wow. Body neutrality is a thing, and I did not know. And now I do, and I am so grateful.

I am a passionate proponent of acceptance in pretty much all areas. (Even when something is unacceptable, you first have to accept that it’s unacceptable.)

But when it comes to body image, I tend to think acceptance is insufficient. On the one hand, I feel guilty for stopping at mere acceptance—like accepting my body is not enough; I’m also supposed to love and cherish it. Which, I mean, I’d like to. But, eight months postpartum, there is still a lot I’m getting used to.

And then on the other hand, I feel like encouraging acceptance is a slippery slope—like, if I say, “okay, this is acceptable,” does that mean I will never change? Because I would, in fact, like to lose some weight. Just, also, probably not soon, for a long list of valid reasons I do not have to explain or defend (yet notice how I’m tempted to?).

So. But. What if acceptance is not a path to either improvement or dismissal? What if it can simply guide me to somewhere…neutral?!?

Ah, neutrality. I feel another flood of relief just hearing the word.

And, to quote the aforementioned article (which I recommend reading in full):

“Body neutrality is about accepting your body as it is in terms of size, shape, and ability, and moving on with your day.”

Doesn’t that just sound GREAT?

It sure does to me. So, acceptance FTW (yet again). And now I’m moving on with my day, feeling grateful for body neutrality.

Love > fear,
Christina