Body image, Body positivity, BoPo, body neutrality, body acceptance, body love.

There has been an ever-evolving list of language, terms and ideas that go hand in hand with the evolution of language around how we relate to our bodies. Sometimes these terms get used interchangeably, which can be confusing as there are nuances to each.

Whenever I tell others that I work with people on their body image, all the terminology gets intermingled and muddled together. Languaging is important, so let's start with learning the basics.

What is body image?

Body image is subjective and comes from a person's thoughts, feelings and perceptions, creating a mental picture of their own body. Simply put, your body image is how you see yourself in your mind. This image comes from a mixture of what you have been told, what you have heard, and what you see in the media and community throughout your life.

What is body positivity?

Body positivity is a social movement. The focus is on accepting all bodies, no matter the size, shape, skin tone, ability or gender, and at the same time, challenging the existing beauty standards. The overarching theme of body positivity is empowerment, embracing oneself at the moment.

A brief history lesson on where body positivity.

Body positivity has its roots in the Fat Rights Movement in the late 1960s, which began to shine a light on the unfair treatment of fat folks. A part of the rich history that challenged the societal notion of fat bodies, diet culture, personal empowerment, and self-love.

With the emergence of social media in the 2000s, there was a polarizing shift between body love and body shaming. Social media provided a platform to share an alternate message - body positivity - challenging the societal constructs of the “ideal” body type.

Body positivity tells us that we are ok, just the way we are. We don’t need to change our appearance to be worthy or to take up space. With the ultimate message, we are ok just as we are. According to the Cambridge Dictionary,  “embracing body positivity is a radical act of self-care” and is considered a starting point for some people on their journey towards self-acceptance.

The oscillation between acceptance and shame within society can leave us conflicted between what we feel and what we think we “should” feel. So, how do we find a softening where we can learn to accept ourselves as we are? That the shape of our body does not determine our worth. It takes time to dismantle the myth that people and bodies need to be controlled and conform to a specific standard. Finding ways to celebrate the uniqueness and strength of who you are can help to build a stronger body image through self-compassion and time.

Here are three things to consider to shift the narrative on body image.

1. When referring to the body, shift the focus toward function and less on form:
   • My legs help carry me through the day.
   • My arms help me embrace my loved ones.
2. Consider including what you do well outside of physical appearance:
   • I am a supportive and caring friend.
   • I am a fair and approachable manager.
3. Focus on caring for your body in ways that feel good for you:
   • I am going to go to bed a little earlier today because my body needs more sleep to recharge;
   • I am finding a balance between spending time with friends and myself.

While body image and body positivity are not interchangeable, they can help influence each other. It takes time and patience to shift the way we talk about our bodies. However, it is little shifts that can lead to lasting change.

Until next time,

- Bethany