Wellness
Learn to love the skin you’re in with body positivity
What Is Body Positivity? Meta Description: What if you could learn to actively love the body you live in? That’s what body positivity is all about. Here’s what we love about this self-love movement.
By Quinn · January 30, 2024 · 6 min read
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To understand just how much beauty standards have changed throughout history, all you have to do is look at the art and media of the time.
The voluptuous marble statues that line the halls of European museums. The black-and-white photos of androgynous flappers in the 1920s. The 80s and 90s centerfolds that made countless women aspire to supermodels’ unattainably slim body shapes.
The rise of social media has given anyone with a cell phone a daily reminder of these constantly evolving beauty standards. It’s harder than ever to ignore the pressure to banish wrinkles, reshape your nose, and lose or gain weight according to the current trends.
But social media isn’t all bad. Platforms like Instagram are hosting a revolution to reshape how people view and treat their bodies: the body positivity movement.
Body positivity uses affirming language and imagery to challenge the idea that there’s a single ideal body type, urging you not just to accept your appearance, but celebrate it. The goal is to create spaces that foster self-love and challenge negative body image — encouraging body confidence for all.
In 1967, a “Fat-In” in Central Park marked the birth of the early body positivity movement. Hundreds of people gathered to protest fat discrimination, burning diet books and posters of ultra-thin celebrities to declare that a fat body is a beautiful body.
This Fat-In sparked a revolution known as the fat acceptance movement, which later gave rise to the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). This organization became a beacon of hope in fighting fatphobia and advocating for the rights and dignity of fat individuals. It treated discrimination against fat people as a civil rights issue, pushing for societal change.
The fat acceptance movement laid the groundwork for the body positivity movement. The narrative evolved from mere acceptance to a bold celebration of diversity, championing body inclusivity and self-love for people of every shape and size — whether they’re a size 00 or a size 24.
In the 21st century, body positivity is intersectional, which means it’s about more than just size. This movement actively promotes body diversity in all its forms, including body hair, physical ability, and self-expression. Within this new culture of acceptance, people can feel valued and represented, regardless of how they align with “traditional” beauty norms.
Many view the body positivity movement as a good thing, but it’s not without its naysayers. Here’s what critics take issue with.
Critics worry that the rush to embrace every unique body might cause people to overlook potential weight-related health issues. The debate centers around finding the right balance between acceptance and health awareness.
While inclusion is a focal point of body positivity, the movement sometimes excludes those who don’t fit within a white, able-bodied demographic. Think of “plus size” models — many are white women no bigger than a size L, which limits the entire point of the movement.
The movement that’s supposed to be about more than looks often ends up prioritizing physical appearances, ignoring the fact that there’s way more to a person than looks.
The body positivity movement’s flaws have made way for a new term: body neutrality. While body positivity actively promotes a positive body image, body neutrality encourages people to detach themselves from their appearance, focusing instead on the human body’s strength, resilience, and functionality. This can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence as people learn to appreciate their bodies for what they are rather than how they look.
Both philosophies offer a valid approach to loving and valuing your body, but they go about it in slightly different ways. Body positivity openly (and often loudly!) defies societal standards, advocating for body diversity and inclusivity in society and the media. Body neutrality is all about placing less pressure on self-love and appreciating your body for what it is.
You don’t have to choose between positivity and neutrality. You can practice both at the same time, showing off your body confidence while internally acknowledging that the real power in your physical form is what your body allows you to experience and achieve. This hybrid approach can be an effective strategy for balancing sustainable self-esteem and mental well-being — but it’s up to you to decide what makes you feel best.
At its heart, body positivity is a powerful tool against mental health struggles related to body image. By challenging unrealistic and narrow beauty standards, this movement helps people of all genders, shapes, and sizes cultivate a healthier relationship with their bodies.
Here are seven empowering ways to boost your mental health and confidence with body positivity:
Strike a balance between love for your appearance and appreciation for your body. Instead of focusing on looks, celebrate the fact that having a body allows you to participate in joyful activities like dancing, running, and even masturbation.
Embrace practices like intuitive eating, regular exercise, and rest. It's about respecting your body’s needs and limitations without thinking about how it looks. Focus on how it feels.
Change the narrative. Instead of obsessing over calories and weight loss, focus on how foods make you feel, their nutritional value, and the joy of eating. Eat a salad because you want to, not because you think it’ll make you “look better.”
Fashion is a form of self-expression. Choose outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable, regardless of the current trends.
Every step toward self-love counts. Whether your small victory is choosing a meal that feels right for you or looking in the mirror without getting upset, it’s worth celebrating.
Replace negative thoughts with body-positive affirmations. Tell yourself, “I am worthy,” “I am capable,” and “I accept myself just as I am” — and repeat the affirmations until you believe them.
Follow social media accounts that uplift and inspire you, and unfollow those that don’t. It’s not worth keeping tabs on people who don’t make you feel good, whether that’s a fitness influencer or a bad friend. Seek out communities that support and echo your journey toward a healthier body image.
Since its earliest days, the body positivity movement has been a catalyst for both personal empowerment and broader societal change. It’s challenging industries to redefine beauty and demanding inclusive, diverse representation in media, fashion, and advertising.
Body positivity also played a role in the rise of ethical porn, which promotes inclusion, diversity, and sexual health within the adult entertainment industry. It’s a movement we’ve embraced wholeheartedly at Quinn — the audio erotica app created by women, for the world.
If you’re interested in body-positive affirmations, diverse voices, or praise kinks, the wide range of erotic content on Quinn is a great place to start. To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.
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