Look at your naked body in the mirror, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? While I hope it’s something like ‘Raaaawwwwrrrr!!’ (with the claw hand and wrist flick), I suspect it’s not. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault and I’m by no means immune to the lure of negative self talk. I’m just here trying to help change it.
The media and body negativity
Most of the media surrounds us with a narrow viewpoint of bodies and beauty. There is no shortage of images that lack diversity or those that only pay lip service to recent shifting ideas around body image. Powerful editing tools, like Photoshop and Lightroom can re-enforces this narrow beauty idea with warped and airbrushed depictions of how the body ‘should’ look.
You might work hard to follow body diverse media, but there is still a tsunami of imagery that can push you to negatively see your body. To complicate things further, we are hardwired to seek out negatives or threats (negativity bias), an evolutionary trait that is ingrained in us to avoid life or death situations. In the past being on high alert for a wild animal attack may be useful, now you instead might raise an eyebrow a fashion choice or focus that critical gaze on your own body.
Body positivity, body neutrality and body acceptance
Here are some terms that you might have heard around bodies:
Body positivity
A social movement that focuses on embracing and loving all bodies. Body positivity is a strong, diversity loving, counterpoint to the narrow images that typically bombard us.
I often use the term body positivity within Velvet Thyme. Our photography experience aims to undo the harmful narratives that we have been fed and help you celebrate and document your body in a positive way.
Criticism of the body positive movement says that it still encourages objectification. Suggesting that our value is derived from our appearance, even if it’s through a more positive lens. Through my work I try to avoid objectification in these ways.
Body neutrality
This approach views your body as neither good nor bad, just with respect. With less focus on appearance and more on what your body can do.
Sometimes going from a lot of negative self talk to the opposite spectrum of full body positivity is a difficult fit. This can cause people to feel guilt for not being able to maintain this body positive attitude. Body neutrality helps to keep the negatives in check, while finding an approach that feels more attainable.
Body acceptance
Simply put, body acceptance aims to accept your body no matter what. Working through negative emotions as they arise, with compassion.
I’ve personally come across ideas around acceptance through my experience with chronic health issues. Instead of battling my body because it can’t always do all the things I want it to, I learned to be compassionate and accept it as it is.
Moving forward with your body
Conversations with clients seem to suggest a combination of the three above approaches and I think this is spot on! Firstly, to love your body (at least some of the time, but don’t beat yourself up if it’s not always possible). Secondly, don’t get caught up in equating your appearance with value, rather appreciate what it it can do and focus on body health. Thirdly, try to avoid body negativity and work to accept your body in all its forms.
Documenting your relationship with your body
You may have read the above and thought, hmmm, pretty complex! That is spot on, our relationships with our bodies are typically very complex. Body relationships can be negative, positive, neutral, distorted, and full of or lacking in acceptance.
It’s common to see parts of our bodies as ‘flaws’ and magnify these. This can be part of or lead to body dysmorphic disorder. Even just talking about body issues and approaching your body with respect and positivity is healing. Our photo experiences do just that. They aim to help document and improve your relationship with your body and self, wherever you are at, through art and open conversation.
What are you waiting for? in the timeless words of Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek ‘TAKE A THOUSAND NAKED PICTURES OF YOURSELF!!’
