If there’s anything Quinn stands for, it’s self-acceptance — but that’s easier said than done.

For too long, media content has dictated what we view as the “right body,” making it easy to pinpoint and worry about one’s “flaws.” Both body positivity and body neutrality aim to discourage this negative and improvement-based thinking — but they differ in how they approach the journey to self-acceptance.

What’s body positivity?

The body positivity movement has gained significant traction in recent years. Popular proponents like Jameela Jamil and Ashley Graham urge you to love your body whether or not you conform to societal beauty standards, because there is no “ideal” body — everyone, regardless of size, shape, or age, is beautiful. 

For example, body-positive social media advocates often showcase a diverse representation of bodies, stating, “Everyone has a bikini body.” This statement attacks and ridicules socially ubiquitous content pushing people to lose weight to achieve a “bikini body.”

At its core, body positivity is a wellness movement that uses affirming and positive language to challenge biases, fight discrimination, and show acceptance of physical diversity. It encourages individuals to love their bodies as they are and defy societal pressures to conform.

What’s body neutrality? 

While the body-positive outlook challenges stigmas and celebrates diverse body types, the body neutrality movement offers a less value-driven perspective, encouraging people to appreciate what their bodies can do rather than focusing on their appearance.

Body neutrality shifts the focus from judging your body based on societal and personal aesthetic ideals to appreciating it for its capabilities. This mindset encourages you to perceive your body neutrally, avoiding excessive appearance-based praise and criticism. Advocates emphasize a shift from physical appearance to functionality and capability, celebrating the body’s strength and resilience.

A central tenet of body neutrality is acceptance. You welcome yourself as you are — a breathing, healing, moving machine — to create a more balanced relationship with your body.

Body positivity versus body neutrality

While body positivity and neutrality are both ways to love and value your body, they approach the subjects of acceptance, self-esteem, and self-worth from different angles. Here are the unique benefits and potential drawbacks of practicing each movement. 

Body positivity 

Pros

• Promotes acceptance and love of all body types

• Empowers individuals to take pride in their physical appearance

• Advocates for body diversity and inclusivity in media and society

Cons

• Pressure to “love” your body can sometimes be unrealistic or interpreted as toxic positivity

• May accidentally prioritize physical appearance

Body neutrality 

Pros

• Shifts focus from appearance to body functionality and acceptance

• Relieves the pressure to constantly “love” your body

• Fosters a balanced relationship with your body

Cons

• May not address unhealthy body-based biases and discrimination directly

• Challenging to embrace in a society so heavily focused on physical appearances

• Might come across as ableist

3 steps to practice body neutrality 

Leaning into body neutrality may require overhauling and reprogramming inner beliefs about your body. This journey is deeply personal, so remember to take these steps at your own pace and practice self-compassion along the way.

1. Tackle negativity

The first step toward body neutrality is letting go of negative thoughts and feelings about your body. While body neutrality isn’t about loving every aspect at all times, you do need to shift away from strong negative feelings into neutral acceptance. You might meditate or journal to illuminate negative perceptions of your body, using logical reasoning to reduce their power over you. If a common negative thought is “I don’t have a bikini body,” you might ask yourself, “Do I truly think this, or have I been socialized to think this way?” Or perhaps you’ll say to yourself, “But I fit in the swimsuit I love, so I do have one.” 

2. Appreciate your body daily 

Try implementing a daily body appreciation practice in the morning or evening, scanning your body and noticing how powerful each part is. Or you could write out five things your body can do. This practice shifts your focus from “appearance” to “function” and encourages gratitude, not looks-focused compliments. 

You could also practice body neutrality affirmations, which act to replace harmful thoughts with healthier ones. Choose affirmations that focus on your body’s capabilities, like “My strong legs carry me through my day,” “My heart pumps the blood that my body needs,” and “My weight does not define me.” These affirmations counteract negative self-talk and shame, offering you a healthier and more rational view of your body.

3. Consider what you can do

Because body neutrality emphasizes the body’s abilities over its appearance, ableism is a potential consequence. You might feel discouraged when fostering body neutrality if there are physical things you can’t do, like running or yoga. But this movement stresses making a conscious effort to celebrate all your body’s functions, from healing wounds to hugging loved ones and dancing with friends. Focus on what you can do, and you might surprise yourself with how wonderfully powerful your body is. 

Embrace your body with Quinn 

The body neutrality conversation centers on function, and that includes sex. Quinn is here to help you along your self-love journey, and we believe that healthy masturbation and partnered sex are part of the ride. Our ethical erotic audio content caters to various tastes, from vanilla to kink to fetish-focused.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.