What is Body Neutrality?
Advocated by pop star Billie Eilish, body neutrality is a new movement not to be confused with body positivity.
Last October, Grammy winner Billie Eilish was photographed at a rare moment in public. Instead of the baggy clothes we are used to seeing the 19-year-old singer wear, Eilish was photographed in a body conscious tank top and above-the-knee shorts. That viral paparazzi shot resulted in online body shaming and several discussions about her body and body positivity.
Reflecting on the moment, the singer reposted a video from the influencer Chizi Duru at the time, who said, “Y'all gotta start normalizing real bodies. Not everyone has a wagon behind them. Guts are normal. Boobs sag, especially after breastfeeding. Instagram isn't real."
That said, body neutrality was already on the rise. The concept is very different from body positivity, which encourages women to celebrate their bodies in every way. Rather, as its name suggests, body neutrality means that you do not necessarily have to be positive about your body. It is allowed, but it is not necessary. Think of your body as a temple that offers you much more than being judged on beauty alone.
It therefore is a more nuanced term than body positivity. There is no need to comment on what a woman's body looks like or should look like. In fact, you are more concerned with your own capabilities than with the beauty of your body.
That also applies to the athletes among us, too, to not push themselves too much. Listen to your body to take a rest day or a massage and observe: your body worked hard and that was the most important thing to reach the fitness goal.
