How to Feel Good About Your Body on Low Confidence Days

In a world where we’re bombarded with images of the ‘ideal body’ - whether on social media, TV, movie screens or advertising billboards - it can be difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves.

Here at I AM ME, we promote a positive attitude, champion self-acceptance and encourage everyone to celebrate their uniqueness.

In this article, we’ll take a look at body positivity vs body neutrality. We’ll also share some tips on how to feel good about your body on those tougher days when confidence wavers.

What is the Body Positivity Movement?

‘Body positivity’ is a movement based on the belief that all bodies are beautiful and should be celebrated - no matter their size, shape or appearance.

The movement encourages self-love and challenges traditional ‘norms’ about body image. It seeks to challenge unrealistic standards and nurture inclusivity and embrace your body as it is.

Initial challenges to conventional body ideals and the narrow beauty standards of the time began in the 1850s. However, ‘body positivity’, as we know it, didn’t gain traction until the 1990s, when psychotherapists Elizabeth Scott and Connie Sobczak coined the term.

They created a nonprofit organisation - The Body Positive - to promote healthier attitudes toward body image, improved self-esteem, body diversity and positive mental health.

The movement gained further publicity and became fully mainstream in the 2010s, mainly due to social media. Although the movement mainly focused on advocating for larger-bodied people, it has evolved and is now more inclusive of other groups who have been marginalised by conventional beauty standards, including:

• Race
• Disability
• Gender

What is the Difference Between Body Positivity and Body Neutrality?

By contrast, you could say that body neutrality takes a more middle-ground approach. While body positivity encourages celebration, body neutrality focuses on shifting the attention away from our bodies and our complex concerns about self-image. Instead of fixating on how your body looks - and forcing yourself to be positive - it emphasises what your body does for you.

Body neutrality is about recognising your body’s function - to move, breathe and support you in your daily life - without feeling the need to love or adore its appearance in every moment.

Body Positivity vs Body Neutrality - Which is Better?

When it comes to how we feel about our bodies, there’s really no ‘right’ approach and it’s such a complex and individual journey to navigate.

It is normal for your relationship with your body to shift between perspectives. While body positivity can be uplifting, for some, the pressure to constantly love their body at all times can feel overwhelming or even impossible.

Body neutrality offers an alternative approach. It allows you to exist without focusing on appearance, instead appreciating and being grateful to your body for how it enables you to show up in the world. Ultimately, it’s just a case of finding what works for you.

5 Tips: How To Feel Good About Your Body on Low Confidence Days

Whether you resonate with positivity or neutrality - or something else - occasionally a bad body confidence day might sneak up on you. 

Here are our tips for body positivity or neutrality, to help you through the challenge of a low-confidence moment:

1. Wear clothes that make you feel good

As an ethical clothing company, we believe that the right clothes should look good and feel great - no compromises. 

We’ve created a range of clothing that not only looks and feels good - it also does good. With empowering messages, ethical production practices and comfy, eco-friendly fabrics, I AM ME is the ideal way to reflect your unique self.

Our sleek activewear collection can be worn for your workout or for every day. With a superior cut and fit, you’ll look great whether you're in the gym, meeting friends for a coffee or walking the dog. 

Our comfy, stylish T-shirts and hoodies are available in a range of sizes, from XS to XXL.

 

2. Practice gratitude for your body’s abilities

Try to shift your focus onto what your body does for you. From walking and stretching to dancing or hugging your loved ones, acknowledging small acts of strength and function will help you appreciate your body beyond how it looks.

 

3. Avoid comparing yourself to others

In the era of social media, it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. However, it’s important to remember that online images are often carefully posed and heavily edited before being posted. They portray an unrealistic version of beauty. Instead, remind yourself that your worth is not tied to your appearance and think about the good traits you bring to the world around you.

4. Celebrate your uniqueness

Create some positive affirmations about yourself. For example, you might write down or say out loud: “I am unique and that’s my strength” or “My body is worthy, no matter how I feel today.”

By celebrating your strengths and differences, you’ll reinforce the thinking that it’s fine to be exactly as you are.

  

5. Engage in a mindful activity

Mindfulness helps to reconnect with yourself in a positive way. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, journaling, breathing exercises, a quiet hobby like making art, or taking a walk in nature, slowing down will enable you to tune back into your body’s sensations. This will help you feel more grounded and less self-critical.

And remember: it’s OK not to love every part of your body all the time. On bad body confidence days, it is enough to aim for kindness and respect toward yourself. Allow yourself to feel without judgement.

Final Thoughts on Body Positivity vs Body Neutrality

When it comes to body positivity vs body neutrality, it’s important to understand how the two movements offer different yet equally powerful perspectives. Whether you’re empowered by body positivity - or find a sense of comfort in body neutrality - each approach offers valuable insight into developing a healthier and more compassionate relationship with your physical body.

At our core, we believe in celebrating the beauty of our differences. We do so by spreading a positive message, through clothing that embraces all shapes and sizes.

Remember, we are all unique and our worth isn’t defined by our appearance. On those days when body confidence feels low, know that you are not alone - and your body is always enough.

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