If you had asked me a few years ago whether or not loving your body was essential, I would have said yes. In my yoga classes, I really wanted (and still want) my students to know that there is love and peace to be found in your body and your life, regardless of your size. If you are in a fat body, then you have likely been told time and again that your body is not loveable and neither are you until you make a physical change. I reject this concept so deeply that I feel on some level I was screaming "LOVE YOUR BODY!" as a way of countering that messaging.
When I talk about self love and body love, what I really want is for you not to feel as though your relationship to your body is holding you back. That you are not confined by societal or personal expectations, and that you are moving forward on terms that are all your own. It is your life, after all. You deserve to live it.
Enter, body neutrality. The concept that your body just "is" without you needing to love or hate it. Recognizing that you have a body, you live in that body, you might appreciate what it can do, and you leave it there. You live your life. This can be an especially helpful concept if you're trying to let go of hating your body, but feeling guilty or frustrated because you don't love it right now. It's all a process and it's different for everyone. You do what feels right for you.
You don't have to love your body to find peace in it.
So if you find yourself feeling like you want to let go of the struggle with your body, but body love seems so far away or incredibly uninteresting, that is absolutely fine and you are not alone. If you really want to explore working towards loving your body, body neutrality is a great step in that direction.
In short, if you want to love your body, I'm here for you. And if you simply want to live in your body without hating it, I'm here for you too.
As you move through your week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo