The body positive movement is one that is vital to many communities of women. It is one that encourages women to love their whole selves not just the parts of them that society accepts. This movement is also about respecting the diversity that is present in society in regards to the bodies of others. It is an empowering movement for all who embrace it and it should not be taken lightly or tainted by negativity or exclusion. 

 I honestly find it sad that even with this movement being so meaningful to the growth and development of so many women, negativity has found a way to show its face. This negativity has caused many women to feel as though they have no place in this movement simply because their approach is different from other body positive women. However, the truth is, there is no one way to be body positive and it is important that women understand that. 

If you search social media the way that I do, you will understand the frustration that myself and women like me feel in regards to the body positive movement. More and more, all of the representations you see of body positive women are dressed in lingerie or nude, while I am in no way shading or shaming those women, they are not the only representation of the body positive woman. There are those of us who choose to remain clothed and use our voices as an expression of how we love our bodies and how we respect the bodies of others. 

If we are realistic and truthful about this thing; there are women who pose nude in the name of body positivity that are far from it, they are just wearing the mask. The confidence that a body positive woman must embody has nothing to do with what she wears or what she doesn’t wear. That confidence comes from loving yourself and knowing that you are more than enough. It is a woman’s prerogative to exhibit that confidence however she chooses to do so. While some women make the choice to display their confidence and love for their body nude, others (myself included) have decided to show their confidence while clothed. Although there is a huge difference we have to understand that either way a woman chooses to show the world that she loves her body is fine, as long as that is her truth. 

For women who are plus size, disabled and/or different from the norm, being positive about our bodies can prove to be a challenge. It is hard to remain positive when society places so much negativity around who you are by forming stereotypes that are far from the truth and creating beauty standards that exclude us. However, there are many women who push forward and show the world just how much they love their bodies in spite of.

Just in case you have not witnessed these beautiful women who express their body positivity fully clothed, I want to share a few with you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBX70KMkp84/?tagged=bodypositiveandfullyclothed

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BBaJ3Dmw7Xq/?tagged=bodypositiveandfullyclothed

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BBYspDgh28i/?taken-by=itslololove

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https://www.instagram.com/p/9cHpkjSgOQ/?taken-by=outofthecorner

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BBqvy3uPHaL/?taken-by=essiegolden

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCixJ0asPrw/?tagged=effyourbeautystandards

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCePB8-lMRv/?taken-by=bigsiscloset

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCa5F1vGK99/?taken-by=glitterandlazers

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCgiDuUkO51/?tagged=curvygirl

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCRN7TDwRpS/?taken-by=stanzie.star

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCeDHcvIhod/?tagged=fatgirlsbewinning

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCiWGd9SzOE/?tagged=wheelchair

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCYSXebua-Q/?taken-by=whosthatgirldana

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BACxOWfiEIa/?taken-by=readytostare

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BCGKf2tRcze/?taken-by=gorgeousingrey

 OH, AND JUST SO YOU KNOW I PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH…

Daily, I witness the movement excluding the everyday woman because she decides to express her position in a way that is fitting for her. The truth is different women are empowered in different ways and while you may not agree with another woman’s way, it is not your place to isolate, shame or frowned upon her.

What is your take on the body positive movement? Chime in ladies, I really what to hear from you!