We live in a society where many people have an extremely narrow view of what constitutes the "ideal" body. Then, when their physiques don't match it, they develop poor self-images.
Body positivity is the concept that all shapes deserve respect, love and admiration. It's crucial in today's world because it boosts self-esteem and helps people realize their worth — and more importantly, it reinforces that others don't dictate worthiness.
If you frequently see representations of body positivity, it'll be easier for you to cultivate it. What better place to do that than Instagram? Here are six accounts you should start following today:
1. Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Davis currently has more than 89,000 Instagram followers, and he's on a mission to help men dress well — whether they're at work or choosing an outfit to look fabulous in a casual setting. Besides looking through his Instagram feed, you can read his book or his blog, all featuring the "Notoriously Dapper" title.
Davis says he's been into style since he was a young boy, but decided to branch out into the Notoriously Dapper brand after having a bad shopping experience in Express. He didn't want to feel that way again and set out to change perceptions by proving that size doesn't define style.
2. Gia Natalia Narvaez
Gia Natalia Narvaez is a transgender, Latina woman who brightens the days of her Instagram followers with a feed full of stylish looks and inspirational quotes.
As a teenager, she struggled with feelings of being in the wrong body and couldn't imagine being able to transition in her lifetime. She said she wished she could go back in time and tell her 13-year-old self everything would be all right.
Now, she's confident, thriving and ready to inspire everyone about body positivity.
3. Imogen Fox
Imogen Fox uses Instagram to boldly talk about things that other people may rather ignore or at least not publicize, such as food issues and living life as a disabled person. She discusses recovering from an eating disorder and the things she has to do to manage daily living with various health concerns.
You'll appreciate her straightforward words and fierce efforts to prove that life for some people may be far different from the experience you know.
Her posts about struggles with mental health are particularly refreshing, and they emphasize that people in dark places need not assume they're in them alone. She also acknowledges how hard it can be to ask for help during those times.
4. Laiken Richelle
Laiken Richelle advocates for loving yourself and details the life she lives embracing a plant-based diet. Many Instagram accounts that discuss certain kinds of diets rightfully get a bad rap for sometimes pushing people to follow restrictive ways of eating that may not be appropriate for the needs of their bodies. However, Richelle shows that it's possible to talk about ways of eating without being unhealthy.
In one of her posts, Richelle sits in front of a plate of french fries while happily chowing down on them. Then, she pokes fun at the people who think "vegans just eat lettuce and carrots" and proves them wrong.
5. Chidera Eggerue
Chidera Eggerue strongly advocates for the idea that loving your body and your whole self means knowing you don't define happiness as being in a relationship. Her Instagram feed encourages people everywhere to be strong, independent individuals who aren't afraid to break boundaries.
Eggerue, who has both a blog and a book, also highlights her belief that it's OK not to wear a bra, regardless of the size of your breasts. That's just one of the many ways she works hard to change societal norms and helps people realize that comfort and acceptance matter more than what's familiar.
6. Stevie Blaine
Stevie Blaine, best known as bopo.boy, bills himself as an ambassador of the body confidence revolution in his Instagram bio. After scrolling through his content for a few minutes, it'll be clear that description isn't a mere aspiration.
Many of his posts discuss the need to defy the conventional narrative of a "real man" and point out how some people see flaws while others notice those same things as benefits.
You'll also see plenty of images showing Stevie doing everyday things, like eating pizza or drinking a cup of coffee. Those snapshots make him relatable and endearing.
Start Seeing Your Body More Positively
We all have bad days when we see our bodies as less-than-brilliant things.
By following these Instagram accounts, you'll hopefully realize that although making a transition to love your body won't happen overnight, it's a valuable process to take — and doesn't require fitting into a mold.