Loving ourselves should be a natural act, but in a society that thrives on pointing out our flaws and selling “solutions,” true body positivity can be hard to come by.
In search of real, deep-rooted self-acceptance, it can be helpful to turn to the wise words of others. We’ve compiled over 25 inspiring quotes about body positivity to help guide you on your path to self-love and acceptance.
These powerful affirmations remind us that our worth is not determined by our appearance, and that every body is beautiful and deserving of love. So take a moment to reflect on these uplifting messages, and let them empower you to embrace your unique beauty today and every day.
Celebrity Quotes on Body Positivity
It’s sometimes shocking to realize that even famous people with conventionally attractive bodies feel insecure. If the people we think are drop-dead gorgeous struggle with body image, then we know we aren’t alone in feeling this way.
Here are some quotes about body positivity from some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood and pop culture.
“I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realization that everybody does that—even the people that I consider flawless—then you can start to live with the way you are.” – Taylor Swift, Musician
“My weight? It is what it is. You could get hit by a bus tomorrow. It’s about being content. And sometimes other priorities win.” – Melissa McCarthy, Actress
“Don’t waste so much time thinking about how much you weigh. There is no more mind-numbing, boring, idiotic, self-destructive diversion from the fun of living.” – Meryl Streep, Actress
“You can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion, for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty inflames the heart and enchants the soul.” – Lupita Nyong’o, Actress
“Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be OK with that. To be different. But different is good.” – Serena Williams, Tennis Champion
“Take your time and your talent and figure out what you have to contribute to this world, and get over what the hell your butt looks like in those jeans!” – America Ferrera, Actress
“Your words have so much power. Every day, if you tell yourself, ‘I love you,’ if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.” – Ashley Graham, Model
“If you focus on the inside, you’ll feel just as great about the outside. I feel attractive when I’m doing good and helping people.” – Keke Palmer, Actress
“As a child, I never heard one woman say to me, ‘I love my body.’ Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend. No one woman has ever said, ‘I am so proud of my body.’ So, I make sure to say it to my daughter, because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.” – Kate Winslet, Actress
“No, I’m not a snack at all, baby. I’m the whole damn meal.” – Lizzo, Musician
Poetic Body Positivity Quotes
Some people truly have a wonderful way with words. What if we applied poetic language to our appreciation of our own bodies?
Here are some quotes about body positivity that belong in a poem.
“And I said to my body softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’ It took a long breath and replied, ‘I have been waiting my whole life for this.’” – Nayyirah Waheed
“To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don’t wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now.” – Alan Cohen
“Your body is the piece of the universe you’ve been given, the place where love and joy and grief happen, where happiness unfolds. Do you really want to keep believing that it’s a horrible, ugly, lumpy thing?” – Geneen Roth
“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.” – Salma Hayek
“You are worth more than a waistline. You are worth more than beer bottles displayed like drunken artifacts. You are worth more than any naked body could proclaim in the shadows. More than a man’s whim or your father’s mistake. You are no less valuable as a size 16 than a size 4. You are no less valuable as a 32a than a 36c.” – Mary Lambert
“Spider veins and stretch marks streaking across your skin, your body is a galaxy.” – Nadine Tomlinson
“Your body. Your diet. Your life. It isn’t perfect. It never will be. But it’s real. It’s honest. It’s beautifully flawed. And totally magical.” – Nicola Jane Hobbs
“This is it: This body is home. This is where I live and hang my hat. This is where I settle into my hips and sit easy in myself, slung together with strong muscles and bones, made gentle and forging with flesh. This body is durable, has lasted for years, hunkered down through fierce storms, and allows for the peaceful erosions of age. It is like a cottage on the shore: weathered and well-made, a place where a person could comfortably live. I like it here. It is my own.” – Marya Hornbacher
Practical Quotes About Body Positivity
We waste so much time criticizing every aspect of our bodies. What if you just stopped all that doubt and chose to love your body instead? When you fill your heart with self-love, you live more freely and with confidence.
Here are some quotes about how it just makes sense to live a life with body positivity.
“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay
“Worthiness does not have prerequisites.” – Brené Brown
“Step away from the mean girls and say bye-bye to feeling bad about your looks. Are you ready to stop colluding with a culture that makes so many of us feel physically inadequate? Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others.” – Oprah Winfrey
“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” – Sophia Bush
“Your self-esteem won’t come from body parts. You need to step away from the mirror every once in a while and look for another reflection, like the one in the eyes of the people who love you and admire you.” – Stacy London
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
“Just because we have acne, tummy rolls, and chaffing thighs doesn’t mean we need to be fixed. Period.” — Mik Zazon
“Everybody has a part of her body that she doesn’t like, but I’ve stopped complaining about mine because I don’t want to critique nature’s handiwork. My job is simply to allow the light to shine out of the masterpiece.” – Alfre Woodard
“Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.” – Eve Ensler
Anonymous Quotes That We Love
“Love your body, it’s the only one you’ve got.” – Anonymous
“Your body is a work of art, it deserves to be loved and respected.” – Anonymous
“You don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” – Anonymous
You don’t need to change a thing, you are beautiful just as you are.” – Anonymous
“The biggest challenge in life is learning to love yourself.” – Anonymous
“Your body deserves respect, no matter its shape or size.” – Anonymous
“You are so much more than your body.” – Anonymous
Pursuing Your Own Body Positivity
Learning to accept and love your body can take a lifetime. Your body positivity is yours and yours alone, but surrounding yourself with positive, supporting women can make a huge difference in your confidence. Choose to spend time with people who lift you up. It will change your mindset and take you closer to full body positivity.
Author, Artist, Photographer.
Sarah Margaret is an artist who expresses her love for feminism, equality, and justice through a variety of mediums: photography, filmmaking, poetry, illustration, song, acting, and of course, writing.
She owns Still Poetry Photography, a company that showcases her passion for capturing poetic moments in time. Instead of poetry in motion, she captures visual poetry in fractions of a second, making cherished keepsakes of unforgettable moments.
She is the artist behind the Still Poetry Etsy shop, which houses her illustrations and bespoke, handmade items. She is the author of intricacies are just cracks in the wall, a narrative poetry anthology that follows a young woman discovering herself as she emerges from an abusive relationship.