As a person with a body that doesn’t fit into society’s standards for what a “normal” body looks like, I’ve had to learn about both body positivity and inclusivity. While these two terms might sound similar on the surface, they’re actually very different. People who are interested in getting involved with these movements need to understand these differences so that they can be an effective ally or advocate for those who struggle with their physical appearance.

A little less than a year ago, my body image was in a bad place.

A little less than a year ago, my body image was in a bad place. I felt like I was constantly being told that there was something wrong with the way I looked or how much space I took up. It wasn’t just strangers making comments–it was family members and friends too.

I’d been dealing with these feelings for …