Mirrors.
Reflective sheets of glass that follow our every move once we’re in their view. They have magical powers that allow us to see ourselves. Without them, how would we know what we look like? How would we see how our face lights up when we smile? We do have cameras, of course, but how else would we see our graceful movement right as it’s happening? When you really break it down, mirrors almost sound more spectacular than all the advanced modern technology available today.
But. Mirrors can turn on you. And they’ll do this when you cannot turn away.
A path of negativity and narcissism is one that you can find yourself on if you do not step away. I know because I’ve been there. I’ve been in the dark hole of incessantly checking my appearance in every mirror that I see. Sometimes happy with what I see, and sometimes devastated. Sometimes many times within the same hour. And the sad part? I usually look no different each successive time that I do. Yet, there is a little voice in my brain that will differentiate between the most minute of details, and pick up and point out things that aren't even there.
And do I gain any satisfaction, any happiness from it all? There is one, clear answer for that: no. Not at all. It’s as if after all this time I still believe that it will. That just one more time will finally make a profound difference in my self-confidence, self-worth and self-image.
Now it’s time to put my foot down and turn away from my reflection and instead turn inward. Because a better reflection of happiness than a physical one is that of my character. That of your character. The way that you walk, talk, smile, laugh. The way that you make others feel about themselves when you are around. The way that you view the world and the beauty within it. A better reflection of who you are is the love that you bestow upon others, which will make you infinitely more happy than a perfect hair day ever will.
Because none of those important things that make life worth living have anything to do with the way your hair, face or body looks. That is not why people love you, and it’s not why you should love yourself.
Try to step away from the mirror. Even if just one time less per day. See if your view changes and take note of the difference. But if you must, try smiling at yourself when you do. There is already too much negativity in this world, and you don’t need more of it from yourself. I have spent far too much time feeding myself this exact negativity that has done nothing more than perpetuate my body image issues. And if you do the same thing, it’s time for a revolution for both you and me.
You don’t need to shatter the mirror. Just shatter the concept of it that you have created in your mind. Learn to live your life in your skin and not trapped in a frame.
