Ladies, I’m sure you’ve been there: you’re not feeling great about yourself so you avoid the mirror. Not forever, but just until you’ve started to feel better. Not wanting to see your reflection is actually pretty common among women, and as long as it’s just an ‘every now and again’ kind of thing, it’s not that bad. But, girls, never wanting to look in the mirror is a serious problem, and one that signals not just dissatisfaction with body shape and size, but also the beginnings of dangerous denial. Looking ourselves in the eye isn’t just about evaluating our appearance; it’s about accepting who we are. On that note, I’ve put together a list of 8 reasons why you should stand in front of your reflection every morning.
Like it or not ladies, turn out and appearance do make a difference. In your job or at school you’re expected to present yourself well, and this just isn’t possible without at least glancing in the mirror. Looking at your reflection is an important part of deciding whether an outfit is wearable or not, and, if for no other reason, this is, first and foremost, why you should do it.
In addition to helping you to decide which areas need work, being able to look calmly and directly at yourself in a full length mirror is also about taking ownership of your body, along with all of the problems you see with it. Accepting your reflection entails accepting responsibility for your own well being, and it is this which eventually will allow you move forward and become a healthier, happier person.
If you never look at yourself in the mirror, you can’t have any real understanding of what state your body is in. If you feel yourself getting heavier, but you refuse to check it out by appraising your reflection, you’re basically choosing the ostrich strategy and sticking your head in the sand. In this sense, looking in the mirror is actually the first step towards making positive changes in your life. Don’t refuse to be introduced to your reflection ladies: get in front of that glass today and start work on the new you!
If you’re not familiar with your body because you never look in the mirror, how will know what clothes to wear? An understanding of your shape is crucial to looking good – you can spend a fortune on expensive outfits but if they’re not designed with your structure in mind they’ll never look right.
Looking in a full length mirror at least once a day helps you to know your body, its contours and its quirks. This means that you’ll be able to pick up on any obvious changes in shape, texture and tone and this will allow you to identify certain medical problems quickly.
Looking in the mirror doesn’t necessarily need to be an exercise in criticism and evaluation. If you’ve been working out a lot and really putting effort into improving your body, then a glance at your reflection can actually be a cause for celebration. If you’re not at this stage yet, then a quick glance now should motivate you to keep at it so that some time soon, the mirror will be your friend.
As I’ve mentioned, looking at your reflection shouldn’t be simply about assessing your size, your skin tone and the rest of your physical attributes. It’s also a time for you to look into your own eyes, decide who you are and orientate yourself before the day starts.
What do think, ladies? Are you a mirror-lover? Tell us why; I, for one, would love to hear from you.
Top Photo Credit: tinyfroglet