(Broken) Mirror on the Wall | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

(Broken) Mirror on the Wall

Stop letting social media influence the way you judge your reflection.

25
(Broken) Mirror on the Wall
Flickr

"Mirror, mirror on the wall..."

A phrase many of us have heard since childhood. For those of you not quite up to speed on your fairytales - or maybe it's been a while since you heard/saw this one - it's the beginning of the question the evil queen in Snow White asks the mirror. Every day she asks the mirror who the fairest in the land is, confident that the answer will always be her. If you are at all familiar with the story, you know she does not take kindly to an answer other than herself as the fairest in the land. Her appearance is so important to her that it ultimately becomes her downfall.

Unlike the evil queen, we don't look in a mirror to be told that we are more beautiful than those around us. We do, however, tend to look in the mirror to judge our own appearance. If the reflection staring back at us is not what we want to see, we're upset. Desperate to consider ourselves and our reflection "beautiful", we can become fixated on it, wanting to do whatever it takes so see the image we want.

But what if we're looking into a broken mirror? I don't mean a literally broken mirror with a crack or chip. I mean a mirror imbued with societal standards of beauty. Through films, pictures, various degrees of body-shaming, and other forms of social media, we have been conditioned to equate beauty with perfection. In this case, the definition of perfection involves being fairly thin and free of so-called blemishes such as stretch marks or acne. Well media, here's a news flash for you: people aren't perfect. Not in the way you define it.

People don't have to be size 2 or smaller (but some people are). People don't have to have a flat stomach (but some people do). People can have scars (but you don't have to). People can be exactly as they are and not have tot change. We all possess beauty, we just don't all possess the mindset to see it. When we look in a broken mirror, we see everything society has deemed wrong. When we look into an unbroken mirror, we allow ourselves to see our true reflection. Looking past beauty standards we can see everything that is perfect about us. Because we all are perfect in our own way. Each of us were created with so much beauty - all that's left is for us to see it.

Without a doubt, it's easier to see the beauty in others than it is in ourselves. We are almost always our own harshest critics. It's okay to be a little critical and want to change your appearance. As long as the criticism and desire to look different stem from you - from how you want to look and feel in your own skin - and not from some comment someone made to you about losing weight or cutting your hair.

Though it's easier said than done, it's time to stop focusing so much on what we look like when we see our reflection. Just be yourself - style your hair the way you want to, wear clothes you like, and smile. Your beauty will shine through for everyone to see, regardless of whether you meet society's beauty standards. Stop looking at broken mirrors and find an intact one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
April Ludgate
NBC Universal

Everyone who is in college right now, or has ever been, knows the struggle of pulling in the strings at the last second. It seems impossible, and you have to do a LOT of things in order to assure your future for the next semester.

April Ludgate, historically, is a very annoyed person, and she doesn't hide it. Of all the times that I binged and re-binged "Parks and Rec," her attitude relates more and more to me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

304
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

364
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

272
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
Facebook

April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation is notorious for her "I don't care" attitude. She speaks her mind without caring what anyone thinks of her. Fans love her because she isn't afraid to be herself. April can seem cold and negative, but she's really just fearless and strong-minded. And despite her sometimes harsh words, April truly cares about the people she's closest to. These are all reasons she is the epitome of a college student. April complains whenever she has to do any kind of work, but ends up doing the work anyway. April Ludgate is the ultimate college student spirit animal.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments