Mirror Mirror | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Mirror Mirror

Become friends with the mirror, then it will tell you that you look good.

8
Mirror Mirror
Pexels

"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all," I ask my reflection.

She replies, "Well certainly not you, do you see the dark circles under your eyes? Or those laughing lines? And please explain to me what's going on with your hair. You may need a beauty sleep.

This was a common encounter between myself and my mirror. It sometimes felt as if someone had replaced my mirror with one from a fun-house, only more high tech and realistic. I know I wasn't actually as hideous as my mirror said I was, but society has taught me beauty standards, showing me what "true beauty" looks like, and what I must do to achieve that look.

So, I began to comparing myself to these standards. I would scroll through Instagram and compare myself to the perfect, skinny, beautiful women, traveling the world and loving life. Without even thinking, I started wishing I looked more like them because, obviously, their lives were better. Right? That is how it works, I know this based on the extensive research I've conducted using Instagram. They all seemed happier.

But how often do they look in the mirror and hear the same terrible thoughts running through their minds? How often do they leave the house feeling less than fabulous?

We are all guilty, or at least have been sometime in our lives.

At some point, I hope everyone reaches the point I have reached.

Lately, I have been staring at myself in the mirror, staring at every little detail. But instead of leaning forward and finding every blemish, I see the good, the beauty that people have pointed out but I never saw.

I see my eyes, green and bright, with gold streaks leading from my pupils, bright and rich against the green.

I see my freckles, so many lightly scattered across my face, looking just like blobs covering my nose and cheeks. But I love them.

I see a smile that is crooked and bright, the way my cheeks get round under my eyes, like little balloons, and I see what a happy person looks like.

I see a beautiful person, and I know that person is me.

I stopped wearing makeup about a year ago, mostly because my eyes got really bad during allergy season, and every girl knows rubbing eyes with mascara on is not fun. It was hard at first, I was so used to seeing myself with dark, long eyelashes. All of a sudden my eyes looks naked.

But soon I started getting used to my naked face, I got used to thinking I looked fine like that, maybe a little plain, but still fine.

I don't know what changed in me, whether it was because I had gotten a boyfriend who constantly told me how beautiful I was. Or maybe it was because I moved in with my mom and she constantly told me the same thing. Whatever it was, I started believing it. And although I wasn't one of those amazing, inspiring girls who learns to love themselves on their own, but I still started to believe it. I think that is what truly matters here.

I hope every person, some time in their lives reaches this point. Reaches the "I look good" phase, and stays there. Even if they need help by hearing it from others first, or if they do it on their own, I want every person to get to this point. And the next thing your reflections will say is:

"Dang, Linda, you look fabulous."

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

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1813
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1109
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200321
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20956
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments