Mirror, Mirror...

Mirror, mirror...

"Ugh, I look terrible this morning."

Have you ever said that to yourself? I know I have—and I’ve heard both women and men say it, often without even realizing it.

But how do you feel in that moment?

Is it love? Compassion?

Or is it frustration, shame, fear of being judged?

My body is sensitive. If I eat something it doesn’t like, or I’m in an environment with allergens, I wake up with swollen eyes, like I’ve cried all night. And what’s my first reaction?

Not kindness. Not patience.

It’s usually: “Damn allergies. Why is my body so sensitive? What did I eat? Why can’t I figure this out?”

It takes a cold splash of water, some makeup, and a few quiet minutes before I can look in the mirror again and think:

“I really want to take care of you. I want to understand this.”

That second glance comes from compassion. But my default is still self-judgment, especially when I don’t look or feel the way I want to.

🧠 As I tell my clients, this is the survival brain at work.

It judges everything—ourselves, others, the circumstances.

This “animal brain” helped us survive, but it’s not wired for wisdom. It can’t access the higher parts of us—the deeply human, deeply conscious, deeply compassionate parts.

But when that survival brain runs the show, it costs us:

• Our well-being (hello stress, fatigue, anxiety)
• Our relationships ("What will they think of me?")
• Even our performance and confidence

So here's a mini M.E. (Mental Emotional) Fitness exercise for you:            

🔹 Next time you look in the mirror, pause.

🔹 Notice what you’re thinking—and how you're feeling.

🔹 Then, look into your own eyes and name 1 to 3 things you appreciate about the person you see.

For some, this may bring tears.

For others, it might be a small but powerful shift.

Wherever you are in your journey, I invite you to reconnect with yourself—even just for a few seconds—and see what kindness can do.

💬 Reflection prompts for you: 

• Have you ever caught your inner critic in the mirror?
• What’s one kind thing you could say to yourself today?

I’d love to hear what comes up for you.