Looking in the Mirror

I've thought a lot about beauty and self perception over the last 7 years that I’ve been running my business. 

Recently I saw a video talking about how, for so many generations, people didn't have constant access to seeing their reflection. We didn't have mirrors in every room, we weren't having photos take of ourselves regularly. 

Have you noticed, the more you look at something, the more warped it becomes?

Think about when you stare at a word or write it over and over again you start to question the spelling of it, it just looks wrong. So it’s not much of a stretch to realise that can be true when we look or our own self image over and over again.

How we see ourselves is so warped compared to how others see us, and that perception changes again once you get to know someone and their energy. 

How often do you think about the random person you saw in passing at the shops the other day? You might have had a thought (good or bad) about their outfit or their hair style or their smell, but have you thought of them after they have gone? 

What about when you have sat next to someone on the plane for hours on end and you never saw them again, can you even recall what they look like? 

Image is such a fleeting and ever-changing part of our identities.

When someone dies, do you reminisce about how she was a size 10 with perfect hair? 

No. You remember how she made you feel. You remember how you laughed together or argued about things, or how great her hugs were. Or how she knew your secrets and never judged you for them. 

The essence of who people are is what you remember or how you describe them to others. Your essences is what has a lasting impression on others. 

How we feel about ourselves has a huge impact on the effect out essence has on others. 

Wearing clothing or makeup that enhances your self confidence is very empowering. There is no doubt that changing how you feel about yourself has a huge ripple effect on those around you. I believe that our task in life is to take care of ourselves, filling our emotional self love bucket by doing actions that fulfil us, eg: dancing, singing, gardening, drawing, cooking, walking, meditating etc... When we fill up our bucket ourselves, then our light (essence) shines brighter and we give permission to others to do the same. 

So maybe don't spend as much time looking at yourself in the mirror this week. You could even do an experiment. Use a small, hand held mirror to apply your makeup, and then limit your exposure to your reflection. 

Cover your mirrors with some butcher paper or cloth and see how your perception of yourself changes after a week of not being bombarded with your image and self judgement. 

If you try this experiment, I’d love to see how you feel about yourself after a week.

The perception of what we look like in our mind is more important than what we actually look like.  Our essence always overrides our interactions with people and it's what stays long past the memory of looks have faded. Our looks are the ever evolving reflection of our life journey, it's quite a beautiful thing to consider. Like the rings on a tree it shows the highs and lows of its experience, so too does the image we present to the world.

So make sure you wear the clothes/outfit that you love, the lipstick colour that's your favourite, take the time to apply some mascara, anything that just tops up the self connection and loving mental image you have of yourself.    

Giant Hugs

❤️

Catherine