RESOURCES

© Eve Menezes Cunningham 2006. All rights reserved.

O, The Oprah Magazine is always full of gems and I recently came across one in the Beauty Pages. Valerie Monroe, O’s Beauty Editor suggested readers take a break from their reflection.

Does the idea of brushing your hair without a mirror horrify you? How about brushing your teeth? Getting dressed? Putting on make up?

Valerie suggests doing this for a few days but if this feels too intense give it a go when you can. How does it make you feel? Is it hard to resist the temptation to peek at your reflection when you’re washing your face or getting out of the shower?

As you do this, check with your thoughts. Have cravings to see your reflection replaced old critical thoughts (“I hate my hair / stomach / that spot” etc.)? If so, does this mean you actually feel better about yourself when you can’t see yourself?

Or do you, like Valerie, miss yourself?

There are no right or wrong answers. Just experiment with it. If you feel liberated by seeing fewer or no reflections of yourself, you may decide to remove some of the mirrors from your home.