Feel-good habits that start in the mirror

Collaborative Post | How you feel about yourself projects outwards, affecting both your personal and professional life. The mirror isn’t just for checking your appearance. It’s a powerful tool you can harness towards building confidence, positivity and overall mental wellbeing. As you apply your make-up or do your grooming routine, it’s the ideal time to indulge in positive and self-affirming habits that have the power to transform your life. 

Photo by Luwadlin Bosman on Unsplash

Make-Up and Mindfulness
Start your day by adding mindfulness to your beauty regimen with a sleek brow pencil or your favourite skincare product. As you delicately line your brows or apply your moisturiser, hold the mirror both as a physical thing and a metaphorical reminder of reflection. As you clear away physical impurities or imperfections, visualise doing the same to any negative thoughts or emotions you may be wrestling with. Use this daily ritual as a moment of pause, grounding, and clarity.

Affirmations in the Mirror
When standing in front of the mirror, instead of automatically analysing your perceived flaws, use this time to remind yourself of your virtues. Use affirmations — positive, personal, present-tense statements — to promote self-belief and positivity. Think statements like “I am worthy of greatness” or “I am becoming more confident every day.” Practise making eye contact with your reflection as you say these affirmations, reinforcing their power and believability. 

Express Gratitude Daily
In between your dental care routine and styling your hair, use the moments you spend in front of the mirror to express gratitude. Think about something you are truly grateful for, such as your health, loved ones, or a recent success. Feeling and expressing gratitude has been linked to greater happiness and overall well-being. By associating these feelings of gratitude with your reflection, you construct a positive self-image.

Body Language Transformation 
The way you carry yourself greatly impacts how you feel about yourself. Practise power posing in front of the mirror. Despite how silly you may feel at first, science shows that these poses can increase feelings of supreme confidence and decrease stress. Strike a pose such as standing tall with your hands on your hips, puffing out your chest and raising your chin— a classic power pose. Do this for a few minutes every day and soon it will become second nature, transforming not just your posture, but also your mindset. 

Smile, You're Beautiful
Smiling in front of the mirror is probably one of the simplest, but most effective, feel-good habits that you can adopt. Start your day with a smile at yourself. It might feel odd to begin with, but persist. Studies show that the act of smiling can actually make you feel happier. Plus, it sets a positive tone for the rest of your day. 

Putting It All Together 
These practices are designed to be incorporated into your daily life with ease. Imagine starting every day feeling confident, grateful, and genuinely happy when you see your reflection. These are not quick fixes, but rather habits that grow more effective over time as they come to feel like a natural part of your daily routine. 

Feeling good begins with our perception of ourselves. It starts, quite literally, when we face ourselves in the mirror. Transform your mirror time from a mechanical activity into an intentional practice of self-love and empowerment. And remember, you’re doing this not to conceal or correct, but to celebrate and cherish the person you are.

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​Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.