The mirror exercise is a daily inner journey where you stand in front of a mirror and confront your beliefs about yourself and your self-talk in order to purge negative thoughts, and increase your self-love and confidence.
I learned this useful technique with famous coach Lisa Nichols in the Mindvalley quest Speak & Inspire, and wanted to share it with you.
Mirror work is uncomfortable, intimidating and even embarrassing but it’s also powerful and profoundly healing. It’ll make you aware of the words you say to yourself and the things you do. You’ll face some of your negative thoughts and beliefs, pain and regrets and learn to forgive yourself and others, be at peace, and value and take care of yourself on a deeper level.
Take the 30 day mirror exercise challenge
I recommend you practice this exercise every day for at least 30 days. Simply choose a quiet place where you can’t be disturbed and of course with a mirror. Dedicate at least 5 minutes for this exercise. Staring at yourself in the mirror:
- Say your name, I’m proud that you (and state 7 things you’re proud of)
- Say your name, I forgive you for (and state 7 things you forgive yourself for)
- Say your name, I commit you to that (and state 7 commitments)
Embrace your emotions
Embrace any emotions that may come up while doing the mirror exercise. You may feel the need to cry- this is normal, just let yourself go with the flow and release old beliefs and ways of being. You can also hug yourself and use comforting words such as: ‘I’m here for you’, ‘I love you’, ‘I understand’.
Record your experience
I recommend that during this 30 day mirror exercise challenge, you keep a record of your experience. You can either write a few sentences in a journal or a voice recording. You don’t need long paragraphs, just a summary of your feelings, emotions or breakthroughs while doing the exercise and the impact it’s having on you and your life.
After the challenge, you can create your own affirmations based on how you feel when you look in the mirror. Or select from the list below the affirmations that speak to you:
- I am love
- I am light
- I am worthy
- I am healthy
- I am enough
- I am strong
- I am beautiful
- I am learning to love you
- It’s ok for me to feel scared
- It’s ok for me not to be ok
- I believe in myself
- It’s ok for me to feel awkward
- I forgive myself
- I am proud of myself
This 30 day challenge will plant the seeds for new habits that will transform you and bring more joy and happiness into your life. Let the mirror become your friend and use it regularly to praise, approve and support yourself in challenging times.
As Louise Hay wrote in her book Mirror Work:
“The mirror reflects back to you the feelings you have about yourself. It makes you immediately aware of where you are resisting and where you are open and flowing. It clearly shows you what thoughts you will need to change if you want to have a joyous, fulfilling life.”
