Self-Care Through Mirror Work

We often look at the mirror to give ourselves a quick glance to see if we are looking good, good enough to face the world; the connection with the mirror is usually on a surface level, but what if we were to go deeper…

If you were to look deep into your eyes through the mirror, what would you see? We can often be our own worst critics, negative self-talk and self-judgement which come from our conditioning holds us back from self-compassion. 

Mirror work was originally developed by transformational teacher and author Louise Hay as a way of getting in touch with the inner self. Hay said, ‘Mirror work is the most effective method I’ve found for learning to love yourself and see the world as a safe and loving place’.

Mirror work is when you look at yourself, focus on your eyes and embrace the reflection with love and compassion, using positive affirmations. Yeh, I know…sounds uncomfortable and at first it may well be, but with a bit of regularity you will overcome the discomfort and give headway to becoming your own best friend…and that would be the ultimate achievement here. As we all know with our best friends, we offer sincere praise or give them compassionate criticism while showing them kindness and that’s how your relationship blossoms. 

Similarly, mirror work should offer the same comfort and security we give our friends through self-forgiveness, and ultimately self-love. Be your own cheerleader and you may find others doing the same. 

Research has shown the positive affirmations through a mirror enhances the experience with a more soothing positive effect than without the mirror. As we would feel empathy towards others through eye-to-eye connection the mirror allows us to connect with ourselves. Further research shows that looking with the intention to be kind to yourself can reduce anxiety and self-criticism, therefore looking without kind intention can allow the inner critic to run wild.

There’s usually a correlation between healing and Islamic practice and Allah SWT defines this through a dua – the dua for the mirror is an affirmation when we affirm and accept our external beauty and pray for internal beauty through good character. ‘Oh Allah just as You have made my external features beautiful, make my character beautiful as well’ Why does Allah SWT do a dua for good character in a mirror? He knows what we do not, only in recent time has this new research been conducted regarding mirror affirmations but Allah SWT has as always paved the way for healing through His magnificent words and wisdom. How beautiful a faith we have and leads our way in many aspects of healing and a therapeutic life. 

Reflective work through the mirror creates a connection to our true and authentic selves, by overcoming that inner critic through this process we start to strip away at the barriers. Some of the many benefits of mirror work is boosting your self-confidence, overcome insecurities, become more self-assured – no longer look for forever external reassurance! 

Are you ready to face yourself? 

Here’s how to do it, give yourself a few minutes to start with, in a place where you can have some undisturbed time, just reflecting on the mirror, looking into the eyes of your refection and if it’s too uncomfortable to do affirmations to start with, just a smile and hi is a nice start! Building up to some affirmations that resonate with you and over time increase the time spent in front of the mirror. Ideally start with 5 minutes 3 times a week, remember to build healthy relationships time spent is key, then 2nd week do 5 minutes every day, then the 3rd week build up to 10 minutes. 

Use affirmations that work for your needs, if you’re feeling weakness in faith something like ‘I love Allah and Allah loves me’ if you feel you need more self-love say, ‘I deeply and completely accept myself for the sake of Allah’, create a list for yourself and adjust as your needs change. Connect with the heart, it’s easy to do these as rituals but the most effective shifts will happen with a connected heart and be present in mind, feel the words and connect with the reflection as if there’s someone else there. The beauty in this practice is only you really know what your needs are and now is the opportunity to address it…being kind and connected, open, vulnerable, and full of acceptance.

The key to reaping the benefits with mirror work is consistency, add mirror work to your daily self-care routine and over time you can enhance the experience with adding candle to make the experience more intimate or whatever helps you to feel good about yourself and enjoy your new deeper connection you have with yourself. 

So next time you glance at the mirror, or pass by your reflection, do remember the dua, and give yourself a kind word and a cheeky wink.You are amazing!

#becomeyourbetterself

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