Some mornings, we wake up and go straight to the mirror - checking our face, fixing our hair, hunting for flaws. It is so normal we don’t even question it. The mirror quietly becomes a part of how we judge ourselves, every single day. In the UK, studies found people check the mirror up to 70 times a day and half won’t leave home without doing it. But even with all this mirror time, many feel worse after looking. Generally, people say it makes them feel negative. Because of this, a new trend has started where people are choosing to avoid mirrors for a while. This new trend is being referred to as mirror fasting.
The idea of “mirror fasting” started with a writer named Autumn Whitefield-Madrano. She noticed that every time she saw her reflection, she would change her expression to look a certain way. This habit made her feel uncomfortable and too focused on her looks. So, she decided to stop looking in mirrors and avoid reflective surfaces for a while. She avoided mirrors for a month and said it made her feel calmer and more relaxed. She wanted to understand how much her mood was tied to her appearance. To her surprise, she stopped worrying about how she looked quite quickly. She realised that if she was not thinking about it, others probably were not either. Now, she does a mirror fast once a year, only using a small mirror for makeup and covering larger mirrors when styling her hair.
Some experts are not sure if avoiding mirrors really helps in the long run. According to them many people try to stay away from mirrors to stop negative thoughts about their looks. But she explains that this might only work for a short time. Over time, it could stop people from facing and challenging those feelings. She adds that using mirrors too much or too little can both be harmful and finding a healthy balance is the key, like using mirrors when needed, but not obsessively. While mirror fasting might help some, it is not a cure for low self-esteem. Checking the mirror is a symptom and not the cause, of negative body image. If someone is trying to change their appearance, they will use the mirror to track progress. Mirror fasting may shift focus from looks but the real issue lies in how people feel about themselves. The true change comes from understanding your value is not tied to your appearance and that mirror fasting alone is not enough to address the deeper issues.
For many older individuals, mirror fasting becomes easier due to changes in eyesight. Even before needing strong reading glasses, avoiding mirrors often becomes a natural habit. Everyday tasks like applying makeup or getting dressed become easier with practice. The biggest challenge tends to be checking for food on the teeth or lips, but relying on others helps with that. Overall, mirror fasting offers a sense of freedom without the constant urge to check one’s reflection, it allows more focus on the world around. Mirror fasting offers a chance to break free from the constant focus on appearance, helping individuals reconnect with themselves and the world around them. While it’s not a fix for deeper self-esteem issues, it can be a step toward a healthier relationship with our reflections.
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