Speaking for myself, there are times I’ve wished I was a ghost instead of a human being so people would stop looking at me, judging and interpreting who I am based on my external/physical presence. I’ve often felt that all my body/face does is tell lies about me, misrepresenting who I am inside. Even as I read makeup blogs now, it’s a fraught experience. I started wearing makeup because bullies pressured me to. It’s only recently that I’ve come to find enjoyment in makeup and beauty. But I still have some anxieties. So for me, while it may not change the image-obsessed culture we live in, not constantly looking at myself and engaging with what I look like physically could be quite calming. I haven’t tried it yet, but it could help people like me come to peace with the fact that being judged on appearance is a fact of life- maybe taking a sabbatical could allow such a person to recollect themselves and find a way to cope and find enjoyment in their image.

I know a lot of people could read the above and not relate to it at all- I think most women accept the idea that physical appearance is part of life, and their struggle is more with accepting whether their appearance is good enough. For them, I think what you have to say is probably true! The important thing is to realize everyone learns to cope with image and self-esteem in different ways. I don’t like that this mirror-fast is a trend/popular, because when things “trend” it usually means people are encouraged to try it because “it’s so now”, regardless of whether it actually helps them.

I would not give up the mirror because it is a tool I use to honor my body. I am not a size 2 or 4 but I love what I see and you my friend are gorgeous in every way.