I Stopped Looking in the Mirror for 2 Weeks, and You Should Try It Too

I can’t remember how many times I’ve hidden away from the world when I felt ashamed of my appearance, or how many invitations I’ve turned down because I felt disgusted by the way I look. I gazed into the bathroom mirror and thought, “Why does it have to be me?”

Looking in the mirror is inevitably followed by blaming my treacherous genes for giving me an odd face with an imperfect shape. I decided to stop looking in the mirror completely to see if anything changed because I couldn’t go on like this anymore.

Preparation and rule setting

I covered my mirrors and avoided anything that showed my reflection as much as possible. If I did catch my reflection, I would quickly look away. It’s not about avoiding looking at myself, but rather about not hating what I see when I do. During this experiment, I tried to avoid negative thinking about my appearance. Only positive thoughts about my appearance were allowed!

I covered all the mirrors in my house with sheets of paper and all the reflective surfaces, I also put all my small mirrors in the back of my drawer. By the way, I can’t take selfies, obviously, and somehow I would have to stay away from the black screen of my phone. Wish me luck!

1. I got ready way faster.

It took way less time to get dressed and put my makeup on. I was a bit worried about not blending my concealer the right way or applying lipstick unevenly. This thought was annoyingly flashing in my mind throughout the day, and it was hard to shake off the feeling that something was not right with my face.

After the first week, I finally got used to it and, at some point, didn’t even care if I wore makeup or not. I also stopped running late, even when I stayed in bed for an extra 5 minutes.

2. I stopped checking my body.

Typically, in the morning, when I looked in mirrors, I would always have the urge to lift my T-shirt and look at my belly or thighs in disgust. I was never satisfied with my body and I would stand in front of the mirror trying to find new “flaws.” I’d tell myself to eat less and work out more, I’d pinch myself and, in the end, didn’t feel like getting ready for the day.

Now I don’t do any of those things because I simply don’t look in the mirror. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I avoid myself. It’s just that, for once, I started feeling comfortable in my skin without trying to see myself through the prism of modern beauty standards.

3. I felt insecure.

I couldn’t look people in the eyes because I thought there was something wrong with me. What if something was stuck in my teeth? What if my hair looked terrible that day? At times, I avoided talking to people because of how insecure I felt. I participated less at work and didn’t share my boldest ideas sometimes because I felt that I’d be laughed at or that someone would point at some kind of flaw in my appearance.

However, after the first week, I actually started to feel so free! I voiced my opinion and was active not only at work but also outside of it. Yes, it’s a drastic change of mindset, but only because the previous week I assured myself that I was being irrational in my thinking. I realized no one would do any harm to me just because I might not “look good.”

4. My acne cleared up.

Now this one is my favorite. I stopped having those urges to pop pimples because I just couldn’t see them. 2 weeks earlier I had some nasty red pimples, but now I might have 1 or 2 on my forehead, and they’re super tiny, and I don’t even need makeup to cover them up. I also stopped picking my face because, again, I didn’t see what spots I could scratch.

5. I cheated once.

I was invited to a really important conference to give a talk in front of a large audience. Such an opportunity knocks on one’s door only once, so I felt justified about looking in the mirror in my bedroom and bathroom. I also looked in the rear-view window of my car and even took a selfie. I felt a bit happy to see my reflection because I missed it.

6. I don’t look the way I think I do.

2 weeks later, I finally decided to uncover all the mirrors and take a look at myself. I hesitated a little before I took off the sheets of paper from my bedroom mirror. My heart raced, and it felt like I was going to see something that would leave me speechless for the rest of my life. I took the covers off and saw myself in the mirror.

I was pleasantly surprised — I’m actually not ugly, my ears don’t stick out that much, and my body is okay. However, I used to see myself differently all the time, and I’m not talking about the most obvious features, like weight or hair. There was just something different about me that I can’t really identify. You know, it’s like that feeling when you hear your recorded voice, and it sounds different in your head.

What I learned

The experiment really changed the way I perceived my face and body. I can’t say that I gained boundless confidence or revealed the ultimate secret to happiness. The only thing I did for sure was become kinder to myself and learned to treat myself like a friend rather than a foe.

If you’d like to try it out as well, bear in mind that this experiment won’t change your life drastically, but it will give you a new perspective and challenge you in all possible ways. It was fun, difficult, and sometimes stressful, but, in the end, it was absolutely worth it.

We have some more articles about beauty that you might also like. Discover the stunning women who have captured the hearts and minds of people around the globe here. This article explains why finding happiness in love may not be about looks, but rather qualities that truly matter.

Get inspired by these people who show confidence in all areas of life here. In this article, you’ll find out which unconventional stars have a certain charm that makes them irresistible. Last but not least, enhance your appearance and feel more confident with these simple tips that can make a big difference.