What thoughts came to your mind today when you looked into the mirror?

Category: Question of the Week 9 comments »

9 Responses to “What thoughts came to your mind today when you looked into the mirror?”

Dr. Vivian
February 5th, 2010 at 3:01 am
Today I woke up feeling rushed to get going, so I had very little time to get ready for work. I almost always put on a little bit of makeup when I go out but I guess I got distracted today and ran out without any. I only realized it when I looked in the mirror at my office. At first I thought, “uh-oh,” I won’t be comfortable with the way I look, since I’m so used to my face with a little blush, eyeliner and mascara on. But, when I looked more closely, I realized I didn’t really look that different. It used to be that I thought makeup was essential, like brushing my teeth and combing my hair. But maybe as I’ve gotten older, it doesn’t do that much for me. Maybe less is more? That would be nice. Or maybe the makeup I use isn’t that suitable for a woman in her fifties? I wonder what other women think about that. Wouldn’t it be nice to think that there were some benefits to getting older? It’s not like I don’t care how I look, I just feel I look good enough unadorned, just as I am.

Dr. Vivian
Michele Willens
February 5th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
What did I think when I looked in the mirror this morning?
The question is : DID I look in the mirror this morning? No, not because I didn’t have time but because I don’t have nerve! My uh-oh moments come often these days: I kind of peek when the lighting is low, when I have a little eyeliner on, when I am FULLY CLOTHED.
That bit of vanity aside, I like who I am more than ever these days: in other areas of my life, I feel I am taking more risks and making better choices…and even writing and thinking better than ever. So in a way, if I DID have the nerve to take a lights up-full fledged look at myself in a mirror, I may miss the girl I used to look like, but prefer the woman I have become.

Michele Willens
Sw
February 11th, 2010 at 3:05 am
“How did my mom get in there?”
Dr. Vivian
February 11th, 2010 at 3:48 am
If our moms could provide us good role models for how to age well, maybe when we see them in our mirrors we wouldn’t mind, right? That’s part of the problem for our generation. Most of our moms haven’t shown us how to age. We owe that to our daughters, so they won’t mind seeing us when they look in their mirrors –Dr. Vivian
Dr. Vivian
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Sw, we have a piece coming out about in HealYourself.com about how our moms “get in there” and how to use that knowledge to empower us, rather than make us feel sad or old. It should be on line around Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, take a look at a chapter in Face It on moms. We hope understanding how our moms got in there will enable women to see their mom’s within themselves with pleasure. –Dr. Vivian
Dr. Robin Aston
March 19th, 2010 at 3:56 am
What bothers me the most as I see my face droop – having laugh lines is fine – is that I feel it makes me look tired and worn out. My mother would accuse me as a kid of “looking tired”. I developed guilt about it. Finally told her if she notices it to tell me I look great. It would do far more to brighten my face and mood.
I don’t want to look tired and worn out. That seems pathetic and I have no desire for sympathy. I don’t want people to feel sad for me. Inside I’m as raring to go as I ever was (with more wisdom and more body aches). But I want my outsides to reflect my insides.
Another issue. Growing up I had a gorgeous mother therefore my looks were ignored. In my 40’s I became better and better looking. I’m 60 now and while I surprise people that I’m that old I can see the haggard look when not being animated. Make-up helps but I’m also aware that it’s a downhill slide. So, the first time IN MY LIFE of being noticed and obviously attractive to men was after 40! Such a fleeting time. I don’t want to lose the fun of it again.
Joan
March 31st, 2010 at 12:37 pm
This morning I didn’t look in the mirror. I felt good, good night’s sleep, had my coffee and read the paper and I am now looking forward to my morning lap swims at the pool. On the days that I keep moving and connecting with people, with minimum “mirror” time, I feel my best and happiest.

In my youth, I was always chasing beauty. And my looks caused me a lot of pain. When I look back at photographs, I see a very exotic, lovely woman. Not a classic beauty. I was always told that I didn’t have “perfect features” by my mother. I remember feeling so bad about that. I never felt pretty inside. I only felt pretty when I was admired, and given recognition and acknowledgment of my looks. Those good feelings only lasted a short time. Then I was back to feeling bad about myself.

Now I want that good feeling to be lasting. So, I’m working at it. I don’t have much more time to waste feeling bad.
Dr. Debbie
October 4th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Looking pretty good there lady. Every year gets sweeter; every day is a blessing. You’ve survived many trials and tribulations —- you’ve got much to smile about. Now go out there and share you smile and blessings with everyone you see.
Elly
June 3rd, 2011 at 6:17 am
Honestly? I remembered a lovely watching me get dressed when I was 27 and telling me, “You are SUCH a pretty girl!” And I wondered where that pretty girl was, if anyone can still see her. To me my face looks puffy and kind of pudgy. I feel as if that pretty girl is smothered in tired skin. I’ve just turned 50 and am fit, a trainee yoga teacher, but the truth is I’m conflicted about the changes to my face.