Reclaiming my reflection

I first heard about mirror work when studying Louise Hay--a pioneer in the self-improvement space. A therapist of mine also alluded to it as a way to boost my self-esteem. At the time, it felt too simple of a practice aimed at self-love to be effective that I may have started it briefly but it never stuck.

So when I encountered it once again in Lindsay Dorio's biweekly Queendom workshop series, a gathering of women reclaiming their feminine empowerment. I took this to be a sign to actually do it, among others in a structured, communal setting. And boy, did it move me deeply.

Embodying mirror work with some red light therapy in the background, at The Studieaux.

Women today face countless pressures when it comes to their self-image, shaped by societal trends, culture, upbringing, and even biology. This affects their confidence level. I can speak for myself when I say that as I get older, I'm more fully learning to accept all of me for me. But circumstances and self-limiting beliefs can still knock me off my own pedestal sometimes. 

Because self-esteem is an inside job, it makes sense to find techniques that tap into the internal self, to reconnect with who you truly are and your inherent self-worth of just being.

It helped being given markers to write personalized messages on the mirror. As I ordained myself with jewel stickers, I was brought back to my authentic childhood playing dress up as a princess. it was sweet and nostalgic, and then the "real work" as they say, soon followed.

I felt uncomfortable as hell, at first defaulting to pointing out the various imperfections of my face before staring into those deep dark orbits--looking at what others see and yet not quite as you are a different person to everyone.

The experience was intense, and every minute felt like an eternity. Soft music played in the background, and Lindsay gently guided us from time to time in case our attention went astray. I appreciated that as I teared up, looking at that sweet girl who's been hurt one too many times but still managed to look so...regal.

Lindsay started Queendom after she realized she was living someone else's dream and was not in her fullest expression. "I found the key to unlocking the birthright of royalty within us is to open up our sensual bodies through dance and meeting ourselves deeply in the mirror.

"Our whole lives are just a reflection of us, so it's safe to say that the mirror is a beautiful way to start the homecoming journey back to the self."

As a result, I'm keeping this in my toolbox of self-love and not just to collect dust--everyone has their own preferred tools to take out during life's challenges. Mirror work will serve as a kind of armor for my core for when life knocks me out of my foundation.