Last update: 03 September, 2015
When we look in the mirror, the effect that seeing our reflection can cause influences the way we relate to others and to ourselves. The so-called "Mirror syndrome" it is more frequent than you think.
With the habit of looking and analyzing ourselves in the mirror, the need may arise to learn to live with your body and to consider our problems and defects before looking for them in others.
The mirror syndrome tells us about the relationship between people affected by this problem and their image: they distort it until they see defects that do not exist and magnify them. The mirror, which we often have in our bedroom, bathroom, or other rooms in our home, is a mediator of relationships.
In most cases, the "couple" formed by a person and his image is quite asymmetrical; it can turn into a sick relationship full of problems, suffering, difficulties, worries, struggles, etc.
Just as when we find ourselves living with someone, we must learn to live with our body every day and, above all, with what we see through the mirror.. That reflection is nothing more than the projection we have of ourselves.
"Mirror mirror of my desires, who is the fairest in the realm?" Said the evil witch of Snow White. She wanted to do everything to always see herself young and beautiful.
In reality, we don't have any potions and spells to do it: the fountain of youth does not exist, but there is the ability to love ourselves for who we are, to accept ourselves regardless of age, weight, wrinkles and measurements.
The mirror syndrome it becomes a pathology to be treated when it degenerates in cases such as bulimia or anorexia, two very common disorders in girls during adolescence. No matter how thin they are, teenagers (but it can happen to boys too) always see themselves as fat and ugly, and this is the result of a cognitive distortion.
How to cope with mirror syndrome?
In primo luogo, prejudices and comparisons must be avoided: we are neither better nor worse than others, we are just different.
Fatter, leaner, taller, shorter, better looking, uglier, ... these are nothing but arbitrary judgments. Fashions change, and with them the standards of beauty. To realize this, it is enough to take a look at the paintings dating back to three centuries ago.
Each of us is beautiful for its peculiarities, we are unique and unrepeatable, the most wonderful beings of all creation. This does not mean turning into narcissists and constantly admiring our image, believing ourselves above everything and everyone, flaunting our beauty, but learning to love and accept ourselves as we really are.
It is essential to be self-deprecating, to laugh at your mistakes and flaws. A little healthy humor can lighten your life and improve the relationship we have with our body and with others.
It is also important turn us into our best friends and accomplices, which means not giving a premature judgment to our image, based only on what a mirror gives us. If we feel happy, satisfied and in a good mood, does it really matter the size of our hips, the belly we have or the shape of our nose?
It is essential to love ourselves first, in order to then be able to love others and be loved by them: if we don't respect each other, no one else will.
The only person you can compare yourself with is yourself. You simply have to fight and overcome yourself every day, try to be a better person and develop new skills. You can analyze how you were yesterday and how you are today, but not to criticize yourself, but to know how to act to improve.
The perception of our body is only a reflection of our inner state. You don't have to worry about what your body looks like; for sure you will have a different impression if you look at yourself on a day when you are sad and confront yourself with a moment when you feel happy.
If you accept yourself as you are, you will have the ability to laugh at your mistakes and mistakes, regardless of what the mirror shows; that will be the moment when you will be truly happy and balanced people.
You will see that, when you laugh at yourself, then you will be able to do it with others as well.
