Embrace Your Reflection
What If the Mirror Was Never the Problem?
I’ve spent years staring at my reflection in the mirror, hoping to see something better. But the truth is, the mirror never gave me peace. That reflection in the mirror didn’t show who I was; it just echoed the shame and pressure I was already carrying.
Understanding Body Image Therapy
The Mirror as a Battlefield
Every day, we face a mirror. But what we see reflected is rarely neutral.
It isn’t just glass. It’s a canvas for our self-criticism, insecurities, and the echoes of everything we’ve ever been told we need to change.
We don’t always see our true selves; we see shame, distortion, and fear.
The mirror becomes a battleground, and we’re always losing.
When the Mirror Fueled My Eating Disorder
I know this story intimately.
At the height of my eating disorder, I saw myself as broken. I would obsessively check the mirror, every angle, every curve, every so-called “flaw.”
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and pick myself apart relentlessly.
Nothing was ever good enough.
The reflection in the mirror wasn’t reality. It was distorted by shame and perfectionism.
I wasn’t chasing health, I was chasing relief from self-hatred.
And I never caught it.
The mirrors became a form of self-torture.
Not just because of what they showed but because of what I thought they showed.
A reflection in the mirror became a daily ritual of pain.
If this is you right now, please know:
You are not your reflection. You are not your eating disorder.
You are so much more than the mirror could ever reveal.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Take the first step towards healing and self-acceptance by booking a consultation with Becky Stone. Experience personalized support tailored to your unique needs.
If You’re Struggling With Mirror Obsession
Try this, gently:
➔ Cover the mirrors at home.
➔ Remove them from your bedroom or hallway.
➔ Distract yourself with music, connection, creativity.
➔ Let your friends or family know what you’re doing so they can support you.
It may feel strange at first.
You might notice how often you stare at your reflection in the mirror without realising.
But removing them, even for a few days—can help you reset your relationship with your body.
Your reflection is not your reality. It’s an illusion.
And your worth cannot live in glass.
Not only do mirrors distort… so do filters.
We scroll through perfect photos and then look at ourselves in despair.
But we’re comparing our lowest moments to someone else’s edited ones.
It’s not fair. And it’s not real.
What you see in the mirror is already filtered by emotion.
Add a digital filter on top; no wonder we struggle to feel “enough.”
The Role of Self-Compassion in Healing
Embracing Change Through Body Image Therapy
Lighting, Angles, and Lies
You can look different in every mirror you pass.
Slim in one room, bloated in another.
Fluorescent lighting in a shop can make you feel terrible about yourself.
But it’s not your body changing; it’s your environment lying to you.
We need to stop trusting mirrors more than we trust our intuition.
Reframing the Reflection
What if you could look in the mirror and say:
➔ “This is my body. It’s kept me alive.”
➔ “These thighs walked me through recovery.”
➔ “This stomach has softened over time—and that’s okay.”
This isn’t toxic positivity.
It’s radical gentleness.
A quiet, defiant act of kindness in a world that profits off your self-criticism.
Image Work Is Mental Health Work
Obsessive mirror-checking.
Extreme exercise.
They’re not just behaviours; they’re coping mechanisms.
And they deserve compassion, not shame.
In therapy, we unpack what’s behind those behaviours.
We heal the roots, not just the reflection.
Because when you treat your body with kindness, your mind begins to follow.
Understanding Body Image
You’re Not Vain, You’re Vulnerable
Let’s get one thing straight:
It doesn’t mean you’re vain if you check your body in the mirror constantly.
It means you’re surviving.
Trying to feel okay.
Trying to feel in control.
But survival mode isn’t healing.
And healing begins when we stop performing for the mirror, and start connecting to who we are inside.
The Role of Self-Compassion
Radical Acts of Reclamation
➔ Wear an outfit that feels like you, not what’s “flattering.”
➔ Dye your hair. Go makeup-free.
➔ Smile at your reflection instead of scanning it.
➔ Post the photo you love, even if you’re not “posed.”
➔ Skip the mirror for a week. Let your body just be.
These aren’t small acts.
They’re revolutionary when you’ve lived in shame.
Embracing Change Through Therapy
Body image therapy isn’t about fixing you because you were never broken.
It’s a safe, gentle space to talk openly about how you feel in your body, especially when the mirror feels like the enemy. There’s no judgment here, support, honesty, and a chance to start rewriting the story you’ve been told about yourself.
Together, we’ll use down-to-earth tools and compassionate conversations to help you feel more at home in your body. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, acceptance, and giving yourself the care you’ve always deserved.
Meet Becky Stone
Hi, I’m Becky Stone, a therapist, clinical supervisor, and someone who’s walked this mirror-obsessed road. I support people with eating disorders, body image struggles, trauma, and neurodivergence in a warm, non-judgemental way.
If you’re struggling to look in the mirror and feel okay
You don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s start with a chat.
