full image - Repost: How I choose to Love Mirrors (from Reddit.com, How I choose to Love Mirrors)
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A mirror, an object intended to reflect reality. Yet, when we stand in front of it, we cannot help but perceive such a critical version of ourselves. If the monster in the mirror is us and its flaws are in fact our own, how can we love the object that imposes such a horrible vision on us. Our flaws burn our retina leaving behind forever the ravages of disappointment and self-hatred. Rare are the people who are completely satisfied with the reflection in front of them, a reflection that only demands to be loved. The majority try to defy gravity by holding back their tears that slide down their cheeks at the mere sight of the person in front of them, completely despicable and unworthy. You can't blame them. Society is built on a sense of sadness, disappointment and emptiness. An emptiness generated by practically unattainable standards. A perfect body, a fancy car, designer clothes, likes on Instagram. We feel the need to be loved by everyone, everyone except maybe ourselves.Society dictates that you wear uncomfortable shoes, because it's inconceivable to go to school in old fashioned sneakers. You obey. Society tells you to skip a meal, as you've been doing so well for the past week, you're starving, but you still wouldn't want anyone to think you were fat. You obey. Society tells you to get good grades in school, but be careful not to get too high and you'll be ridiculed, no one likes a straight-A student. You obey. Society tells you to change your nose, a rhinoplasty wouldn't hurt. You obey. Society tells you to speak up, to speak down, to go right, to go left. You obey. You obey. You obey. Society tells you not to be yourself anymore. You obey.It is impossible to be yourself in a world where self-love is seen as arrogance and narcissism. The few who look at the mirror with admiration are marginalized. To not love oneself is to be in trend. Rates of mental health problems among youth are increasing. The discrimination that seems to dominate our society hurts. The evidence is that minorities are more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as depression. Everywhere around us, we see advertisements that put so much pressure on us to be perfect. Everyone seems to want to impose a way of acting, a way of being. Often, people who manage to accept themselves are considered abnormal and are constantly judged.So ridiculous when you think about it. We live in a world that pushes people to stop loving themselves. It's so easy to see the best in people you love. The person says they can't do it, you tell them I believe in you, you can do it, and when the reflection in the mirror seems less attractive that morning, you mention the beauty that is then seen through your own eyes. However, it is impossible to say such words to you. In your opinion, you are the one who is not capable and you are the one who is ugly. We are really our own worst critic. So let's start treating ourselves the way we treat the people we love.On the other hand, when we are asked to tell our story, we choose which parts to put forward, projecting an image of ourselves that seems more lovable, more acceptable. If our life is a novel, then it would never be read in its entirety, since reading it would reveal our imperfections, those we have tried so hard to hide for too long. We are not only the best pages, we are the first chapter, the last and all the pages in between, even the most boring ones. We are the delicate and comforting words, but also the sharp and hurtful ones. Yes, some pages may be torn, soiled, folded, wrinkled, soaked, but they are the remnants of a life lived, a life with ups, downs, laughter, and tears. This is our story and it is a beautiful story in its entirety. And let me tell you, it deserves to be shared.Personally, I have long tried to please my parents, my friends and society. For a long time, I tried to hide what I thought others didn't like about me. But there is only one person I should always try to please. That person is me. Stop comparing yourself and try to accept yourself. You will never be enough for everyone around you, but you can be enough for yourself. So, I ask you today to do as I do and look at yourself in the mirror with love, to read your story out loud. You are beautiful. You are brilliant. You are loved. You are breathtaking. You are unique. You are you.
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