Dear Mirror

Thin glass

is all you are

Yet you have a hold,

on my mind and heart.

Distorted images

Flaws on display

The lies screaming

with self-hate.

I only missed a few meals

No big deal.

I only cry myself to sleep at night

It’s alright.

I’m tired of allowing you

to determine my worth.

My life is valuable

I have a purpose on this earth.

The way I let you control me

and tear apart my mind.

No more! I am fearfully

and wonderfully designed.

Thin glass

is all you are

When His voice speaks

you break apart.

Dear Mirror,                                                                              

I am done listening to the lies.

Dear Mirror,

My beauty comes from the inside. 

(My poem was published in Agape Review journal: https://agapereview.com/2023/05/14/dearmirror/)

I wrote this poem during a time in my life when I was really struggling with my self-image and struggling to love the girl I saw in the mirror. I have struggled with this insecurity since I was a young girl, always feeling invisible or ugly, comparing myself to other girls.

I know I am not the only one who has struggled with this. I see it all around me. And my heart breaks. For young girls who are already trapped in this cycle, obsessing over their outer appearance. People loathing themselves and the body they are in because they don't look like those "perfect" people online. Our society makes it very hard for people to love themselves with all the focus on looks, unrealistic beauty standards, and social media.

For me, social media is a trap. It sucks me into this cycle of endless scrolling, and then comparison, and then striving. Which never leaves me feeling good about myself or my life. It is exhausting, actually sapping my joy, the ugly lies starting to fill my head. "I'm not pretty like those other girls." "I'll never be enough." How many other people are trapped in this ugly cycle?

The reality is, my pictures on social media don’t show who I really am. The people behind the screen don’t see the real me. The side of me that is kind, caring, and compassionate, full of love to give. The side of me that is funny. The side of me that is genuine. They don’t know my loud laugh. They don’t see me when I cry at a really sad movie. When I’m encouraging a friend on a hard day. And they don’t see the real you. The you that is kind to strangers. The you who is working overtime to help pay for your parents’ hospital bill. The you that is smart, more than just a pretty face.

Unfortunately, this authenticity gets lost in our society. Everyone is trying to change the way they look to try and look the same. There’s nothing wrong with trying to look good or following beauty trends. I do this myself. But it breaks my heart when people hate their appearance and want to change it to be “perfect.” But what is perfect? Social media and beauty standards are starting to take away from the individuality of humans. There is so much emphasis on outer appearance in our society, but I think we should be focusing on who we are inside. Outer beauty will eventually fade over time, but inner beauty can last forever. We should be focusing on being kinder. Loving. Encouraging. Being people who make a positive impact on the world around us.

One of the best compliments I have ever received from someone was that I was a light. To me, this felt so much more meaningful than being told I was pretty because they saw the beauty inside me. The me who is kind. Who loves God. Who shines with a beauty deep inside.

I know feeling beautiful is part of being a woman! I love dressing up, doing my makeup and hair, and wearing a pretty dress. There’s nothing wrong with us girls feeling beautiful. I just don’t want us to have to strive to feel like we are beautiful. We don’t need the validation of any guy online or in person to feel like we are enough, when the God of the universe, who created us, already made us enough.

I'm sure it must break God's heart to look down and see so many of his children hating the way they look or comparing themselves to others. He took time and careful thought in creating each one of us; we aren't just random designs. He put thought into each part of us, our eye color, hair, body, personalities, and quirks. Even those flaws that we don't like about ourselves, God designed with purpose. He brought you into this world to be you, special and unique.

Today, if you are struggling with the same battle to love yourself, I want you to know there is victory with Jesus. What He says about you shatters all the lies. You are God’s masterpiece, carefully created by His hand, uniquely made. He does not make mistakes. You are His Child, and He delights in you. You are so unique, there is no one else like you on this earth. Your smile, your laugh, your creativity, your talents, your heart. This is what makes you beautiful. Just keep being you and letting your light shine.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14