The Mirror Never Had an Opinion

Stand in front of a mirror.

It faithfully reflects whatever is there.

No compliments.

No criticism.

No unsolicited life advice.

Just a reflection.

Then your mind arrives.

"I look tired."

"I've aged."

"I should lose weight."

"I wish I looked like them."

Interesting, isn't it?

The mirror never said any of that.

It simply showed an image.

Everything else was added by the narrator living inside our heads.

Over time, we stop seeing ourselves.

We start seeing our commentary.

And eventually, we mistake the commentary for the truth.

Identity quietly slips from who we are...

...to what we keep repeating about ourselves.

Perhaps the greatest act of self-awareness isn't looking in the mirror more often.

It's arguing with the narrator a little less.

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