What is Mirror Work & How to Practice It
Recently, I turned part of my closet into a “War Room” (prayer room). If you don’t know what a war room is, then I encourage you to watch the movie The War Room, it will change your life!
My war room consists of; my vision board, prayer journal, gratitude journal and most importantly, a mirror. Why a mirror? One day as I was in my closet praying… I felt an impression come over me, “go get the mirror from the storage room downstairs and put it on the floor.” Well, I’ve learned that all things good come from following that still small voice… so I obeyed.
This mirror has changed SO much for me! As I started looking at myself in the mirror and saying my affirmations and talking outloud to myself in the mirror about my vision board and how I was so excited for each thing on my board to come into fruition, miracles started to happen! I actually started loving myself and was so excited to get up each morning and sit on my closet floor and talk to myself in the mirror. I knew I couldn’t possibly keep it to myself, so today I’m sharing with you what mirror work is and how to practice it daily!
What is mirror work?
Mirror work is a self-improvement technique that involves looking at yourself in a mirror while repeating positive affirmations or engaging in self-reflective exercises. It's a practice that encourages self-love, self-acceptance, and personal growth. From a scientific standpoint, research from one 2017 study, noted that "The mirror enhances the efficacy of this self-compassion manipulation in activating the soothing effect system connected with parasympathetic nervous system activity."
But why? Because in front of the mirror, there is nowhere to hide from ourselves. Louise Hay writes in her book Mirror Work: “The mirror reflects back to you the feelings you have about yourself. It makes you immediately aware of where you are resisting and where you are open and flowing. It clearly shows you what thoughts you will need to change if you want to have a joyous, fulfilling life.”
In other words, if you use affirmations for self development, the most powerful place to do them is in front of the mirror.
What are the benefits of mirror work?
Some of the most tangible benefits I’ve experienced since using mirror work in my “war room” are:
Enhanced Self-Esteem: It allows you to confront and challenge negative self-perceptions.
Improved Self-Image: Gazing at yourself with love and kindness in the mirror can gradually reshape how you perceive your physical appearance.
Empowerment: Speaking affirmations directly to yourself in the mirror can be a powerful way to reinforce positive beliefs and create a sense of empowerment.
Enhanced Mental Health: Engaging in mirror work can help reduce negative self-talk, alleviate anxiety, and promote a positive mindset.
Increased Opportunities and Miracles: Cultivating a positive mindset about yourself and speaking life over your dream and affirmations brings them to fruition so much faster.
How to practice mirror work
Now that I’ve explained what mirror work is and why it’s so beneficial, let's explore how to incorporate it into your daily routine:
Choose your location
Set up a dedicated space for mirror work. There’s a lot of science (that I won’t get in to) on determining a specific place in your home to do personal development and mindset work. By choosing one location to do your prayers and affirmations, it trains your brain that when you’re in that space it’s time to be grateful and positive. For me, that location is my closet. But, it could be anywhere with a mirror: your home gym, your bathroom, your office, even your car.
Choose your affirmations
Begin by selecting affirmations that resonate with you. They don’t need to be set in stone and they can change as you grow and evolve. But for now, select 5-10 affirmations to repeat to yourself in the mirror. These affirmations should be positive, encouraging, and aligned with your personal growth goals. Need some help choosing your affirmations, check out these affirmations to help cope with anxiety or these affirmations for financial abundance.
Make it a regular practice
Consistency is key in mirror work. Make it a daily or weekly ritual, depending on what suits your schedule and needs. You don’t need a lot of time to dedicate to this, start small with 3-5 minutes. Find a quiet moment of your day where you won't be rushed, and commit to practicing mirror work during that time. The more you practice it, the more you’ll start to feel and see the effects in your life.
So, are you ready to give mirror work a try?
In case this is the first time we’re connecting, I’m Jill, an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and leader inspiring other women to live out their God given purpose by helping them overcome physical, mental, and financial hardships. If you liked this blog post and want more where that came from, here are a few ways we can work together:
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