Find a mirror.
Take a deep breath in, and exhale… slowly bring your focus to your reflection.
As you exhale, bring your attention to your reflection and make a note of your immediate thoughts. Be careful not to pass judgment of what you should, or should not be thinking. Just let the thoughts flow.
This is just for you so don’t worry about what other people think, what is it that you see and feel?
After your initial thoughts have settled, start at the top of your head and work your way down.
Observe your hairline, forehead, eyebrows, eyes, temples, the bridge of your nose, your actual nose, reaching out to your cheekbones, cheeks, your lips, down to your chin and your neck. Take note of what you see, each crease and each smooth surface. The color of each feature, every freckle, every cell.
As judgments arise in your mind, be kind to yourself and acknowledge them for what they are, and then come back to your reflection. Get to know your face. Own your reflection. You may recognize resemblances to your ancestors, but each part of the shape and skin coverage is your own.
No one has worn your expressions, no one has seen what you have seen through your eyes. This is your face, what is it telling you, and what are you telling it? Honestly ponder if you treat yourself as a friend or foe.
If you can do this reflective scan with a full body mirror, that is fantastic. Acknowledging your own body is empowering. Connecting your mind to your body image can be even more powerful. The key to this exercise is to let go of judgment and allow just the facts.
Once you begin recognizing yourself separate from the opinions of yourself and others, it is much easier to see yourself as a blank slate. A canvas that you can cover with new experiences. A worthy companion for your journey.