28 Nov Take a good look in the mirror….you might like what you see..

Have you ever honestly looked in the mirror?

I don’t mean putting on makeup, cleaning your teeth, and looking in the mirror. I mean looking at yourself in your eyes, your face, and even into the depths of your soul. Well, I hadn’t until very recently.

You know that saying ‘Have a good hard look at yourself in the mirror’? Well, I have never shied away from having a good hard ‘look in the mirror’ at myself. I take feedback and constructive criticism because that helps us grow as humans. Life is all about learning from our mistakes. Children can’t believe they are fantastic, perfect, and clever all the time, or they will never have the chance to improve, strive, or challenge themselves. They won’t know that change and striving to improve will reap a personal reward.

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to attend a women’s retreat in the peaceful surroundings of Leura in the Blue Mountains. I was nervous but also looking forward to some time to focus on myself and seek a clear direction for my business and life. I knew I had to remove myself from my busy life to have time to reflect on what was most important. I believe in carving out your life and not sitting back waiting for it to happen

Well, I got the outcome I needed and a whole lot more. There is too much for just one blog, so let’s go back to looking in that mirror.

On day 2 of the retreat, we spent ten minutes in front of a mirror, staring into our eyes and confronting ourselves. There were times I just had to look away. I realized it was the first time I had ever really seen myself. I noticed the shape of my face, my eyebrows framing my eyes, my hairline forming around my forehead, and my thin lips. I also saw lines and creases I didn’t know existed. I was full of critical words and thoughts. I saw the parts I could fix if I caved into Botox. I saw a darkness in my eyes, like I was saying goodbye to any past heaviness.

Photos are frozen moments, while a mirror reflects depth and movement. My mind played tricks, making me focus on the negatives, but the longer I looked, the more fascinated I became. I kept thinking that there was only one face like this. I started to see what I liked: my high cheekbones and large eyes. The negative thoughts faded, and I began to embrace my uniqueness.

Is this what acceptance feels like? Is this how my styling clients feel once they have embraced the process I put them through? Do they experience a shift in how they see themselves and feel in their bodies when they stand in front of the mirror and see what else is possible?

My role as a personal stylist is to use clothing as a tool to connect women to their truth. I work with women who want more confidence, fun, and light. There is never anything wrong with self-improvement.

As I gazed into my eyes, it became even more apparent that style and acceptance are about being connected to oneself. External validation is meaningless. Believing in your journey is crucial. Intuition, gut instinct, and the feelings of right or wrong are inherent in all women, but the noise of everyday life can make it challenging to trust them. We often give away our power, slowly draining it and forgetting who we are.

The retreat and the women involved could give themselves time, insight, stillness and a place of non-judgment. Life is a journey; the only thing guaranteed is that you will always be by your side. So look into that mirror and ask yourself if you are holding onto the darkness of self-criticism or moving forward and letting in the light of acceptance.

Women who love and accept themselves will continue to grow confident and say yes to opportunities. They back themselves.

When I finished looking at myself in the mirror, I saw someone I knew well and liked. She was me.

Take a good look in the mirror. You might, too, find what you have been looking for!
For more information on the empowering women retreat, head to https://www.facebook.com/SuziPetrozzi/