The Reflection I Used to Fear
There was a time I avoided mirrors altogether. Not because I hated my body, but because I was terrified of the judgments I had internalized. Every time I passed my reflection, I searched for flaws: Is my top hiding my chest enough? Will someone notice the third breast? Should I cover more? Should I disappear a little?
The mirror wasn’t just glass — it was a weapon I’d turned against myself.
Where Self-Criticism Begins
It starts so subtly. A photo you delete. A shirt you refuse to wear. A look in the mirror that ends with a sigh and a whisper of “not enough.” Living in a body that’s different — visibly different — like mine, meant I learned early how to dissect my reflection instead of appreciating it.
I became my own worst critic, thinking I was protecting myself from what others might say.
But in reality? I was only hurting me.
The Turning Point: Seeing Instead of Judging
One day, I stood in front of the mirror — no makeup, no filters, no pose. I didn’t look away. I didn’t edit myself. I breathed.
And I said: “You deserve to be seen.”
That moment didn’t erase years of shame, but it opened a door. I began seeing my reflection as something sacred, not something to be “fixed.” My third breast wasn’t a flaw. It was a signature — a reminder that beauty isn’t born in symmetry but in authenticity.
Learning to Make Peace
Here’s how I began transforming the mirror from an enemy to an ally:
- Mirror affirmations: I look into my eyes and speak gently to myself. “You are real. You are enough.”
- Neutral observation: I don’t have to love every inch every day — but I can stop the war.
- Creative photoshoots: I turned the lens into an extension of my self-love, not a test I had to pass.
I started to appreciate what I once tried to hide.
Why This Journey Matters
When we reclaim the mirror, we reclaim the narrative. No one else gets to decide if we’re beautiful. We do.
I no longer fear my reflection. I respect it. I smile at it. I dress it with intention. I move with softness and pride.
And when I catch myself slipping back into judgment? I remind myself of this:
My body isn’t a mistake.
My reflection is not the enemy.
I am not here to conform — I’m here to glow.
From Self-Criticism to Self-Respect
This isn’t a perfect journey. Some days, the old voice creeps in. But now, I have new tools, a new truth, and a deeper love for the girl in the glass.
I see her clearly.
And I’m proud.
👉 Follow me on Instagram: @kalyaunpetittrucenplus to see how I turn reflection into celebration, one unapologetic photo at a time.