Mirrors, they’re everywhere, it’s impossible to hide from them even if I tried to. Sometimes I’m intentionally looking for them, but more often than not, their presence just surprises me out of nowhere. Reflections can appear anywhere, it may appear somewhere as obvious as the giant windows of a store you pass, or the side windows of a car, or when I accidentally open the front-facing camera on my phone, etc. Coincidental reflections may even appear from the puddle on the ground, or the back of a spoon, or the back of a showerhead, you get the idea. Whether I’m intentionally trying to check myself out or happen to see my reflection by coincidence, they’re always out there.
As narcissistic as it may sound, I look at my reflection about a hundred times a day. But believe me, it’s usually not to see how good I look, but rather to check if I look presentable at the moment. Some days I’m feeling it and I say to myself, GIRL, your skin is popping today. Other days I look at myself in the mirror and I think, Why do I look like that? Is my makeup wearing off? Ew, my hair is so oily, how many days has it been since it was last washed? etc. They can place me in a crisis of consternation even if I didn’t expect it. Mirrors can show you all your imperfections but at the same time, they can also show you what makes you stunningly unique. Just like the different frames on the mirrors that make them unique, from the different shapes and sizes to the contrasting colors and finishes, we are unique just like them.
This is great, Selina– you have a very natural and precise sense of description that makes the reader feel like they’re right alongside you.