You glance at your reflection and instead of seeing yourself, you see a list of flaws. The lines on your face look too sharp, your body feels too heavy or too thin, and nothing about your appearance seems good enough. You turn away quickly, hoping to distract yourself from the wave of criticism that comes every time you look in the mirror. For many people struggling with self-esteem and identity, this moment happens daily.

In counselling, I worked with Emily (name changed) who shared how painful this experience was for her. “I avoid mirrors as much as I can,” she admitted. “When I do look, I only see what is wrong. It ruins my whole day before it even begins.” Her story reflected the reality of low self-esteem: the harsh inner critic that turns neutral reflections into painful judgments.

Negative self-image does not only affect how you see yourself in the mirror. It often shapes how you move through the world. You may hold back from social situations because you feel unattractive. You may compare yourself constantly to others, always finding reasons why you do not measure up. You may even hear an inner voice repeating, If I looked different, maybe I would be happier, more confident, more loved.

This struggle is not vanity—it is the weight of self-esteem issues that run much deeper than appearance. For many, it connects to early criticism, cultural pressures or unrealistic standards from social media. Over time, the mirror becomes more than glass; it becomes a reflection of all the doubts you carry about yourself.

There are ways to begin softening this inner battle. One approach is mirror exposure with compassion. Instead of avoiding your reflection, spend a few moments looking at yourself without rushing away. At first, simply notice your features neutrally without labeling them as good or bad. Over time, add gentle affirmations such as This is me, and I deserve kindness. Emily began practicing this by placing a sticky note on her mirror with one supportive phrase. Slowly, it shifted how she spoke to herself.

Another helpful strategy is focusing on body functionality rather than appearance. Instead of judging how your body looks, remind yourself what it allows you to do: walking, hugging loved ones, laughing, working, creating. Reframing your perspective from criticism to gratitude creates a more balanced and realistic relationship with your self-image.

Disliking what you see in the mirror does not mean you are broken. It means you are carrying pain that can be healed. With support and practice, you can move from criticism to acceptance, and even toward appreciation of who you are—inside and out.

You do not have to carry this alone. Support is available, and taking the first step can change everything. Visit www.drkaranvirsingh.com and book your free 20-minute session today.