My desire to create positive uplifting messages for people tell themselves whenever they look in the mirror is not born out of a pollyanna positivity that only focuses on the positive and pretends the negatives of our lives don’t exist and sweep them under the rug. The idea to do this stems from the deep healing I have done over the last 30 years in transforming Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attachment Trauma, related mental health disorders, and substance abuse issues. Not only have I survived, but I have learned how to thrive. Every time I hear about any woman, man or child who has taken their life, or is mired in substance abuse issues and other dangerous behaviors, my heart aches for them and their families. I know that pain. 

 

I want people who are struggling with the issues I struggled with throughout my life to know they can be healed and transformed into lifegiving energy. Changing our inner dialogue and adopting a stance of compassion and understanding for ourselves, our mistakes, as well as choosing to forgive ourselves for any real or perceived shortcomings is a powerful step in the right direction of deep healing.

 

Lisa Nicols, https://motivatingthemasses.com/mirror-work/, a powerhouse woman in the personal growth industry, uses and teaches on the power of “mirror work”. Talking to yourself with unconditional positive regard along with the compassion and understanding you would extend to a dear friend. She advocates using three different stem sentences with your name and coming up with at least 7 different endings of your own for healing, release, and celebration.

 

The three stem sentences are: 

 

_____, I’m proud of you that…

_____, I forgive you for…

_____, I commit to you today…

 

These statements said to ourselves daily have the power to help us release the toxic guilt, shame, and resentment that can shackle our hearts and potential for healing and growth.

 

For young adult and adults who purchase mirrors, instructions for doing the “Mirror Work” and tips on how to neurologically reprogram old, outdated beliefs into new encouraging and self-empowering ones will be included, as well as a list for resources I have found profoundly helpful in healing deep-seated attachment trauma. 

 

Hypnotherapist, Marrisa Peer, notes that one of the fastest ways to break out of this cycle of disempowerment is to write, “I am enough” on your bathroom mirror so every time you go in there, you see that message to remind yourself, that, “yes! I am enough.”  So many of us have the idea that we are not enough, in general or in more specific terms, and she notes that it is one of the core beliefs to shift to make lasting and all-pervasive positive changes in our lives.  That’s when I got the idea to carve my own mirror frame with uplifting statements on them, such as “I am enough, I am lovable, worthy, safe and beautiful”. 

​

For children’s rooms mirrors I am in the process of designing a different little booklet designed as a children’s book to encourage a healthy sense of self and growth mindset. I did not have this growing up and I think every child’s wall should have a reminder of how inherently worthy and lovable they are just because they were born. And that mistakes are inevitable (and maybe even celebrated!) and that’s how we can learn and grow.