The idea of mirror fasting has hit the blogosphere!
Here’s an article in the New York Times giving you the reflective scoop:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/fashion/mirror-fasts-help-take-the-focus-off-yourself.html?_r=0
I probably need a chocolate fast more than a mirror fast, but the concept of NOT looking in the mirror is intriguing.
But give up the mirror? Even for six months?
Could you? Would you?
The bloggers in the story aren’t menopausal, yet. I think we menopausal beauties need the mirror to mark the years, to see the wrinkles inching their way in.
I don’t want to suddenly be old and not know it happened.
I have a friend who says her smile lines are symbols of all her happy moments. Another who says crinkles around your eyes represent your deep thoughts.
Hmm.
Not sure I’m there yet, but the concept of using the mirror to celebrate a well-lived life is an appealing one, that’s for sure.
What about you?
Interested in a mirror fast?
Photo: My daughter Laura found this mirror at the Durham Arts Festival. It’s made from a spacer on a big, big truck. I’m not sure what a spacer does for a truck as it speeds down the road, but it makes a funky mirror. So here’s another question: If you were a spacer, would you rather be rolling down a highway or shining from a wall?
Friend For The Ride 
Nope, can’t do a mirror fast. As much as I hate to see my reflection sometimes, I wouldn’t want to go 6 months without checking in. If I did, I’d probably weigh 20 extra pounds at the end of my “fast”.
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That’s like me with the scale. I’m finding I do best if I weigh myself. I trick myself into thinking I feel thinner. When I finally step on, I’m in shock.
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Barbara, that totally describes me with the scale too! Yikes. I feel ok, when not weighing myself, then I get on and reality hits and all my clothes suddenly feel way too tight!
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I think it’s better to weigh every day. I know others disagree but when I wait, feel thin, and then weigh, I’m devastated if the news is bad.
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No thanks! I can’t imagine not blowing my hair in front of a mirror. And can you imagine how much blush I might put on and not even know it?! That is getting too close to camping for me–not having all those amenities that make my life easier. I’ll pass.
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I think one of the women in the article allowed looking at just one part of herself. Her lips, say, for applying lipstick.
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Sounds wonderful to me…..freedom from thinking of self and looks and pressure and worry. But it would only work if everyone else in the world did the same thing!!! 🙂
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And we would all be looking at each other and thinking, “If they could only see what they look like!
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Ha! Not our friends. We’re all too nice…………
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Yup…we are all too nice. If only the goal were to not place so much importance on looks.
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I missed this article– and I consider myself a careful NYTimes reader.
No, don’t think I could do a mirror fast– not that I spend that much time preening, but like to know they’re there. Orthodox Jews cover mirrors after someone dies. Not sure for how long or why.
A college friend asked me years ago if I could apply lipstick without looking in the mirror– something she said our mothers could do. I had never thought about it, but can do it with ease– a sign of age?
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Found this:
http://judaism.about.com/od/deathmourni2/f/mirrors.htm
I like the concept–to focus on the departed.
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Interesting. And yes…I can apply without mirror and very handy to do so.
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Shining on the wall in an old tobacco warehouse!
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Me too. Being on a truck rolling down the highway, while adventuresome, seems scary and not very relaxing.
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I saw someone on the Katie show this week who got rid of her mirrors for a year or something like that. She also cut her hair short and got rid of make up. She said she based her grooming on just doing what her husband did (brush teeth, hair, not much else) and that it was very freeing. She was also living in another country that year. Not sure I could do it, but maybe if I wouldn’t be seeing anyone I knew?
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I could do that way better if I didn’t know anyone. I’m pretty self-conscious though. Yesterday, I was trying on mother of the bride dresses and had to walk out in front of all the brides. That rattled me!
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I bet you looked great. I am pretty self conscious though too.
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Thanks! None of the other mothers said anything though. I’ve been kind of disappointed through all this wedding shopping that the other mothers don’t seem too friendly. It seems to be very much each to her own bride.
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