When You Look in the Mirror, Who’s Really Staring Back?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and imagined your younger self staring back at you? Not just your physical reflection—but the little version of you. The one with scraped knees and big dreams. The one who hadn’t yet learned to shrink herself to make others comfortable. The one who believed she could be anything.

When You Look in the Mirror, Who’s Really Staring Back?

Now shift your perspective.

Picture your older self—the woman you’re becoming—standing behind your reflection. She’s lived some years. She’s weathered storms you haven’t even imagined yet. And she carries a softness in her eyes that only wisdom can bring. Now here you are.
Standing between the two. The bridge between who you were and who you are becoming.

It’s a powerful visual—and a humbling one.

The Mirror as a Portal for Self-Reflection

So often we look in the mirror to critique or assess. What if instead we used it as a space to realign? Not just with who we are—but with who we’ve always been and who we’re on our way to becoming. This kind of mirror work isn’t about vanity. It’s about visibility—really seeing yourself in the fullness of your story.

A Conversation Between Selves

Here’s something to try: Next time you’re alone, stand in front of a mirror. Take a breath. And then ask:

What would my younger self think of me today?

Would she be proud? Surprised? Curious? Would she say, “Wow… look how far we’ve come”? Or maybe she’d gently nudge you and ask, “Why did we stop dancing? Why did we forget to dream?”

And then…
What would my older self say about today?

Would she thank you for taking care of your body?
Would she remind you not to sweat the small stuff?
Would she tell you to love a little harder, to trust yourself more deeply, and to stay grounded in what truly matters?

You Are the Bridge

You are not just the sum of your past experiences or future ambitions. You are the living, breathing connection between two powerful selves: the curious girl and the wise woman. Your role today isn’t to have it all figured out. It’s to listen to both voices. To honor both versions of you. And to keep moving forward—even if it’s just 1% at a time.

Your growth doesn’t need to be dramatic. It just needs to be consistent.

A Grounding Practice to Try

Here’s a ritual inspired by Chapter 2 of Get Grounded, where I talk about setting concrete, soul-aligned goals:

1. Stand in front of a mirror. Take a deep breath.
2. Picture your younger self. What does she need to hear from you today?
3. Picture your older self. What does she want you to focus on right now?
4. Say something out loud to yourself. Something encouraging, rooted, and real.

This is not about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming fully you—day by day, breath by breath.

You Are Becoming Her

So next time you pass a mirror, don’t just look for imperfections. Look for evidence—of growth, of grace, of grit. Smile at the little girl. Stand tall for the future woman. And honor the woman who’s doing the work, right here, right now. You are not behind. You are on time.

And you are becoming someone both of them would be proud of.