DAILY DIARY

17 Aug
2012

Could You Go A Year Without Looking In The Mirror?

posted by ninahelleny in DAILY DIARY

While catching up on my daily news on Yahoo.com this afternoon, something caught my attention. The 20/20 video story of "The Mirror-Free Bride."

I rarely watch the video stories on Yahoo but today for some reason this was shouting at me to click play. Kjerstin Gruys did not look in a mirror for one entire year. I encourage you to watch the video. It's about eight and a half minutes.

I'm not writing this post because I plan to stop looking in mirrors as Kjerstin did but because of the feelings I felt while watching her story. Kjerstin is a blogger just like me and like so many of you. She openly shares her life, her challenges, and her experiences along the way. She is passionate about sharing her story and she is honest and authentic.

As I was watching the part of the story where she is reading comments from her blog, tears starting to fill my eyes.

"You need to lose about 20 pounds."

"You're ugly."

And then more as I was reading the comments under the video.

I have received hundreds of comments on my blog telling me how ugly I am, how stupid I am, how dumb my blog is, how much people hate me, and the list goes on. I handle it in my own way, but when I watched Kjerstin checking her blog and reading those awful comments. I couldn't help but tear up for her. I know how gut-wrenching it can feel to read such mean, hurtful things about yourself. I'm not struggling with self-image or my weight and I have no idea what it's like to have an eating disorder, but I do know what it's like to read the horrible things about yourself and your family on a platform that you have created as place to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others.

Kjerstin is a woman like so many other women in the world that struggle with body image, weight, and the never-ending pressure from the media on what they've defined "beautiful" to be. I'm guessing most of us are guilty of looking in the mirror and occasionally thinking, "I wish I was _______." I know I wish for smaller boobs, less behind, and better legs.

We can all learn a little something from this story.

1. Be less critical of yourself.

2. Be supportive of others. Help others in their times of need.

3. Be kind to yourself and to others! There is nothing pretty about being mean.
  • Julie Schaal

    What a great piece! I read your blog but don’t always comment. I don’t read blogs to learn more about people just like me. I read them to enjoy how others are enjoying life and to learn new things. This just goes to show that those negative comments don’t come from a healthy place.. Just like mom, our teachers and all those wise people out there always said, people are jealous and don’t feel good about themselves if they have to bring someone else down. Leaders inspire and empower! Thanks for sharing this. Blessings!

  • Kathlyn Wade

    I saw this video and it was eye opening! Thank you for your very true post!

  • LaurenFresh

    Thanks for sharing! I’ll never understand it either. If you don’t like what you see, why are you reading the blog? It’s crazy. I admire the fact that she was able to do it (at all!). Self-worth is something that so many of us struggle with when we are bombarded with images of people (women especially) who are seemingly perfect. Good for her!

  • Angela Parks

    For the life of me, I will never understand the need to take the time to insult, belittle or hurt someone intentionally. People who do that are miserable individuals, who are simply reflecting how they feel about themselves. I haven’t dealt with any hate mail (yet), but when I do, the delete button will be my best friend. Delete from my comments, my email and my brain….Great post Nina.

  • Heidi

    Yes! I saw this story Thursday evening; I was impressed with the self-control to resist a mirror for one whole year – and her wedding year, at that! But a great lesson/reminder, nonetheless. It’s incredible how snarky readers’ comments can be. I mean, if you don’t like the way someone looks/what they write/how much they share/whatever, then don’t read her blog.