Have you ever looked in the mirror and actually seen yourself? Not just checking for spinach in your teeth or fixing your hair, but truly locking eyes with the soul staring back at you?
If the answer is “rarely” or “never,” you’re missing out on one of the most transformative tools in the manifestation shed. I’m Elise McDowell, and while I run a seven-figure business, my success didn’t start with a spreadsheet, it started in the bathroom mirror.
Today, I’m breaking down mirror work, what it is, why it feels so weird at first, and how it can radically shift your money, your business, and your relationships.
What Exactly is Mirror Work?
Popularized by the legendary Louise Hay, mirror work is the practice of looking deeply into your own eyes while repeating positive affirmations.
At its nucleus, it’s about healing your relationship with yourself. Most of us carry deep-seated stories of unworthiness that trickle into every area of our lives. Mirror work confronts those stories head-on. By witnessing yourself while you speak your truth, you bypass the logical brain and talk straight to your subconscious.
Why Does It Feel So Intense?
If the idea of staring at yourself makes you want to squirm, you aren’t alone. It’s powerful because it requires three things we often deny ourselves:
Being Present with Yourself: Choosing to actually be with yourself rather than just performing maintenance on your face.
Intentionally Seeing Yourself: Seeing your whole self – emotional, spiritual, and physical – as a complete being.
Deep Vulnerability: It’s raw. When you look at yourself and say “I love you,” there’s nowhere to hide. It brings up the “real” stuff: the tears, the joy, and the resistance.
How to Do It: A Step-by-Step Guide
You don’t need a fancy altar or an hour of free time. Five minutes is all it takes to change your life.
1. Get Close: Stand in front of a mirror where you can see your eyes clearly (the bathroom is usually best).
2. Settle In: Just look. Don’t speak yet. Focus on your pupils and acknowledge the human being in front of you.
3. Speak Your Truth: Begin your “I am” or “You are” affirmations. (e.g I am beautiful. I am intelligent. I am magnetic. I am lovable. I am safe. I am desired. I am chosen. I am enough).
Tip: Don’t just recite them like a robot. Allow yourself to accept them as truth.
4. Handle the Resistance: If a voice says, “That’s a lie,” gently shut it down. Tell yourself: “That’s an old story. This is what I’ve decided is true now.”
5. Seal the Deal: End with a “love you” or even a kiss to the mirror.
Here are some examples:
Business
Old story:
“I’m invisible.”
“I’m not interesting.”
“I’m not ready.”
Mirror work story:
“I am magnetic.”
“I am sought after.”
“I am valuable.”
“I am an authority.”
“I am expanding.”
Money
Old story:
“I’m bad with money.”
“I never have enough.”
“I am broke.”
Mirror work story:
“I am wealthy.”
“I am safe.”
“I am abundance.”
“I am overflowing.”
Relationships
Old story:
“I am unwanted.”
“I’m not chosen.”
“I’m not enough.”
Mirror work story:
“I am cherished.”
“I am desired.”
“I am respected.”
“I am the prize.”
“I am committed to.”
The Bottom Line: Consistency is Queen
You’ve likely been telling yourself negative stories for 20, 30, or 50 years. Five minutes once a month won’t cut it. Mirror work works because of compounding.
When you consistently show up for yourself, your self-concept elevates because you finally realize you are a literal daughter of the universe. You become clear, open, and – most importantly – unshakable.
Ready to try it? Go to a mirror right now, look yourself in the eye, and say: “I am worthy of everything I desire.”
