The monster in your mirror

” There’s a monster hiding in the mirror, when I lean in close she comes nearer. She looks deep in my eyes and sees the fear. “Hush baby Hush” she whispers, “you’re the only one who knows I’m here…” (Author unknown, online source creditted to pen-name “insanity kills” )

In each of us there are things dying to come out, wanting to scream at the world (or at us) about how insufficient we are in the greater scheme of things. I’m not talking about psychosis or  bipolar disorders here, I’m talking about that self-critical side that we can allow to become the monster in the mirror. These shape shifters take the form of thoughts, fears, and even phobias that want to tell us that we can’t do this or will never amount to that. We avoid the thoughts, but they lay there lurking, waiting for one moment where our spirit light of inspiration flickers so that they can pounce and drag us down into the depths of depression and self loathing.

You can’t run from yourself.. so how do you survive their onslaught?

1. Face Them – acknowledge your fear and your insecurity verbally, even out loud to yourself

2. Give them a face – put a name to your fear or your insecurity and consider where they may be coming from

3. Get real – understand your limitations and give yourself a break. If there are things you are overlooking, however, make a list (including deadlines) of when to get things done

4. Girl Power – women are really good at letting their monsters speak when they are in a safe environment, with good friends who understand and can be a bit more objective. Call a girl friend who can help you with a reality check

5. Laugh – nothing scares of darkness like a little light; after all, there’s no point living like it’s ‘Halloween on the inside’