Mirror Motivations
Materials Needed
Feeling
Bored
How to Do It
Stand in front of a mirror and look into your own eyes. Start by acknowledging how you feel, even if it's apathetic or low-energy. Then, speak out loud one small thing you want to achieve today, even if it’s just getting through the day. Repeat this process daily, gradually increasing the size of the goals as your motivation builds. Focus on the commitment you’re making to yourself as you look in the mirror.
Why It Works
This exercise helps build accountability and motivation by creating a daily ritual of setting intentions and committing to them in a visible, personal way.
Guided Practice
Stand or sit in front of a mirror and take a moment to meet your own gaze. Without judgment, observe your reflection and notice what thoughts or feelings come up for you. Consider what message you would like to share with yourself today.
Continue deepening your focus with a few more breaths. Notice your reflection — the shape of your eyes, the curve of your mouth, the subtle lines that define your expression. Feel the sensation of your feet firmly on the ground or your body supported by the chair. Sense the temperature of the room around you and how the light plays across your skin. As you continue to breathe, observe the emotions that arise as you look into your own eyes — perhaps a wave of self-acceptance, a flicker of doubt, or a sense of curiosity. Notice where these emotions are present in your body — perhaps a tightness in your chest, a warmth in your cheeks, or a lightness in your stomach.
Allow yourself to stay with these feelings, noticing how they shift and change as you maintain your gaze. Invite any familiar emotions or beliefs about yourself to surface. Perhaps a belief about self-worth, a memory of a time when you felt confident or unsure. Feel where these beliefs reside in your body — a tension in your shoulders or a softening in your breath. Stay with these sensations, allowing them to guide your awareness deeper into the present moment.
As you continue, focus on the emotions that arise with each breath. Allow the feelings to be fully present, whether they are comfortable or uncomfortable. Notice how they move through your body — a tightening or a release, a warming or a cooling sensation. See if there are any patterns to how you respond to your own reflection, perhaps a habitual gesture or a shift in posture.
When you feel ready, take a deep breath, gently closing your eyes for a moment. Sense the residual feelings of this practice — whether a sense of clarity, a renewed connection with yourself, or something else entirely. Open your eyes slowly, carrying with you any insights or feelings that have emerged, allowing them to inform how you move through your day with a greater sense of self-awareness.