Student goes year without looking in the mirror

UCLA sociology student Kjerstin Gruys, 28, won't check herself in a mirror for a full year that includes her wedding. She won't even watch this video. Here's why. ucla.in/mQaq3v

[@itzspoons827]

It’s been 2 months for me. Idc what people say, not looking in the mirror makes me happy and more confidant

[@screamingsoda8987]

i haven't properly looked in the mirror for two years. teaches you to find yourself truthfully instead of living up an image that you've made of yourself.

[@theresafloresca5343]

Screaming soda honestly u cant live without a mirror cause u need to look at yourself huhu 😓😭😂

[@optimusprime1185]

what? how? there are mirrors everywhere

[@nah_.]

stitchesintobbh she said properly look

[@beautifull3781]

Amen girl .. respect

[@idrk1507]

optimus prime You can avoid looking at them. Anywyad she said properly

[@jocap8705]

i did this for 2 days, and accidentally glimpsed at myself and i found myself extremely more attractive than i did before... it was honestly crazy

[@BUTTER-oc5gs]

Yup bdd makes you think you’re ugly when you look at yourself so much

[@priyankadey2620]

Gosh I feel that too man I look good when at first and second glance but the more I look at myself my face becomes ugly I am constantly trying to not look much but then again after some time I keep looking at myself its so hard to avoid mirrors

[@powpaow]

would totally love tryin this... BUT Im so afraid that after one year, you look at yourself and doesn't like what you see anymore, or that you think you look older because you haven't followed your face through the year

[@efini_fc4276]

So, could you do it? Hmm...wondering that maybe, yes, this is a great exercise (exorcise, maybe??!) for a person's spirit who is critical of themselves. But that's not to say that everyone hits the same levels of insecurity...so maybe it's just not for everyone. I'm not saying you're weak or anything if you couldn't do it, just might not make sense to do it for YOUR-self because you're already secure enough possibly. If you replied "yes" to that in full confidence, then just carry on:)

[@idarasmussen3137]

you could still do skincare and so tho... So your skin shouldnt have changed that much

[@jocap8705]

i tried this and found that.... it subconsciously raises your vibration... i accidentally looked at a picture of myself on my phone and honestly didn’t look at that picture as ‘me’ or ‘i’ or ‘my self’... it was sort of a separation between my soul and body that i needed. strangely as soon as i looked back into the mirror i also found my appearance extremely more attractive...

[@thefantasticnerd6076]

I did this for a week and when I looked In the mirror I said out loud “wow I look really good” which I used to think the opposite... I guess I’ve learned to appreciate my face

[@dawsoncarpenter2244]

@TheFantasticNerd girl you do look good

[@kimberlyhanson6152]

I'm just wondering how she did her makeup

[@123Zanna123]

You mean for this interview? Probably a makeup artist. But it is very possible to put on makeup without mirror. Blind people do it all the time. But I don't think she wears makeup on a regulare basis :)

[@Tsjoosie]

Haha I was thinking the same!

[@ellieskai6142]

every day I spend at least an hour staring at my reflection and hating what I see, today I ripped down my mirror and I’m going to try to not look for a year

[@yelapaangel]

Good News! There is actually a non-reversed 3-D True Mirror where you can see yourself correctly like other people see you! Our mirror image is reversed, only you see yourself this way! I invite you to watch my "The True Mirror explained..." videos and get your own to change your life forever! Then you can give yourself correct feedback about your appearance but most importantly remember we are not an image! So, look correctly from left to right and vice versa into your own eyes in the True Mirror like we 'communicate' when we look into other people's eyes. And not this distorted backwards image in a 'normal' mirror where you look from right eye to right eye, left to left eye. You can order your own True Mirror with my $50 off coupon code YAIAM55 (normal price starts @ $200) and read more about the True Mirror on John Walter's (creator of the True Mirror) website "The Story of True Mirrors - A Radical New Way to View Oneself" . www.truemirror.com/truemirrorstory/ You will never want to look into the 'fake' normal mirror! The True Mirror is not critical if it is, then ask yourself "Who is this "I" that has a judgement about what "I" look like? Are there 2 of you? This 'critical voice in your head' your are listening to all the time, is obviously not your friend! ;-) Here is one of my "The True Mirror explained, Part 1b and the teachings of Eckhart Tolle" videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3y0lGamdtyag5I Timeless Love Angelika Yelapaangel True Mirror Representative PS: See my profile pic here my cat Josefina looking with me into the True Mirror (12x12 cabinet)

[@catlinbn]

How did it work out?

[@clipx8721]

Hey how r u now

[@SoCalBoy2010]

She was my TA for two quarters last year at UCLA. She's very intellectual and very inspiring when it comes to academia and my role as scholar at UCLA. I love that she is a feminist because she is very straightforward, strongly opinionated, and implacable while defending her point of view. She can certainly come across as a total bitch but that's part of what makes her so interesting, challenging, and a dedicated student.

[@vaidehi_n]

Wow

[@Runner88]

I actually think this is pretty amazing. If I had enough will power as her I would definitely try this out.

[@theresafloresca5343]

zacharydupuis you're a man hehe no problem🙂😂

[@dawsoncarpenter2244]

You do have enough power stop procrastinating and just do it

[@queenbee5334]

I am going to stop looking in mirror too from now on

[@kwiteash7481]

I looked up this video specifically to see if this was true. I’m trying to distort my current image of myself to make this happen. One thing to make this work better would be avoiding mirrors.

[@berry1057]

I want to do this because our face and bodies are just an outer shell / a vessel for our lives. Once we focus on our shell more than what we really are it holds us back from ever enjoying this short existence.

[@kjphantom3445]

Facts

[@asmrindustries5431]

I obsess over my very mild acne

[@silviaonea8393]

same

[@mahaliagresham3103]

Me too

[@kollisiondagod9305]

Avoid mirrors even camers it has a powerful affect on confidence and physical looks for some reason

[@sagebellic5466]

Sounds like body dysphoria this experiment shall be useful for you

[@surakshashetty5343]

Same same same

[@jetsonwhite888]

Refreshingly well spoken American!

[@theweirdestmf]

it’s literally the best thing to do

[@carpediemtoday]

well done. This is really insightful and honest. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@efini_fc4276]

I've gone a good part of the day before. It's a really different consciousness. I didn't cover mirrors up but I would do my best not to look. At least not look at my own face. Just something I had thought about and wanted to try. Before there were smartphones telling us what to look like, mirrors have created more self doubt across the world probably still, if not more than ever when paired with a smartphone. Why do people judge how we look? Because they feel confidence in that they way that they look fits the status quo and are "safe" from being laughed at. You become the outsider to them because of what they saw in their mirror showed them that they could leave the house and be accepted outside in the world, but because of this, three outcomes are possible, and only three. You can worry about others opinions and use mirrors to make "corrections" for a maximum of 24 hours/day, or you can focus every second (with full success, all day long..) on other things. The third reaction is to have no reaction. I believe that there's a grey area to still fall in, where you can recognize and know a mirror when you see one, but it's that you wouldn't have any desire to go to it. Because..it would just be a mirror in the room. Nothing to look at, folks..move along -kind of thing. Hope this video gets more attention! Thanks!

[@violetselene244]

You said, there's three options. What's the 2nd one or did I miss it?

[@mayjawad]

All you need is to look into your fiance's eyes, and you'll find everything there. :) Congrats on your research and upcoming wedding.

[@luuhsetty8074]

This is my 2nd year doing this . If I have to I just get a glimpse to fix anything . And if I do I don’t look at myself just around myself

[@beatmaker194]

This is absolutely true. There is always pressure in ourselves of who we are actually are and who we think we should look like😊😊😊😊

[@indigobeauty1]

What's up with the reflection of her in this video. If she's doing an experiment on not looking in the mirror, why have a mirror type reflection in this video?! Pretty rude. 😒😞

[@mickistyle]

What "mirror type reflection"? it's just a camera with another angle... I don't see anything rude in this video. I think it's cool they posted this video... And, not to be offensive but I quickly looked at your profile, you post videos that are really focused on external beauty... so I don't see why you're criticizing them, while they push people to interest in going beyond shallowness...

[@vagabaassassina3461]

@@mickistyle Thanks for this comment

[@krio99]

I was wondering if anyone has done this and wow someone has actually done this

[@mrjoeshmo8]

Wouldn't polarized sunglasses help to not see your reflection in shop windows?

[@katrinamenzies9398]

I haven’t looked at myself for two years

[@heidimarchant9284]

I was just reading an article on objectification theory and it was saying that women's positive self-concept broadly hinges on how they think they look and men's on their physical capabilities. it really chimed with me - once i was camping and didn't have a chance to look in the mirror for days and how i felt about my body became how my body felt, not looked (it felt good to be in, i felt strong and healthy, therefore i thought of myself as stronger and more attractive and generally better) - close to how men evaluate their body. i think i will chuck my mirror...

[@princessstomper]

We have only one small mirror in our house, but I keep accidentally catching my reflection in the window. The most impactful thing for my self esteem was to stop buying fashion magazines.

[@sm.9599]

I have severe BDD and had a nervous breakdown after trying mewing for a few weeks and seeing my appearance change. I just removed the mirror out of my room and will only put on makeup in my br mirror wi TJ minimal lighting. I have to step away from anything that makes me consumed with my image bc it’s tearing my life apart

[@tjfreak]

I have been doing this for years,I don't look in a mirror to groom,no finish mirror @ the barber,without my glasses I can't see while hair is being cut even through the blurriness I stare @ the floor. RV mirror in car is just where it's useful in rear vision but I can't see myself.If I even catch a fraction of a second of a glimpse in a window or a reflection,I look away.Anywhere there are mirrors in the house,I know their location & avoid looking @ them.My avoidance started with low esteem /poor self image & a real disconnect between how I feel I look & how I really look.The only time I use a mirror is once a week shaving but no eye contact ever,it's possible.

[@Phantom-ez4zv]

I have some questions can we talk on fb or something, did your self esteem improve after a while of avoidance?

[@catlinbn]

There is a difference between feeling and how you look. It’s weird.

[@bads5780]

Did it help you with your issues?

[@niabekrazy6905]

Hey I live in St. Louis! I looked this up just to see if people actually did this after seeing a comment about it. I kinda love the idea because I know I look at myself many times a day. My only concern is that I’d probably forget what I look like😂 When I didn’t look at myself a lot as a kid the face that I imagined I had and the one I actually had were different.

[@KaMilaKOOnikosikokosvn]

Genius absolute genius

[@nakedjuiceboxwtf1251]

THats not being genius, shes only being borderline

[@lisasays6174]

I don't understand why ones body is being ignored rather than other bodies. Stated: the body around her negatively impact her, so then why aren't others body's (or all) not to be seen? A traumatic event caused phobic reaction to my reflection and I can say honestly that self ignoring is maladaptive where tolerating ones self while tolerating difference would be adaptive.

[@Hero-hc2um]

I'm tired of looking at myself in the mirror. I always see a short, chubby, zit-face man.

[@chamanvao9194]

What you might see is a short chubby zit face man but what other people see is just you. Not your height, zits or weight

[@harshita2512]

Beauty industry flourished because of the person who invented mirror and now social media, Obviously mirror is useful, it's us who chose to use it that way, mirror on the wall, insecurities, comparisons inside, sometimes really somethings feel absurdly larger than life if you think deep.

[@tdf4142]

Ok this is my one week challenge

[@vitorojasavila]

I almost did not looked in the mirror one year and people told me that I looked like I live on the streets lol ( I have long messy hair)

[@kingdommarriage480]

Wow

[@deannalynnsorenson8505]

I’m wondering how she applies makeup without looking in a mirror. Honestly that’s what I was thinking through the whole video!

[@LaymensLament]

I don't see how that project is relevant apart from changing her own personal stance. Not that I disagree with your values, I share them, but this is kinda boring. Where's the insight?

[@sweetcupcake2741]

Personally don’t do it cause I hate myself

[@yelapaangel]

Good News! There is actually a non-reversed 3-D True Mirror where you can see yourself correctly like other people see you! Our mirror image is reversed, only you see yourself this way! I invite you to watch my "The True Mirror explained..." videos and get your own to change your life forever! And the True Mirror is not critical if it is, ask yourself "Who is this "I" that "hate myself" Are there 2 of you? Who is this "I" that hates what self? ;-) This 'critical voice in your head' your are listening to all the time, is obviously not your friend! ;-) I recommend to read "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle especially his Introduction how he had his awakening when he was depressed and almost wanted to commit suicide when he thought: "I cannot live with myself any longer" and then stopped and wondered "who is this "I" that "I" cannot live with any longer? Are there 2 of me?" The main problem for almost everyone is that everyone is identified with their non-existing mirror image as self. As a separate person 'in the mirror', a separate body. With the True Mirror you can disidentify from any image you have about yourself and realize that you are the One who is looking out of your eyes! There is no separate world out here, there is no objective world 'out here'. Every moment your consciousness (your thoughts and beliefs) create the world you inhabit! So with the True Mirror you can give yourself correct feedback about your appearance but most importantly remember we are not an image! So, look correctly from left to right and vice versa into your own eyes in the True Mirror like we 'communicate' when we look into other people's eyes. And not this distorted backwards image in a 'normal' mirror where you look from right eye to right eye, left to left eye. You can order your own True Mirror with my $50 off coupon code YAIAM55 (normal price starts @ $200) and read more about the True Mirror on John Walter's (creator of the True Mirror) website "The Story of True Mirrors - A Radical New Way to View Oneself" . www.truemirror.com/truemirrorstory/ You will never want to look into the 'fake' normal mirror! Here is one of my "The True Mirror explained, Part 1b and the teachings of Eckhart Tolle" videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3y0lGamdtyag5I Timeless Love Angelika Yelapaangel True Mirror Representative PS: See my profile pic here my cat Josefina looking with me into the True Mirror (12x12 cabinet)

[@Phantom-ez4zv]

Read her journey in her blog, hardly got out with 1 good advice, little to no substance to her writting.

[@goodman5836]

😂😂

[@Phantom-ez4zv]

Good Man smiles ? thanks i guess

[@Lovethyneighbor35]

I disagree with this video because I don’t think that it is looking in the mirror that causes an unhealthy self image. It is looking at photos of other women and magazines and social media of other women and comparing yourselves. It is the thought of what somebody else thinks and drowning out the thoughts of your own self image that causes an unhealthy thought process about what you think about yourself therefore, I am going to do a study that is direct opposite, and that is to only look at myself in the mirror and only give myself the self affirmation of what I think is beautiful and not look at social media, and not look at magazines of other women and not listen to what other people think is beautiful from music to anyone else’s opinions

[@TheZombo66]

Im looking at my face but not my body I’m on day three :p

[@user-ff7in2nt8g]

#Lipstick

[@MexieMex]

We need more women in STEM fields... I know how to fix that, I'll not use a mirror for a year LOL

[@swanelle]

are y'all serious? who cares about looks. only gold diggers and disgusting people do. your personality is what matters most. at least believe in SOMETHING about yourself, please.

[@R0stos]

rich world problems...

[@violetselene244]

What's wrong with trying to be less vain? If everyone thought the way she does, we'd have healthier minded societies. Not everything is about struggling to survive, that's not the only problem in the world and just because shes not talking about struggling to eat or be housed doesn't mean her mission isn't valid or wouldn't help make the world a better place.

[@lyve55]

I'm slightly stunned that a Ph.D. sociology candidate would fail to understand the unavoidable importance of beauty in society. Like it or not.....or should I say, look at it or not.....it's not going anywhere.

[@Alexandriaaa888]

girl, be quiet.

[@theresafloresca5343]

i like looking in a mirror honestly 😝😂

[@nakedjuiceboxwtf1251]

cuz ur narciscist as hell

[@bads5780]

I wish I'd feel the same way

[@bads5780]

@@nakedjuiceboxwtf1251 no, loving yourself isn't narcissistic

[@dawsoncarpenter2244]

@Naked juicebox WTF girly stop projecting on other rpeople just because you’re insucure

[@arinaz318]

Life lesson: if you’re “banning” something out of your life, like mirrors, meat, or particular clothes, it better be something you truly believe in cause gurl you’re missing out 😽

[@mannysillymoon3199]

Fake

[@vasujagtap8140]

13 jan. 2023

[@tonio5859]

how’s it going

[@trueshanu]

Hey you are nearing your goal it seems

[@DaybeforeDonkeySnap]

Lol it's on my birthday.

[@tamaramachiele7084]

Im glad she at least looked at her wedding dress! Otherwise when she looks at photos down the road of the wedding, she might be disappointed.

[@queenvickyv]

Just to add, I think this is very 'gimicky' she wants fame... ironically a huge mirror !

[@sethflix]

Let's see... I could go on a diet and get truly healthy by doing regular exercise, which would lead me to feel better about myself and my own self image.... Or I could just stop looking in mirrors and just say "f*ck it," and not care about how I look at all or how others see me. Hmmmm. Me, I'd choose diet and exercise. This one though, she watched too many Dove Beauty Bar commercials and just decided diet and exercise is too hard and she;'d rather not be all that healthy. So she decides to stop looking at herself in mirrors and other reflective surfaces and just stops caring about what she looks like to others. This is insane.

[@dawsoncarpenter2244]

That’s what I’m doing: I’m working out, changing my diet, taking good care of my skin and not looking in the mirror because I’m gonna change and in a couple of months I’ll look again and see how much I’ve changed.

[@queenvickyv]

I don't think this research is valid. I think people look in mirrors for psychological reasons - which has nothing to do with beauty or fashion, for this reason I think this research is completely flawed, quite shockingly so. I think people look in mirrors, sometimes to validate their existence. I think this is a huge, huge, part of the reason people look in mirrors.. I find this research a load of crap to be quite honest.

[@ClaireA_LeonB]

Queen Vickyv I agree