I remember the day I bought my magnifying mirror back in 2016. I didn’t think much of it then. It was just a small purchase, something I needed to apply makeup, tweeze stray hairs, and address all the other little things we tend to do in front of a mirror. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that this small act would lead to something much bigger: helping me embrace aging.

You already know what a magnifying mirrors does. It showed me everything, every detail of my face up close; the fine lines creeping in, the texture of my skin slowly shifting, the occasional stray gray hair that seemed to pop up overnight. At first, it was jarring. I mean, how often do we really look at ourselves that closely? And when we do, how often do we like what we see?

But something fascinating happened as I continued using the mirror. The more I looked, the more I accepted what I saw. The subtle signs of change on my face became less of a surprise and more of a reminder that aging is inevitable, and I cannot run away from what’s coming. Well, I could, but I don’t want to, and It’ll catch up with me even if I ran.

The entire experience felt as if I was rewiring my brain. The magnifying mirror, allowed me to confront aging in a way I hadn’t before. But instead of feeling resistance or frustration, I started to feel… peace. My reflection wasn’t something to fight against or fix; it was something to cherish. Slowly, and I mean slowly, and surely, I began to feel comfortable and see beauty in the changes.

Over time, I found myself enjoying these little moments with my magnifying mirror. It then became a morning ritual, a way to check in with myself. And with each glance, I learned to appreciate what I saw. My reflection wasn’t just a face in the mirror—it was a record of my life, and I had come to love the story it was telling.

Now, when I look into that magnifying mirror, I no longer brace myself for the changes that are creeping in. Instead, I see them for what they are: gentle reminders that I am here, evolving and becoming more of what I’m supposed to become (whatever that is) with each passing year.

So if you find yourself staring at your own reflection and feeling a bit mortified, take a moment and a breath. Keep staring. Infact, designate some time to stare every day with some affirming words. Eventually, you will embrace the changes and shifts you see in your reflection. The changes and shifts will continue. Because aging, as I’ve come to realize, is not about loss—it’s about continuing and becoming until you are no more.