Microscoping Misery

Note to Self: Don’t Do It

Can you imagine how many women share with me what they don’t like about themselves? I’ve heard it all. “I look old,” “I look tired,” “I don’t look like I used to look.” Especially the women who say, “Look at this,” as they point to something on their faces that I don’t even see.

So, what is microscoping, you ask? It’s constantly looking up close, analyzing what is wrong, and picking yourself apart. My advice is simple; don’t do it.

Stay away from airplane bathroom mirrors. They are awful. I never look in magnifying mirrors because nothing good ever comes out of it (even though a lot of women say they can’t put on makeup without them).

There’s more danger around each corner if you look for it. How about looking down in the reflection of your iPad? Holy S***! Maybe a 66-year-old shouldn’t be on TikTok or social media, but I am. I just find good lighting and pop some blush on, and I’m good enough to go.

Why do we allow ourselves to feel bad? No idea. Just know, sometimes it’s lighting that makes you look horrible. Sometimes, it’s because you’re just plain exhausted, and no one looks good tired.

It’s the same thing when you see a photo taken of yourself and say “Do I really look like that?” Perhaps it’s side lighting. And forget high definition... definitely not created by a woman. It was, however, invented to be able to see linebackers sharp on the field.

If it happens to be a good picture, good lighting, that’s fantastic. Makes me feel nice, I’m happy. But if I see a picture in bad lighting, and every little thing on my face is not to my liking, I just stop looking and change to a positive mindset.

How I do it is by looking at myself in good lighting. I will put moisturizer on, which is a really big trick because many of us don’t look good when dehydrated.

Make sure you’re hydrated both on the outside with moisturizer and on the inside with enough water, bone broth, and herbal tea. Don’t be one of those women who doesn’t eat any fat. You need a little bit of healthy fat for your skin.

And most importantly, stop microscoping. Feel confident in your skin, without looking too close at it.