For a long time, I looked into the mirror searching for evidence. Evidence that I was beautiful enough. Lovable enough. Desirable enough.
When people left, I blamed myself. When relationships ended, I questioned myself. When I felt unseen, I assumed there was something wrong with me. So I learned to study my reflection like a problem to solve.

Today I look at my reflection differently. I see the child who fought to be seen. I see the woman who carried more than anyone knew. I see the survivor who kept going when she wanted to quit.
And for the first time, I am learning that healing is remembering who I was before I learned to hate my reflection.