But I’ve recently discovered something even scarier than all of those combined: the magnifying mirror.
I’ve always been content with my regular bathroom mirror. It gives me just the right amount of honesty. It lets me know if my hair is brushed, if my makeup is somewhat even, and (most importantly) if I’ve avoided the dreaded lipstick-on-the-teeth situation. That’s really all I need to know before heading out the door.
But the other day, for reasons I still can’t explain or remember, I pulled out the magnifying mirror. Big mistake. Huge. Suddenly, every wrinkle…every fine line…and every stray eyebrow hair I didn’t even know existed jumped out like a Halloween monster. I was staring at my own face in high-definition horror.
And here’s the kicker: I know I have recently rolled into my 60s, and I’ve made peace with the idea that life leaves its marks on us. But there’s something about seeing those marks magnified ten times over that just doesn’t feel necessary. So, I’ve made a new rule: nobody needs to get any closer to me than my bathroom mirror allows. That’s close enough—for your protection and for mine.
Of course, the truth is, those little lines mean I’ve laughed a lot, squinted at countless sunsets, and lived long enough to earn every single one. And maybe that’s the real lesson tucked inside the scare—sometimes we don’t need a magnifying glass to remind us of who we are.
Because some things should stay reserved for October scares…not for my morning routine. So if you walk up to talk to me and I take a step back, now you’ll know why!
