All Psyched Up: Look in the mirror

By Linda Hancock on January 24, 2026.

One day I was walking from my condo, underground to the Village Centre. There was a man behind me, and I noticed that no matter what my speed, he stayed behind me.

When I arrived at the elevator, he passed me and continued down the hallway. Suddenly, I felt a breeze and was horrified when I reached back to discover that my dress had been tucked into my panties leaving my backside inappropriately exposed.

This catastrophe could have easily been prevented if I had just looked in a mirror before leaving my condo. (Need I tell you that subsequently I purchased a full-length mirror for inside my door?)

I can chuckle about this now but there are times in life when not looking in the mirror can bring more disastrous results.

Many people refuse to look at themselves and instead think of external circumstances as the cause or solution to their problems. Are you an individual who ignores your personal responsibility and actions instead turning to:

1. Blaming everything on the government, economy or medical system.

2. Thinking that your partner, children, neighbours or friends are the ones who need to smarten up.

3. Believing that it is just your lot in life to be poor and miserable.

4. Consuming sugar, caffeine, alcohol or drugs to numb the pain and give temporary relief.

5. Spending money to buy things you don’t need, with money you don’t have to impress people you don’t like.

6. Low mood or anger that ruins the atmosphere for everyone around you.

7. Pretending everything is “OK” even when you know it isn’t.

As we enter a new year, perhaps it is time to take an honest look in the mirror to determine what we need to do to make or own life better. Do you need to:

1. Follow the advice of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar and “have a checkup from the neck-up for hardening of the attitudes”.

2. Learn some skills to get a better job or improve your environment.

3. Find some positive friends who will inspire and encourage you.

4. Improve your health and appearance with nutrition, exercise and grooming techniques.

5. Develop hobbies where you can invest your time and effort while realizing results of which you can be proud.

6. Prepare a legacy for those who come behind.

7. Get honest enough with yourself to recognize your flaws and develop goals to overcome them.

One more thing. I once heard a speaker who suggested that every morning we should look into the mirror, wink and say, “I love you!” Try it. You won’t be able to do this without having a chuckle! And won’t that be a very simple way to start the day on a good note?

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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