Mirror Echoes: Learning to See Ourselves Beyond the Surface

People were laughing, dancing, and devouring chips like it was the best night ever. Meanwhile, my sister and I sat quietly in a corner, consumed by things no one else seemed to notice—a tiny pimple, a stray hair. Looking back, it feels almost silly. But in that moment, those insecurities felt enormous.

We grew up hyper-aware of our appearance. It wasn’t always direct criticism—sometimes it was just a casual, “You look tired,” or a surprised, “When did you get all that hair on your face?” But those little comments stuck. They planted seeds of self-doubt that grew louder over time.

Eventually, we realized something important: the things that consumed us—my dark circles, her acne—were barely noticeable to others. And even when they were noticed, they didn’t define us.

We started to question why we were constantly comparing ourselves to others, especially in a world where social media filters reality. That flawless skin? Probably layers of concealer. Those striking eyes? Colored contacts. That perfect nose or body? Maybe surgery, maybe editing. And then came the real question:

What if we don’t need to hide? What if our flaws aren’t flaws at all? What if our face doesn’t define our worth?

That shift in perspective inspired us to create Mirror Echoes—a space where people can feel safe, seen, and celebrated just as they are. We wanted to help others, especially younger kids, understand that it’s okay to have off days. There’s no such thing as a perfect version of “enough.”

What matters most is how we treat ourselves—with kindness, patience, and the reminder that we are already worthy, exactly as we are.

We look forward to sharing Mirror Echoes with the Be Kind 5 community.

Stay tuned for our next event.

With Gratitude,

Tanisha and Arushi