Mirror Mantras
A Mirror Mantra is a positive slogan about ageing or being an older person. The Mantra is generally written on a small card and placed on a bathroom mirror. This activity was developed for participants of the #OldisBeautiful project. The aim of Mirror Mantras is to help combat internalised ageism - or the belief we are less beautiful, worthy, smart, valuable, interesting etc as we age. These beliefs that we are 'less' can have devastating impacts on health, wellbeing and life expectancy (read more about the project rationale below).
A Mirror Mantra is a reminder that what makes us beautiful is who we are - rather than what we look like in the mirror. The Mirror Mantra project is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd, a charity combating ageism and building respect for older people.
A Mirror Mantra is a reminder that what makes us beautiful is who we are - rather than what we look like in the mirror. The Mirror Mantra project is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd, a charity combating ageism and building respect for older people.
How to make a Mirror Mantra
Follow these steps to participate:
- write down a few words about your value as a person - something that on your best day you would believe
- put the words somewhere you can see them everyday, like on a bathroom mirror, to remind yourself that your value is who you are as a person, not what you look like in the mirror
- reflect on the words every day for 66 days (thats how long it takes to create a new habit) or longer.
Mantra Gallery
coming soon
Rationale
Internalised ageism is when we start to believe the ageist views of the world we live in. It can be devastating to our health, wellbeing and life expectancy. For example, people who have more positive views of their ageing can increase their life expectancy by 7.5 years.
One of the drivers of internalised ageism is the pervasive message that our value is determined by our physical beauty and youthfulness. The older we get, the more likely we are to be devalued by others - and the more likely we are to devalue ourselves. This is internalised ageism.
The #OldisBeautiful project is broadening the definition of what beautiful means - to include people of all ages, shapes, sizes, skin colours, sexualities, genders and abilities. We are widening the focus beyond our physical appearance. Participants of the #OldisBeautiful project consistently tell us that our value is not measured by our age or looks - it is determined by who we are as a person.
In essence, Mirror Mantras is about protecting ourselves from internalised ageism by learning to value ourselves based on who we are, not what we look like. Mirror Mantras are messages that remind us of our value in an ageist world.
One of the drivers of internalised ageism is the pervasive message that our value is determined by our physical beauty and youthfulness. The older we get, the more likely we are to be devalued by others - and the more likely we are to devalue ourselves. This is internalised ageism.
The #OldisBeautiful project is broadening the definition of what beautiful means - to include people of all ages, shapes, sizes, skin colours, sexualities, genders and abilities. We are widening the focus beyond our physical appearance. Participants of the #OldisBeautiful project consistently tell us that our value is not measured by our age or looks - it is determined by who we are as a person.
In essence, Mirror Mantras is about protecting ourselves from internalised ageism by learning to value ourselves based on who we are, not what we look like. Mirror Mantras are messages that remind us of our value in an ageist world.
Dedication
The Mirror Mantra activity was developed in partnership with Tony Robertson, a Civic Journalist and Community Jester that participated in the #OldisBeautiful project in Brisbane, cohosted by ADA Australia. Tony approached us after the workshop - looking for ways to continue conversations about ageism. This is one of his legacies.
Contact us
If you would like more information about the project, please contact us using the details provided at the bottom of the page.
