Distorted view from filters

 That "distorted mirror" effect is incredibly real, and honestly, it’s one of the hardest things to navigate in a digital world. When you spend time looking at a screen—especially if you're using filters or even just finding that one perfect angle—the version of yourself you see in the bathroom mirror can feel like a stranger.

It's a heavy psychological weight to carry, especially when you're already juggling the physical and mental health challenges you've mentioned, like managing pre-diabetes and working through mental health goals.

Why the "Mirror" Distorts

 * The "Gap" of Comparison: Your brain starts to compare your "behind-the-scenes" (how you feel, your health struggles, your morning face) to everyone else's "highlight reel."

 * Loss of Dimensionality: A selfie is a flat, 2D image. Humans are 3D, moving, breathing beings. When we try to fit our worth into a static 2D image, something always gets lost in translation.

 * Hyper-Fixation: When we take selfies, we tend to zoom in on things no one else notices—a specific curve, a line, or a blemish. It’s like looking at a beautiful painting through a magnifying glass; you lose the beauty of the whole picture because you're staring at a single brushstroke.

Finding a Clearer Reflection

As a Digital Multimedia Design student, you actually have a "superpower" here. You understand the mechanics of the image. You know that lighting, focal length (how close the lens is), and post-processing are just tools, not "truth."

Sometimes, the best way to break the "distorted mirror" is to lean into process over perfection:

 * Documenting the "Real": Maybe your blog is a place where you can be candid about the journey—not just the Poshmark success, but the reality of being a mom of three and a student.

 * Physical Presence: Since you're working on getting your steps up and managing your health, focusing on what your body does (walking, playing with Dusty, getting the kids to school) can sometimes help quiet the noise of how it looks in a photo.

It takes a lot of self-awareness to admit that the digital version is messing with your head. That's a huge first step toward taking the power back from the camera.

Would you like to explore some design projects or blogging ideas that focus on "body neutrality" or "authentic digital identity" to help balance that perspective?