Why the Mirror is Your Best (and Worst) Audience

The mirror is brutally honest. It reflects every awkward pause, every weird facial expression, and every time you unconsciously do that thing with your hands (you know the one). But that’s exactly why it’s so powerful. If you can confidently speak to yourself—your most intimidating critic—then a room full of strangers is nothing.

Here’s how it helps:

1. It Builds Self-Awareness You’ll notice things you wouldn’t pick up otherwise—like that nervous swaying, the tendency to avoid eye contact, or the way you start every sentence with “soooo.” (Yep, guilty as charged.)

2. It Strengthens Your Delivery Seeing your own face react in real-time helps you refine your expressions, improve your pacing, and make sure your energy doesn’t flatline halfway through.

3. It Reduces Fear The more you practice, the more familiar the words become. You’ll start to feel less like you’re about to trip over them and more like they naturally belong to you.

How to Do It (Without Feeling Completely Ridiculous)

1. Start Small

Just say your opening lines. No pressure, no expectations—just get the words out. Then go back, tweak them, and try again.

2. Play with Expressions & Gestures

Want to emphasize a key point? Use your hands. Want to sound more engaging? Experiment with your facial expressions. The mirror will show you what works and what makes you look like you’re auditioning for a soap opera.

3. Record Yourself

Once you’re comfortable in the mirror, take it up a notch—record a quick video on your phone. It’s like leveling up your self-awareness (and yes, it will feel weird, but it’s worth it!).

4. Pretend You’re Talking to a Friend

If the mirror version of yourself is too intimidating, imagine you’re chatting with a close friend. This helps keep your tone natural and relaxed.

My MC Moment: From “Oh No” to “I’ve Got This”

Back to that wedding. Practicing in the mirror turned my nerves into something manageable. I saw where I needed more pauses, where I should slow down, and when I should just smile and own the moment. And you know what? When the day came, I didn’t die of embarrassment. I actually had fun.

So if you’ve got a big presentation, a workshop, a video to record, or—heaven help you—a wedding to MC, grab a mirror and give it a shot. Your future, more confident self will thank you.

Need Some Extra Help?

If you want to take your public speaking skills to the next level, I can help! Whether it’s preparing for a big presentation, refining your facilitation skills, or building confidence for events and video creation, let’s chat. Reach out, and let’s turn those nerves into unstoppable confidence!