I washed my face and realised I hadn’t looked in a mirror properly all day

Dear Delyara, I had seen reflections, of course. In windows, in the microwave door, in the car mirror, in passing. But I hadn’t actually stopped and looked. When I finally did, late at night, I saw someone more tired than I had been willing to name all day. Not broken. Not dramatic. Just overused. There was something strangely moving about that moment. As if I had been walking past myself for hours and only finally arrived. I think that happens too often now. I keep managing my life while failing to really meet the person who is doing all the managing.