Story about a person talking to its own reflection

As Marie looked into the mirror, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. She had always been self-conscious about her appearance, but today it felt like her insecurities were taking over. She stood there in her pajamas, her hair a mess and her face still swollen from sleep, wondering how anyone could ever find her attractive.

But then something strange happened. As she looked at herself, she felt like she was seeing herself for the first time. She noticed the way her hair fell across her forehead, the curve of her lips, and the way her eyes sparkled in the light. And as she took all of this in, she suddenly heard a voice speaking back to her.

"Hello there," the voice said. It sounded just like Marie's own voice, but there was something eerie and otherworldly about it. Marie jumped back, startled, and stared at her reflection in shock.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

"I'm you," the voice replied.

Marie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was she going crazy? Had she finally snapped from all the stress and anxiety of her life? She rubbed her eyes, but when she looked back in the mirror, the voice was still there.

"Don't be afraid," the voice said. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to help you."

Marie's heart was racing, but something about the voice was comforting. It was like a long-lost friend had come to visit her.

"What do you mean, help me?" Marie asked.

"I mean that you've been holding yourself back for far too long," the voice replied. "You're so focused on your flaws and imperfections that you're not allowing yourself to see the beauty and potential that's inside of you."

Marie felt a lump form in her throat. She knew that the voice was right. She had spent so much of her life comparing herself to others and trying to fit into a mold that she thought was expected of her. She had never allowed herself to fully embrace who she was.

"But how do I change that?" she asked.

"By seeing yourself as I see you," the voice said. "By acknowledging your strengths and your talents. By believing in yourself and your ability to achieve your dreams."

Marie felt a warmth spread through her body. It was like the voice was speaking directly to her soul.

"I want to do that," she said. "I want to see myself in a new light."

"Then let's start now," the voice replied. "Tell me, what do you love about yourself?"

Marie thought for a moment. It was a question she had never really asked herself before.

"I love that I'm empathetic," she said finally. "I love that I can make people feel comfortable and heard."

"Good," the voice said. "Now tell me something else."

Marie continued to list off her positive traits, slowly building a new image of herself in her mind. As she did, she felt a sense of excitement and possibility that she hadn't felt in years.

When they were finished, the voice spoke again.

"I hope you can see now that you are so much more than your appearance," it said. "You are a complex and wonderful human being with so much to offer the world. Don't let anyone, especially yourself, convince you otherwise."

Marie nodded, feeling grateful and empowered. She knew that it wouldn't be easy to change her negative self-talk habits, but she also knew that she had a powerful ally on her side.

"Thank you," she said to her reflection.

"Thank yourself," the voice replied. "You're the one who has the power to change your own narrative."

And with that, the voice faded away, leaving Marie standing alone