The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum

I think it depends on HOW you are looking at yourself (or seeing yourself). I really don't think looking at ones self in the mirror in the act itself is considered being vain. What perhaps makes it vain is to....think you are the most beautiful in the entire world/universe/existence. Vanity; I think, can lead to arrogance, and being conceded and such but I don't see the harm in looking at yourself in the mirror, to take notice of ones self, but that's my thoughts :whis:

I agree it is more due to obsession or to the exclusion of other, more important things.  Or being so concerned with how you look/how other perceive you that it is detrimental to others.

A classic example, to me, would be the character of Blanche Devereaux from the tv show the Golden Girls.  Most of her problems revolve around how she looks (she's getting older, so she doesn't look as good as in her youth).  She often insults others in an effort to make herself appear more attractive.  She would sulk in her bedroom for days over issues like hitting menopause or looking older than her sorority sisters from college because they had face lifts and she did not (this caused her to leave the party early...so she missed out on her reunion because she wasn't the prettiest one there).  Everything in her life revolved around being popular and how good she looked.  She often neglected the feelings and needs of her friends due to her self-centeredness and need to be the most beautiful woman in Miami.

Just checking in the mirror is not vanity, to me.  Stopping nearly every time you pass your reflection to admire yourself would be.