You’ve seen it in the movies. A character wakes up, splashes water on their face, and there it is—a cryptic message scrawled in red lipstick across the glass. It’s a trope because it works. Writing on the mirror is one of those weirdly intimate, low-tech ways we communicate with ourselves and the people we live with. It’s hard to ignore a message when it’s hovering right over your own reflection.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a psychological trip.
Think about the last time you left a note on the counter. It probably got buried under a mail stack or a sourdough starter. But writing on the mirror? That’s different. It’s high-impact. It forces a confrontation between your current self and whatever message you—or someone else—left behind. Whether it’s a frantic reminder to buy milk or a "you've got this" before a big interview, the medium changes the message.
The Psychology of the Bathroom Mirror Note
Why does this even work?
Psychologists often talk about "habit stacking," a term popularized by James Clear in Atomic Habits. The idea is simple: you anchor a new behavior to an old one. Since most of us brush our teeth or wash our face at the same vanity every single morning, the mirror becomes the perfect "trigger" point. When you see a note there, your brain doesn't have to work hard to find it. It's just... there.
There’s also something to be said for the "Self-Reference Effect." Research suggests we remember information better when it’s related to ourselves. By seeing a message physically superimposed over your own face in a mirror, the brain processes that information with a higher level of personal relevance. It’s not just a note; it’s a note to you, literally looking at you.
Don't Ruin Your Glass: The Best Tools for the Job
Look, don't use a Sharpie. Seriously.
People think permanent markers are the only way to get a crisp line, but you’ll be scrubbing that glass with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol for an hour while questioning your life choices. You need something that resists the humidity of a post-shower steam but wipes off without a fight.
Liquid Chalk Markers are the gold standard here. They use a water-based ink that looks like vibrant neon paint but acts like chalk. Brands like Chalkola or VersaChalk are the go-tos for most professional organizers. They don't ghost—meaning they don't leave that faint, annoying silhouette behind after you wipe them off.
Then there’s the classic Dry Erase Marker. It’s the boring choice, but it’s reliable. Just a heads-up: if you leave dry erase ink on a mirror for more than a week, the polymers can bond slightly to the surface, making it "crusty." A little bit of glass cleaner fixes it, but it’s something to keep in mind if you're planning a long-term affirmation.
And hey, if you’re feeling old school, use Lipstick. It’s iconic for a reason. Waxy, vibrant, and dramatic. Just know that the oils in lipstick are a nightmare to clean. You’ll need a degreaser—think dish soap or a dedicated glass cleaner with ammonia—to get the streak-free finish back.
Writing on the Mirror for Mental Health
Affirmations get a bad rap.
People think of Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live saying, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough." But there’s actual science behind positive self-talk. A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that self-affirmation can actually lower cortisol levels—the stuff that makes you feel stressed out and shaky.
Writing a "You are capable" note on your mirror isn't about being cheesy. It’s about cognitive reframing. If you spend your morning routine thinking about your mounting inbox, you're priming your brain for anxiety. If you’re forced to read a different narrative on the glass, you’re interrupting that loop.
Some people use the mirror to track goals. I knew a marathon runner who wrote their target split times on the bottom corner of their bathroom mirror. They saw those numbers every single morning for four months. By race day, those numbers weren't just goals; they were part of their environment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The Steam Factor: If you write with regular chalk, the steam from your shower will turn it into a runny mess.
- Corner Crowding: Don't write in the center of the mirror. It sounds obvious, but you still need to see your teeth to brush them. Use the perimeter.
- Overdoing It: If your mirror looks like a scene from A Beautiful Mind, the messages lose their impact. Stick to one or two key thoughts.
Is It Safe for All Mirrors?
Usually, yes.
Most household mirrors are "second-surface" mirrors. This means the reflective silvering is on the back of the glass, protected by a layer of paint. You’re writing on the glass side. Glass is non-porous and incredibly hardy. However, if you have an antique mirror with "desilvering" (those black spots around the edges), be careful. Moisture or chemicals from markers can seep into the edges and accelerate the damage to the silvering.
If you’re renting an Airbnb or staying in a high-end hotel, maybe skip the lipstick message. Even if it cleans off, the "ghosting" can be visible under certain lighting, and you don’t want to lose a security deposit over a "Happy Birthday" note.
Moving Beyond the Bathroom
The vanity isn't the only place for this.
The hallway mirror is great for "don't forget your keys" reminders. The mirror by the front door is perfect for a final "you look great" boost before you face the world. I’ve even seen people use small locker mirrors in gyms to keep track of their sets or personal records.
It’s about utility. We spend so much time looking at screens—phones, laptops, TVs—that we’ve become somewhat blind to digital notifications. We swipe them away without thinking. You can’t swipe away a physical mark on the glass you’re using to shave or put on mascara. It demands attention.
Practical Steps for Your First Mirror Note
If you want to start this habit, don't overthink it. Grab a standard white dry-erase marker.
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Start with something functional. Write down one thing you absolutely have to do tomorrow. Put it in the top right corner. See how it feels to encounter that information while you're half-awake and reaching for your toothbrush.
If you're using it for motivation, keep it short. Three words max. "Keep going," "Just show up," or "Focus on today."
To clean it, use a microfiber cloth. Paper towels can sometimes leave lint behind, which gets stuck in the wax or ink residue. If you used something stubborn like a grease pencil or lipstick, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the cloth first. Wipe in a circular motion, then follow up with a dry section of the cloth to buff out the streaks.
Writing on the mirror is a tiny act of rebellion against the digital noise. It’s tactile, it’s temporary, and it’s surprisingly effective. Whether you’re trying to stay sane, stay organized, or just give someone you love a reason to smile at 7:00 AM, the glass is waiting.