I Put a Mirror in My Entryway and It Fixed My Anxiety (Sort Of)
A Reddit user tries a mirror in the entryway to calm pre-work panic. Mixed results, honest review.
Location
Austin, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Entryway
Direction
Southeast
The Problem
Every morning I'd walk out my front door and feel my chest tighten. The entryway was a dark, narrow tunnel — no light, no view, just a wall. I'd stand there putting on my shoes, staring at this blank beige wall, and my brain would start spiraling about the day. Tried yoga, meditation apps, even those calm gummies. Nothing stuck.
What They Tried
I read somewhere that mirrors in entryways can make small spaces feel bigger and brighter. So I grabbed a cheap full-length mirror from Target, the kind with a thin black frame, and leaned it against that blank wall opposite the door. Didn't even mount it. Just leaned it there.
What Happened
First morning: I walked out, saw my own anxious face, and literally laughed. Not a cure, but it broke the loop. The space felt less like a coffin. I started checking my posture in it — weirdly, standing up straighter made me feel more in control. After a week, the pre-work dread was still there, but quieter. I'd catch my reflection and think, 'Okay, you look fine, just go.'
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 巽 ☴ · Xun |
|---|---|
| Direction | Southeast |
| Element | wood |
What works best here
Xun (4) · Wood. Southeast loves moderate height with an airy, open feel.
Place: tall leafy plants, natural fiber rugs, light wood tones, cream and soft green.
Recommended crystal
Citrine or Green Jade — placed on a wooden side table in the southeast corner
Perfect for a creative workspace or journaling spot; natural light is your friend here
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Text
Los espejos activan, realzan y hacen circular el chi. ... solucionan muchos problemas haciendo que ciertas estancias parezcan más espaciosas, intensificando la iluminación existente, proporcionando protección, reflejando el chi, sacando a relucir paredes «desaparecidas» y duplicando ventanas y vistas. ... Cuando en una estancia hay dos paredes a distinta altura, se puede colocar un espejo en la más baja para elevar el chi y equilibrarla ... si lo que sucede es que en una estancia sobresalen las esquinas o bien bajan hasta ella escaleras carenadas desde un piso superior, los espejos habrá que colocarlos de forma que reflejen todos esos agresores estructurales, haciendo que el chi desande su camino y mantenga su flujo.
English Translation
A classical text on spatial arrangement observes that mirrors activate and circulate the energy of a space. They can make rooms appear larger, amplify light, and provide a sense of protection by reflecting what is behind you. Placing a mirror on a lower wall can lift the atmosphere and balance uneven heights.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The entryway is a transition zone — a threshold between private and public. A blank wall here creates a dead end for the eye, reinforcing a feeling of being trapped. A mirror introduces a second visual plane, effectively doubling the perceived space and bouncing light back into the room. Psychologically, seeing your own reflection interrupts automatic negative thoughts: you become an observer of your own state, which can reduce rumination. This case shows a simple spatial change creating a moment of self-awareness that disrupts the anxiety loop.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
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Marie Burgos Design
High-profile luxury interior design firm with offices in NYC and LA. Founder Marie Burgos holds IFSG Red Ribbon Master certification. Deeply integrates modern French luxury design with Eastern Five Elements Feng Shui. Regularly featured in top design media.