Kate and Jordan both have interesting discussions going on about being “invisible”. Jordan asks, “Has anyone else experienced this strange sensation? If so, how did you deal with it?”
I’ve been invisible a few times in my life, most recently a couple years ago after the birth of my daughter. I was the heaviest I’d ever been in my life, I hadn’t bought myself any new clothes or had my hair cut or done anything for just “me” since the birth of my son a few years before. Suddenly I found myself pushing a WalMart cart across the parking lot and realized, for the first time, that the looks I used to get were gone. No one saw me or gave me a second glance. And I knew then that this had been going on for years and steadily wearing away my self confidence.
I think all women have a different reason why they become invisible. For me, I simply stopped being Sylvia and became Mom. Mom didn’t buy herself new clothes, even as she spent hundreds on her kids. I didn’t go to work so there was no one to impress. My kids think I’m gorgeous no matter what I look like. I finally got it together, told myself it was okay to put ‘me’ first and got back in shape. Started going to the spa again and caring for my appearance. Everyone has a different reason for being invisible, and mine is not someone else’s. Still it was a valuable personal lesson and one I try to focus on, because it’s so easy to forget.
Take care of you.
I think what you are saying is very valuable to many people. As for myself, I really became invisible when I hit 55 year mark . The world evolve around younger generations. I guess that is why there are communities for older generations. Correction; my grandkids can see me !
by miwako June 28th, 2005 at 9:05 am