Invisible Woman Syndrome And The Right To Be Seen

At a certain point in my thirties, I think it was around the time I became a parent, I also discovered I was becoming invisible. It started when I ceased being referred to by my name and became someone’s mom. Then over time, store clerks stopped noticing that I was the next one in line. If I had my hand up to ask a question in a meeting, many others would be noticed before me. Walking down the street, people didn’t even seem to see that I was there and make some room for me on the sidewalk. I’d become invisible.

Invisible Woman Syndrome Is Real

I wasn’t imagining it. Invisible woman syndrome is an actual phenomena that many women over 50 experience. We feel invisible in media, science, the workplace and in social settings. 

Be it the maturation of our physical features, an empty nest, or being ignored or overlooked in public and social settings, there is an overwhelming feeling of being invisible and irrelevant for many women over 50. But here’s the kicker, the invisibility and irrelevance that these women feel, is actually backed up by numbers..*

Invisible woman syndrome can make aging hard

By Julie Hunter

Even many scientific studies that include women end at 49 years, with the end of many women’s reproductive years. At middle age, sexism and ageism collide resulting in feeling unseen.* 

Conflicting Responses From Women

Invisible woman syndrome is welcomed by some women and opposed by others. The opportunity to live in a world where you are no longer the object of sexual harassment is liberating. But to be simultaneously told to dress as a women of “your age” because more current styles are not appropriate feels like being cast aside. There are opposing forces pushing us to stay young-looking to avoid being labelled “past it,” and pulling us to accept our grey hair and wrinkles. It’s very confusing.

It’s A Right

I’m embracing my statement jewelry years (see the wonderful video that follows).  If I truly believe that all people deserve to feel seen as their authentic self, then I should include myself.  Staying curious and current is key for engaging others and having them want to interact with you. Take up as much space as the next person. I will be wearing those bold earrings and bright colours if I enjoy them, and not blending into the background in bland and tired outfits.

“What if we dared to take the leap of leaving no woman behind for the things that matter to her, instead of declaring her either invisible or desperate for not presenting outwardly in ways we may like to present?”** What if…

How much do you feel you have a responsibility for not becoming invisible? Comment below.

Click here for some ideas on how to stand out. 

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*https://pcar.org/blog/invisible-woman-syndrome-can-make-aging-hard#:~:text=Be%20it%20the%20maturation%20of,for%20many%20women%20over%2050

**https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/not-the-norm/202202/the-invisibility-war-older-women

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