Anonymous wrote:Slowly coming to terms with being almost 50. I'm in good shape and I'm told I look younger than I am, but when I look in the mirror I see someone who's getting older. Of course. Hollows under eyes, ever-so-slight sagging in the jawline.
I've been thinking a lot lately about whether I am becoming or will become "invisible." I've heard older women say that at some point in middle age, you become invisible, to men, at least: the cute waiter doesn't flirt with you anymore; no one goes out of their way to offer you a hand with your luggage; you walk into a cocktail party and men's eyes slide right past you, looking for someone younger and prettier.
It's funny, thinking about this makes me realize how accustomed I've become to not being invisible, and how much I "use" being attractive, in all kinds of subtle ways. I don't mean to say I'm drop dead gorgeous or a huge flirt: I've never been either. But I suppose like most reasonably attractive women, I've always been aware that being an attractive woman helps me. I'm in a very male-dominated profession, so maybe this has been more true for me than it would be if I was in a different field. But I definitely "use" being attractive: I know I can charm men, and work hard to do so, not to sleep with them but just to ease all the normal professional interactions I have with them. I'm not sure I am expressing this well: it's just that I'm aware of charming many of the men I deal with, and in a way I almost never have to articulate, even to myself, the fact that I can do this feels like part of what enables me to function well in my profession.
And I guess I am scared of losing that. The prospect of perhaps losing that ability to charm -- and ability that is, I fear, linked to being attractive and not too "old" -- makes me realize how much I rely on it.
Does this make any sense? Do you feel like you become invisible after a certain age? If so, how have you handled it or come to terms with it?
(I know, I know, it's inner beauty that matters, and we just have to age gracefully and all that, and I swear I will try. But.)
I'm 48, blonde, blue-eyed, 5'3" and curvy. I've always been about 10 lbs overweight, but with an hourglass figure and it going to boobs and butt, it's kinda been a bonus. But more than ever now, because my face is still full. You know that saying, "It's either your face or your ass"? I have approached the time where I'm becoming invisible. I don't care. It was a hassle being hit on all the time and looked at like a piece of meat. It's kind of a freeing feeling. I don't need all the perks anymore - let someone else have them. I'm more interested in focusing on my family, my needs, my happiness,. I still get hit on by guys in their mid-30s who think I'm not as old as I am, and I feel flattered. I still get carded. My dentist thinks I'm 35. My kid's friends think I'm around 35 and always comment on how pretty I am. When all of that goes away I'll be so relieved. I feel so sorry for women (and myself) who spent a second of their life thinking their self-worth is wrapped up in their physical appearance. It's sad. Not fair. Time to end that sh***.