When several days have gone by and I haven’t posted anything I start to think about whether this blog is a diary or a vehicle for airing my thoughts (gripes) or just what it is. I suppose it is those things, and most important I think it is my way of not being invisible. When I was younger I was never invisible. Generally, my presence attracted far more attention than I ever wanted or understood how to deal with. Sometime after my fiftieth or sixtieth birthday I became invisible. I know this is not something I’ve dreamt up or that is limited to me. I’ve heard too many elders complain about it. I want to make my presence felt, at least on the internet. I encourage everyone I know to start a blog and gladly help others do it. I would like to see a huge elder presence on the web. Maybe that would make all of us less invisible.
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100 Books Before I Die 
It happens earlier than 50… My friends in their early 40s also notice this happening (although they say it’s not the case when they travel in South or when they travel abroad).
Interesting observations, Ruthe, about not being seen. I think another side of the “after fifty or sixty coin” is whether you’re really truly “heard” either. Feeling neither seen nor heard probably contributes to why I continue to blog, even though I’m not always sure I’m saying what I really want to say.
Interesting observations, Ruthe, about not being seen. I think another side of the “after fifty or sixty coin” is whether you’re really truly “heard” either. Feeling neither seen nor heard probably contributes to why I continue to blog, even though I’m not always sure I’m saying what I really want to say.
Thanks for the validation, Stacie. Actually, one of my few regrets is that I didn’t make better use of that attention when I had it. I was often afraid or embarrassed by it. We would do well to teach our young women how to use it and make the most of it.
Actually, I am hearing about this a lot more these days. So many women go through this transition from being noticed, to not being noticed. My mother told me about it…I talked to some women last weekend about it…and I notice it when I don’t “do” myself when out in public. I think this feeling is what inspires me to make jewelry that is different, and is almost a conversation starter when wearing it. I don’t like to admit to it, but it is something that is true for me. The younger women don’t like my stuff…drawing attention to them is something that still makes them uncomfortable, like you mentioned. I think this is a subject that needs to be fleshed out more. Interesting observation, Ruthe! I sure don’t think you are invisible…I think about you all the time!
I find I use my blog to relate my observations, mostly. Most of my gripes are political, so no use wasting space on them. I don’t feel invisible–it would be impossible to move to a small southern town from a big city and become invisible. Try it–I promise even younger men won’t find you invisible!