Are you invisible?

Feeling invisible? I was the other day and it made me realize something; people have begun to see me differently than how I see myself.

When I was purchasing something a few days ago, I was ignored by the clerk until I spoke up and said I was next, not the impish, younger woman who stepped in front of me in her torn jeans and blue hair. Move over, youngin!

The website www.Gransnet.com reports that 70% of women believe, as they get older, they become "invisible, unseen, overlooked and patronized."

I was patronized the other day when a receptionist addressed me as "sweetie." What? Would she address me that way if I was younger? Nope! I have a name!

There is actually a name for feeling invisible as we age. It is called, appropriately enough, Invisible Woman Syndrome. By the way, men feel the same but at a later period in their lives.

I recently read that "age doesn't creep up, it fells you with changes you didn't see coming. You vanish, replaced by an old and forgettable woman." Suddenly, as older women, we are "taking up space."

Hog wash! I'm here to dispel that myth because it is indeed a myth if we buy into it.

We can turn things around like no other generation. I firmly believe this. So, let's do it.

For heaven's sake, let's take this bull by the horns and become visible again to others. I say, "to others" because we are not invisible to ourselves. So, we have to make sure others don't see us that way either!

Visibility at our age is our mindset, how we dress, how we interact with others, being firm in our opinions and not being afraid to express ourselves. Be energetic yet take that nap whenever you want to. We have earned it. Be vibrant, positive, inquisitive.

Aren't you tired of pleasing others and putting yourself last...if at all? I am. So, I strongly suggest you consider the following ideas when you begin to feel depressed about aging and invisibility.

* Be relevant to any situation.

* Value yourself; you don't need others to do it.

* Express confidence, power. You have it.

* Make no apologies for you or your age; you are wisdom.

* Surround yourself with people who are and feel the same way.

People who exhibit the above traits are visible! They are visible to the world and most importantly, to themselves. We have earned the right to still be the continuing author of our lives. It is never, ever too late.

So, chin up! See yourself for all your wonderful traits, strengths, powers, intelligence and let the world know you are still here!

Happy aging,

Sue