There’s a photo that has shaken loose several things in my head.
Go look at the photo. Focus on the hawt redhead with the curly hair.
You should know that she comes from the family of hawtness. Whatever is in their water, I want some.
I looked at that picture and tried to picture myself rockin’ the curly red hair on an ordinary day, and I immediately thought, well no, that’s attention getting.
What?
Oh right, I focus on being invisible. On blending in. I don’t consciously focus on this, but it totally happens.
Oh look! A ponytail, no discernable hairstyle and all my makeup is under my eyes!
Oh look! Hair and face in it’s natural state! (Actually I took this for Whoorl, for Hair Thursday.)
Oh look! Ponytail AND glasses AND no makeup! But look at the cute kid! And believe me, people do.
Suddenly, I’m ripped out of invisibility by this kid. He attracts others to us whenever we are out.
So. Now I find myself in this invisible disguise, that isn’t working for me anymore. People see me, and what do they see.
(I really hope they don’t see the frumpy mom on the couch eating cookies and sharing them with the 8 month old. Sigh. But that’s a whole other post.)
This stuff all shook loose, and I started really looking at Mary Alice. I realized the invisibility cloak wasn’t cutting it anymore. That I’m older and better and wise and good enough and smart enough and people like me. I wanna be like her.
Or maybe, I wanna be just like me. ‘Cause this girl here? I like her, and this year, I’m planning to spend some more time with her.
This is my year to become uninvisible.
48 Comments
Tiffany
Hugs Dawn,
I am the invisible woman. Some days I don’t want to be anymore, so I totally get this post.
You shine already. Just thought you needed to know.
Tiffany’s last blog post..Hmmm?
Veronica
I know what you mean, hence the new dress buying. I want to not look like everyone else out there.
I want to look like how I feel. Even if some days that is mussed up and flustered. I don’t want peoples eyes to register another teen mum and slide past anymore.
Does that make sense?
Veronica’s last blog post..The T-shirt Debate
Mary Alice
Oh, honey, you made me cry. Wow. I have never thought of myself as out there or hawt at all. You are BEAUTIFUL in every picture….and darn tootin’ you should LOVE you…because WE all do.
Love who you are and take time to make that self SHINE…
Hugs, my bloggin’ friend.
Mary Alice’s last blog post..Fashion Craziness
Jenni
I totally understand. I am not shy, but I am very cautious around new people. It has less to do with appearance as much as personality. My husband used to say that other people were inconsequential to me. When I had kids, I realized I didn’t want to project my fears. I had to force myself to start talking to salespeople and strangers everywhere. It definitely has gotten easier, but I relish the days when I go out by myself and can just hide.
Nancy
As another woman who has mastered the art of invisibility, I salute you.
Also? You are definitely hawt.
Nancy’s last blog post..Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Cricket
knock..this..in..your..head…..
You’re beautiful how ever you are. Just ask Carson. (I need to see that show.)
Cricket’s last blog post..Saturday Scavenger Word: Hmmm
Random Ramblings
I’m not sure why, but this post really touched me. I think you’re pretty darn hawt!!! 😉 I try to put makeup on everyday, but the hair thing is a different story!!! Making time for yourself after becoming a mom is an extremely important thing…we should all do it more!!!
Random Ramblings’s last blog post..For Lack Of Anything Good To Say
witchypoo
If you ever wanted to be invisible, gaining weight is sure-fired. Not so easy to doff said cloak of invisibility.
You doffed yours beautifully.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Going on Strike
MP
Now you for SURE don’t have an invisible personality…so you shouldn’t be! Make sure your clothes fit you! Brush your hair!..maybe add some highlights!
It’s funny…that clothes that fit you…that did wonders for me, I used to be the one that went to Target in baggy sweatpants and old stretched out tshirts..now I wear jeans and a sweater..it makes a difference on how you carry yourself..
PS..I’d kill for your hair.
MP’s last blog post..What is going on..
The Other Dawn
Ah, Wondertwin. Let us start a HAWTALUTION! We shall spread the seeds of HAWT far and wide until every brow is plucked, every hangnail is tamed, and every woman we know has at least one shirt that would be ruined by baby slobber! Viva la Hawtalucion!
Dude.
I am totally firing up the Photoshop to make us a button tonight.
2shews’s last blog post..Common Questions About Karma
Red
Hmmm, I definitely understand the alure of invisibility as a defense mechanism — especially in new circumstances when looking for a chance to evaluate everything before getting pulled in.
However, as someone who’s seen you in a ponytail and without makeup (and first thing on a Sunday morning after polishing a couple bottles of wine and girly talk the night before), I have to say, I’ve never ever ever thought of you as invisible. You radiate energy and enthuiasm and intelligence & that’s all far from invisible.
~S
Flutter
I think all of your versions are beautiful, I am looking forward to seeing the one that makes you feel that way
Flutter’s last blog post..Oh, for the love of my shoes
janet
you are beautiful even IN your invisibility cloak, but …
you go, girl! take that hawtness and run with it!
janet’s last blog post..I’d like to thank the academy
badness jones
I know how you feel….The kids are dressed in Gap, and my clothes are so old I can’t read the labels! I’ve only had my hair cut once since the boy was born 13 months ago! I don’t know if I want to be a yummy mummy, but I want to feel like me again….here’s to working on it! (And Dawn? I can totally see the hawt girl hiding behind the ‘invisible suit’ in those pictures….)
badness jones’s last blog post..Snow Rage
IntheFastLane
Sometimes, just a new haircut is what does it for me and BAM! there I am again.
IntheFastLane’s last blog post..Just a Widdle Guy
Huckdoll
Agreed! You’re not alone. I used to get the “way cute!” and whatnot…now it’ll all for my twins. Sigh.
Huckdoll’s last blog post..About A Girl
Marylin
i know the whole trying to be invisible thing… to be honest I don’t even want to leave the house atm incase I bump into someone and they give me that look… you know, the look where they think *thank god that’s not me*? that look. I hate that look and I see it too often for my liking :-/
I miss who I used to be but I have no idea where that person’s gone… hopefully I’ll find her sometime this year.
Jenty
Well, I think you’re gorgeous even on your bad hair day!! There’s no need to be invisible.
And no need to hide behind your 8mth old either! It’s not like people can’t hear you, look how many people listen to you talking here everyday, ok, it’s not IRL, but they’re still your thoughts.
Jenty’s last blog post..First day of school
Eve
I followed you over from Sarcastic Mom. I was intrigued by the title of your post “On Being Invisible.” I think we all feel invisible sometimes. Sometimes we even long for invisibility (like when your kid says something totally inappropriate very loudly and in public). I gotta tell you though, that life is much more fun when you come out of hiding. No matter who you are, what your shape, whether your hair is perfect or not (have you seen some of the red-carpet do’s lately?) if you think you’re beautiful and hold yourself that way the world will accept your judgment. BTW – I’d kill to have your hair. I pay $65.00 a shot for a perm to get my hair to have a bit of body and curl. You were mom’s favorite, right? That’s why she gave you the nice hair?
Eve’s last blog post..Random Things About Me
Kelli @ Gohn Crazy
I know exactly what you mean. Really I do. In effort to change it I even went and got a makeover at a MAC counter (totally out of my comfort zone) and bought the make up – now if only I took the time to do it. I got a new do and then when it totally grew out (due to lack of attention I give to myself) I went to a friend because I was on a time crunch and well he killed it. I find a baseball hat is my do of choice a little concealer on special days to hide my lack of sleep bags and some unfortunate blemishes. And we won’t even get into the actual attire. No matter how hard I try I can’t get over jeans and baggy tshirts. Ah well. Just know I’m totally cheering you on! I hope you achieve the changes that you wish to make. 🙂
Kelli @ Gohn Crazy’s last blog post..Ode to a vacuum
Toni
I love velour track suits. I do. I can’t stop.
I’m totally cheering for you!
Toni’s last blog post..Can You Feel The Love?
Jennifer
I very much miss the girl I used to be, although I’ve ALWAYS felt invisible. I really wish sometimes now, with my ugly hair and frumpy clothes, that I was invisible.
I wish you luck on your quest to become un-invisible.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Rice, Rice Baby
Kelly O
I hear you. You get so used to the “get it done”ness of being a mom. Utilitarian and fast over fabulous. I’m inspired. 2008 is the year we all reclaim our fabulousness!
Kelly O’s last blog post..Little drummer boy and little pantsless prince
Audubon Ron
Absolutely a treasure to see you. Thank you. Yeah, don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t be invisible. I want more.
And you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re right, the baby is gonna be a babe magnet, Mama. Did you hear me? Your son is gonna be a babe magnet and he?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s gonna be breaking hearts, and he?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s gonna be Mr. Prom King, and he?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s gonna play music and break some more hearts. And HE?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢S GONNA BE JUST LIKE ME!
Oh,Oh, shit, we need to prevent that. Call Dr. Phil, we need to get this nipped in the bud. Oh no, at first you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll like the idea of making Mr. Studman until one day you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll walk into a room and go, ?¢‚Ǩ?ìMY LAMBS! Look at the head on THAT one!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù No, no, we gotta nip this.
Audubon Ron’s last blog post..Audubon Tuesday – Ducks
Chick
Oh God, I know just what you are talking about.
HUGS.
Also? I think you are so pretty.
Chick’s last blog post..Christ on a Bike!
amy
Good post! And you look great! You have TONS to work with girl!
amy’s last blog post..Old Enough To See Behind Me
~Sheryl
Great post! Hey, thanks for stopping by. I see lot’s of familiars in your comments section. But they don’t know me… I’m invisible. 😉
One of my favorite pics I took with my son is similar to the one of you and your kiddo on the floor.
And you have already started on your quest to become visible… I can see you now.
~Sheryl’s last blog post..Election Day in Michigan
Ree
You cutie pie.
Ree’s last blog post..Arrived
Avery
You’re too cute to be invisible. Glad you’ve decided to come out of the woodwork!
Avery’s last blog post..A Little Something for the Fellas
Ewokmama
I’m the same way!
I’ve gotta say, wearing your hair down gives you a whole different look. You have great hair and you should use it!
Ewokmama’s last blog post..Help Build the Mothers Milk Bank of New England
Mrs. G.
Mary Alice is most certainly hot, but, honey, you are working that beret. You are a beautiful woman…and that kid ain’t bad either. Wonderful post!
Mrs. G.’s last blog post..Mrs. G. Can’t Touch This!
Margaret
You are absolutely smashing. Ab-sa-frickin-lootley.
I – on the other hand – cannot spell. 🙂
Margaret’s last blog post..My New Best Friend
zoe
i find myself doing the same thing ever since the baby weight stayed. sounds like a wonderful resolution we could all use! mary alice is hawt isn’t she???
zoe’s last blog post..Unfit for human habitation
Sandy (Momisodes)
I cannot tell you how much I can relate to this post. It seems as if every photo of me in the past few years is me in that ponytail, makeup less…..Here’s to a bringin it back, only better in oh-eight 🙂
Sandy (Momisodes)’s last blog post..Twofer 67
Jen
I guess you can tell by the number of comments that you sure hit a nerve here in mommy blogdom.
Being invisible is so comfortable for me – I even prefer to be invisible as a blogger/blog reader. But you are right – being a mom challenges that desire to blend in. I was just standing in the mall today, chasing Emma around, knowing people were looking at her (cause let’s face it, how could they not 😉 ) and thinking “Sheesh, I guess I need to not look like crap when I leave the house…” So I will join you in that resolution!
Jen’s last blog post..Feeling the love
Jen
PS – You are totally a hottie no matter what! Motherhood suits you.
Jen’s last blog post..Feeling the love
Schu
I have a BEAUTIFUL wife.
Schu’s last blog post..On being invisible
The Other Dawn
Dude. I TOTALLY did my first button for our Hawtolucion. It’s on my blog, and I will email it to you if you want to email me with your address. Can you teach me how to make it linky?
Arkie Mama
You look beautiful, with or without the ponytail, with or without the makeup!
(I feel like I often don the invisibility cloak. Great post.)
Arkie Mama’s last blog post..Not in the mood
LSM
I think it’s interesting how blogging lets us be visible in an entirely different way than we are moving about out there in “the world.” Be sure to take that time to make yourself more visible. It’s easy to get so submerged in new-momhood and not pay attention to your own needs.
LSM’s last blog post..Perfunctory Post Day
Kelley
You go sexy babe!!!!
You look totally hawt to me 😉
Kelley’s last blog post..Something to ponder?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.
Jen M
You’re GORGEOUS. Let your flag fly high, honey.
Jen M’s last blog post..Oh to be a Man
Sarcastic Mom
I can totally see your bewbs in that last shot. SCORE.
I love you in all of your ways. I hope you share some insanely good and peaceful moments with that girl. I barely know her yet, really, myself… but I already know she’s one of the good ones, and I count her among my friends.
Sarcastic Mom’s last blog post..Get your Wednesday here, on Thursdays!
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