Do you ever feel invisible? 🕶
Do you ever feel invisible?
Many of us have days where it seems like the whole world is forgetting we exist. Or maybe they never even knew to begin with. For CPTSD survivors, this may even bring up a level of anxiety, despair, or dread. But it may be so normal that this just feels like baseline emotions.
It’s not for no reason. Think about when you were young and there was a time you were truly unseen. It doesn’t take people intending to hurt you (though that can be part of the story). It can be as simple as not having needs met and the young mind’s interpretation of that experience being “I don’t matter.”
Flash forward to adulthood and social media and now we have hard data showing us the level of our “mattering” via likes and comments.
We may try to compensate by being useful. Or always reading the room. Or being agreeable beyond what’s good for us.
Or we could armor up and say “screw it” and be as self-sufficient as possible. Less need means less vulnerability means less hurt.
Another way to approach it is to name the feeling. Understand this has roots and isn’t a truth about your value. Reach out to one safe-enough person and let them know you’re having a rough day. Do one simple thing that’s physically good for you. This isn’t something you can think your way out of. You need corrective experiences.
But they can also carry a tension. We don’t want to be invisible but we don’t want to be exposed, scrutinized, judged, or rejected. It can be a vicious gap that we live in.
But for the record, you’re not invisible. 💛 #cptsd #complextrauma #mentalhealth #youmatter #complexptsd
Many of us can relate to the sensation of feeling invisible at times—like our presence, feelings, or even our very existence go unnoticed by those around us. This feeling can be particularly intense and long-lasting for survivors of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), where early emotional neglect or trauma creates a deep-seated belief of not mattering. Reflecting on childhood experiences helps uncover how being unseen by caregivers, even unintentionally, can plant the painful seed of invisibility. The absence of consistent emotional validation or unmet needs leaves a lasting imprint, influencing how we perceive ourselves later in life. Social media amplifies these feelings today by quantifying our social value through likes and comments, making invisibility seem more tangible. To move beyond this, it requires intentional, corrective experiences rather than merely trying to think our way out of it. Naming the feeling can be empowering—knowing it is a response rooted in past experiences and not a reflection of actual worth. Reaching out to at least one safe person can provide a sense of acknowledgment and connection that counters invisibility. Taking small physical actions like going for a walk, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in a hobby can also ground us and remind our body and mind that we are present and deserving of care. However, it’s essential to balance the desire for visibility with the natural fear of exposure and judgment, which often creates a complex emotional tension. In my own experience, recognizing when I’m drifting into invisibility allowed me to pause and gently reclaim my presence. It wasn’t about forcing myself into the spotlight but about affirming my value quietly and consistently through self-compassion and meaningful connections. Over time, these practices created a healing space where vulnerability felt safer, and the ache of invisibility lessened. If you ever feel invisible, remember it’s not your truth—you matter deeply. Understanding this is a significant step toward healing and rediscovering your worth.
