Do Women Become Invisible in Midlife? Visibility, Menopause, and Finding Meaning

In this episode of Unstuck, the hosts discuss whether women “of a certain age” become invisible, linking the idea to midlife, perimenopause, and menopause. Lisa argues older women are more visible than ever, while her co-host describes feeling less visible after leaving a senior NHS management role and starting a new business, connecting visibility to confidence, recognition, and self-worth. They reference Gail Saltz’s writing on “middle-agism” and Erikson’s concept of generativity versus stagnation, emphasising an identity shift from external validation (including attractiveness) to meaning through contribution. Using a schema therapy lens, they explore unmet core emotional needs (competence, belonging) and their SOS coping model: submit, opt out, or storm in, aiming instead for a balanced “lifeguard” response with self-compassion. They also examine media and marketing pressures, celebrity examples, and how socioeconomic status shapes the experience of visibility.