Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this odd "phenomenon" as I have in recent months. This is really hard for me to discuss because it sounds so weird to myself, yet I'm the one going through it. Ok, here it goes. I recently went grocery shopping and ran into a girl I haven't seen in a few years, yet her and I were friends all through school starting in first grade (we are both in our mid 30's now). We were close too. I was so excited about seeing her I shouted her name and said its so good to see you! I was walking towards her expecting a hug or a warm greeting or something....instead I got a blank look and all she said was, "Hello. Nice to meet you", and walked off. No warm greeting. No kind words. No hug. We've known each other our whole lives. The reason was she didn't know who I was. She had no clue because I look so different than what she remembered. My smile disappeared from my face and my heart sank. While she was walking away she glanced back to look at me and went on her way. Then she stopped and gasped and shouted, "CARLA?! IS THAT YOU?!" OH THANK GOD! She remembered me! She honestly had NO CLUE who I was. Now here is the thing, that's not the first time this has happened to me, it bothered me more because it was WHO it was (like I said, she and I were close). Several people I've grown up with, known my entire life, now have no clue who I am. I know they're not being rude, they just don't know who I am anymore. This bothers me for two reasons: 1.) Was being fat the single way people used to identify me. 2.) It feels like I've dropped into another universe that I never existed in the first place and its like trying to re-meet people who have no memory of me other than me being obese.
Another thing I've noticed is that people are nicer to me. People who have known me and complete strangers are nice. They say hello, open doors for me, make light casual conversation, better customer service in stores, and the list goes on and on. I'm not trying to be petty, or conjure up pitty for my past self, but it certainly stands out. Again, its like I've fallen into a completely different universe because of loosing 120 pounds. Am I the only one who has gone through this?! I need reassurance that I'm not going crazy.
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