I have quit going out with some friends where I felt invisible. But then there are people you can't escape - like coworkers.
I often go for work lunch with a group of coworkers. They are all nice, kind and intelligent women. And they are also all mothers of children aged 2 to 14.
I don't mind some talk about children. I understand that - the children are the most important part of their lives.
Today's lunch talk was plain awful. One started to talk about her birth control - she uses an intrauterine device that contains the hormone. And than she asked 5 of us at the same table casually: "I guess all of you use this method?"
What could I reply to a silly question like this? I remained silent.
They all confirmed and started to go into lots of details.
I sat there for a while and felt completely invisible.
I was envious. Not of their healthy children. But of how easy it is to connect with everybody if you have a "normal" life. And once again it made me realize what an awkward person must I seem to the rest.
When I had enough, I thought of how to excuse myself. But I was so fed up, that I just didn't care. I just slipped from the table and went back to work.
***
That's why I love coming home. Here I am safe.
