Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Being Seen Series: Part 1 – From Loneliness to Invisibility
Darlene Hawley
The Real Reason You’re Struggling to Feel Seen... And What to Do About It.
Lately, I’ve been feeling a little off.
Not just tired.
Not just overwhelmed.
But something heavier… like I’ve been moving through the world feeling a bit blue...or should I say gray.
You know that feeling where you’re doing all the things... showing up, putting yourself out there, staying in motion, yet somehow still feel like no one really sees you?
That’s where I’ve been.
And I don’t think I’m the only one.
It hit me especially hard earlier this month.
July 4th marked 24 years since my mom passed away.
It’s always an emotional day.
But this year, only one person reached out.
Just one.
And while I felt grateful, I also felt hurt.
Like I was the only one who remembered her and her legacy.
I realized... it wasn’t just sadness or even grief I was carrying.
It was the weight of not being witnessed. Of feeling… invisible.
We talk about loneliness a lot, but maybe we’re using the wrong word. Maybe what we’re really feeling is something deeper, quieter, and harder to name.
“Depersonalisation is what happens when people feel not exactly lonely, but rather profoundly invisible.”
Think about it.
How often do we hide the parts of ourselves that are grieving, aching, stretching, or simply messy, because we don’t want to make others uncomfortable? Or because the world tells us to keep it light and keep it moving?
I’m guilty of it.
I’ve stayed quiet instead of asking someone how they were doing after a loss, afraid I’d say the wrong thing.
But when someone does remember... when they simply say, “I see you”,
it’s not awkward.
It’s sacred.
It reminds us that we’re not alone, that our presence matters.
I’ve been putting myself out there, even in the midst of this fog. Volunteering at the SHRM
national conference. Visiting the Tedx Temecula
Salon viewing party. Attending a boat networking event with Hera Hub. Showing up for the 100+ Women Who Care Temecula Valley
gathering. All moments where I wanted to stay home and continue binge-watching Outlander… but didn’t.
Not because it was easy. Because I crave connection... even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
In a recent C-Sweet virtual networking session, I shared something that’s carried me through nearly 19 years of entrepreneurship:
“When the world feels uncertain, the only thing I’ve known to do is keep showing up—even when I feel unseen.”
Because I’ve learned this...
Even when it feels like no one is watching, someone always is.
And even if the people I hope will see me don’t... growth, clients, impact often come from places I never expected.
Here’s the thing... being visible doesn’t always mean being seen.
We can post, speak, network, and still feel invisible if no one’s really paying attention... if no one’s present enough to witness us. And for many of my clients (and myself), that’s what we’re longing for. Not followers. Not likes.
To be seen. Felt. Acknowledged. Heard.
So let me ask you this:
What part of you is craving to be seen right now?
And what might shift if you let just a little more of that truth out into the light?
You don’t need to make a public announcement or turn it into a TED Talk (though you can if you want to).
Maybe today, you tell a friend, “I don’t need you to fix this... I just want to be seen.”
Because that’s where healing starts.
And it’s where real leadership begins, too.
Next week in Part 2 of the Sunday Summer Being Seen Series, we’ll dive into something that makes all this even harder... how our fast-paced, tech-driven world has made us more connected and more invisible at the same time.
But for now, just know this:
You’re not too much.
You’re not alone.
And you are so worthy of being seen.
Not just for what you do, but for who you are.
Send me a message and share with me... How have you felt invisible lately?
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💬 MadLibs for Visibility
Today, I want to be seen not just as a (adjective)__ leader, but as someone who (verb)__ even when (challenging situation). What I most want people to witness in me right now is my (emotion or truth).
Here is mine:
Today, I want to be seen not just as a confident leader, but as someone who keeps showing up even when I feel unsure. What I most want people to witness in me right now is my hope.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Grief, growth, and a reminder to make each moment count—how my mom’s passing still shapes the way I lead and live today.
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