Who Is That?

[JustGeorge]

I have noticed that in the last few years, the person I see in the mirror is unfamiliar.

This doesn't cause me grief or upset, its just curious to note. I'm not sure why this is so...

My appearance did change significantly in a short amount of time, and I've always felt the inside and outside didn't match, but anytime I see that person staring back out of the mirror at me, it kind of startles me.

Anyone else go through this? Is it an aging thing? Or is it just another oddity on my end?

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Could be cognitive dissonance, or some other symptom of depression and/or anxiety?

 

[JustGeorge]

Could be cognitive dissonance, or some other symptom of depression and/or anxiety?

What's cognitive dissonance?

 

[Spirit of Light]

I have noticed that in the last few years, the person I see in the mirror is unfamiliar.

This doesn't cause me grief or upset, its just curious to note. I'm not sure why this is so...

My appearance did change significantly in a short amount of time, and I've always felt the inside and outside didn't match, but anytime I see that person staring back out of the mirror at me, it kind of startles me.

Anyone else go through this? Is it an aging thing? Or is it just another oddity on my end?

Yes, I have gone through a similar experience more than one time.
I can not speak for what you experience but the way I understand it when I looked at my reflection in the mirror is that the more my inner world change (mind, spirit, and so on) the more my outer appearance change too

 

[lewisnotmiller]

What's cognitive dissonance?

I'll let @The Kilted Heathen explain what he meant. I can explain the concept otherwise, but wouldn't have typically related it to being a symptom of depression, etc.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

What's cognitive dissonance?

Generally a sudden change or inconsistency in thought patterns and behaviors, or here a sudden unrecognition of your own face. Kind of like saying a word over and over until it just sounds... weird.

 

[JustGeorge]

Generally a sudden change or inconsistency in thought patterns and behaviors, or here a sudden unrecognition of your own face

I'm not sure it was so sudden... I think it happened over time.

Yes, I have gone through a similar experience more than one time.
I can not speak for what you experience but the way I understand it when I looked at my reflection in the mirror is that the more my inner world change (mind, spirit, and so on) the more my outer appearance change too

That's a good point. I have gone through a lot of personal changes in the last 5 or so years.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Generally a sudden change or inconsistency in thought patterns and behaviors, or here a sudden unrecognition of your own face. Kind of like saying a word over and over until it just sounds... weird.

Cognitive Dissonance and Ways to Resolve It
That is not cognitive dissonance.

The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes feelings of unease or discomfort.

 

[JustGeorge]

Cognitive Dissonance and Ways to Resolve It
That is not cognitive dissonance.

Color me confused, but...well, I am.

Being as an appearance isn't really a held value, and I've no need to explain it away... how would it not seeming familiar be cognitive dissonance?

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

That is not cognitive dissonance.

Good to know. What am I describing, then?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Anyone else go through this? Is it an aging thing? Or is it just another oddity on my end

After moving here, it did happen once because I have changed a lot since moving here, including my appearance (not just male/female different, but very entirely different other than still wearing black). It hit me once, and scared me for awhile and I began to wonder if that's who I am or if I'm turning into someone I'm not.
I decided to just decide it's me with confidence and self esteem added. I used to never dress as I as do willingly and I hated it, but as it is I like having a better put together appearance that's dressed better than before. And I've come to like saying I'm often to best dressed around. Not over done, but overdressed for where I'm from.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Color me confused, but...well, I am.

Being as an appearance isn't really a held value, and I've no need to explain it away... how would it not seeming familiar be cognitive dissonance?

It's not.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Good to know. What am I describing, then?

Not really sure, especially adding in the saying a word over and over.
There are adjustment disorders that can go off with sudden change, but it's not anything repetitive or dealing with conflicting views. And then the discomforts amd reconciling conflicting views is cognitive dissonance, but its not related to repetitions or changes.

 

[sun rise]

I don't recognize the old man that stares back at me in the mirror. I know I'm 45 and in the prime of life. Age does that to people since I know I'm not the only one.

 

[JustGeorge]

After moving here, it did happen once because I have changed a lot since moving here, including my appearance (not just male/female different, but very entirely different other than still wearing black). It hit me once, and scared me for awhile and I began to wonder if that's who I am or if I'm turning into someone I'm not.
I decided to just decide it's me with confidence and self esteem added. I used to never dress as I as do willingly and I hated it, but as it is I like having a better put together appearance that's dressed better than before. And I've come to like saying I'm often to best dressed around. Not over done, but overdressed for where I'm from.

Logically, I know that's me in the mirror... and I'll say, I've got some awesome clothes. Though, like you say here, I have really changed styles in a short amount of time. During my last pregnancy, I got too fat for almost all my clothes, and I had to replace them. The clothes I replaced them with don't look at all like the old ones. Not bad, but it is a change..

I look tired. My facial features have changed because of it. I look like a different person. I'm not unhappy, but I am worn the **** out. Actually, I hear it a lot, too. I don't hear "you look nice today" or "nice shirt", but rather "wow, you look tired". Being tired seems to have come into my identity too quickly for me to process!

 

[Deeje]

I have noticed that in the last few years, the person I see in the mirror is unfamiliar.

This doesn't cause me grief or upset, its just curious to note. I'm not sure why this is so...

My appearance did change significantly in a short amount of time, and I've always felt the inside and outside didn't match, but anytime I see that person staring back out of the mirror at me, it kind of startles me.

Anyone else go through this? Is it an aging thing? Or is it just another oddity on my end?

Oh my....I was going to break all my mirrors for lying to me....the person I see looking back at me is an old lady but the person inside this body is only about 30.....

I think I am just going to personally ban mirrors in my house and pretend that I am not getting old.

I am beginning to understand that saying....."old age is not for sissies"....

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Reminds me of a poem:



“When it comes to beauty, I’m no star.

There are others prettier, by far.

But my face, I don’t mind it,
Because I’m behind it.

It’s the folks in front who get the jar!”

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I look tired. My facial features have changed because of it. I look like a different person. I'm not unhappy, but I am worn the **** out. Actually, I hear it a lot, too. I don't hear "you look nice today" or "nice shirt", but rather "wow, you look tired". Being tired seems to have come into my identity too quickly for me to process!

From what you describe I'm surprised you have any time at all to post here. That you're that tired doesn't surprise me.

 

[JustGeorge]

From what you describe I'm surprised you have any time at all to post here. That you're that tired doesn't surprise me.

I post in between nonsense bursts. It keeps me sane

(I'm actually sitting in my 7 year old's bed at the moment, spelling out closed restaurants for him to search for on his computer in hopes he'll fall asleep soon. His previous activities involved throwing dirty laundry on his dad; that wasn't really working out.)

I'm not surprised to be tired either. It does seem logical. It just happened so fast, physically speaking. Makes it hard to recognize me.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm not surprised to be tired either. It does seem logical. It just happened so fast, physically speaking. Makes it hard to recognize me.

I hope you don't get so used to it's just your familiar look.
It's always easier said than done, but you need rest and sleep. It not effects what you do, it's a drag on the mood and pretty bad for our overall health and functioning.
Of course it could be medical or something else, but I'm surprised you haven't split in two as a necessity to keep up with everything.