I didn’t realize how invisible I’d gotten used to being until I watched a TikTok by a woman who had just moved from Nigeria to the UK. She said, “I didn’t realize how invisible I’d feel here.” And that’s when I got the culture shock of my life!
When I moved from Canada to Nigeria, I didn’t just experience a new country or new routines; I experienced a whole new level of visibility. Back home in Canada, I could blend in easily. People are polite, yes, but they don’t see you. Not really. You can walk into a store, a church, a bus, and no one will even glance twice. We mind our business in Canada. And to me, there’s a comfort in that kind of anonymity. Even though, there’s also a quiet loneliness in it.
But in Nigeria? Everybody sees you. They greet you, engage you, and make you part of their world.
Here, there’s no such thing as being invisible. Everyone sees you. Everyone. Whether it’s the market woman calling out “Aunty fine!” or the okada man who somehow knows you’re new in the area, people will greet you, notice you, comment on you. Your presence cannot go unnoticed — for better or worse.
I still find it a bit overwhelming at times. I am not used to being so seen. So I have to make time to just hide out and be alone.
But in creating this blog, I realized that I am literally throwing myself into the realm of forever visible. And maybe I wasn’t meant to be invisible after all.
In a strange way, Nigeria has taught me to occupy space — to show up fully, without apologizing for it. People here don’t hide their voices, their laughter, or their personalities. They live out loud. And it’s making me do the same.
Now, when someone calls out to me or compliments me in passing, I don’t shy away. I smile back and engage because I see them too.
Because visibility isn’t just about being noticed — it’s about connection. It’s about being part of a world that looks you in the eye and says, “We see you.”
And honestly? After years of hiding, it feels good to be seen.
Have you ever lived somewhere that made you feel invisible — or seen? I’d love to hear your experience! Drop a comment below or join the conversation on Instagram @chevaunneshine. Let’s talk about what visibility looks like where you are.
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