Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to wonder why strangers have started complimenting my appearance?

22 replies

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:40

So this is n it a boasting post at all as I have always been quite insecure about the way I look. I’m not sure what is going on though as I turned 36 a few months ago and all of a sudden strangers comment on my looks, I was out shopping yesterday and a woman stopped me to tell
me I was beautiful, honestly, I couldn’t believe it and I skipped out of the shop, it honestly made my day. Maybe I have just reached an age where I actually don’t care what people think anymore and it shows?

OP posts:
Probablylate21 · 06/07/2026 06:41

a change in confidence? A new product? Whatever it is enjoy it

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:50

It’s very strange when you’re not used to it, but yes, I’ll enjoy it whilst it lasts!

OP posts:
JMSA · 06/07/2026 06:52

Have you lost weight? I have, and get this a lot more.

5128gap · 06/07/2026 06:53

It will be nothing to do with whether you care or not, as that makes no difference to what people see. It's far more likely that a few subtle changes, maybe better sleep, different hair, change of colours in clothes/make up, weight change, or even subtle age related changes have taken you from everyday attractive to stand out.
The older you get, the easier it is to attract attention as 'beautiful' too, which sounds counter intuitive, but its because in your 20s you are part of a huge group of peers, who mostly look good, often on account of being young, so the bar for 'beautiful' is very high.
As you get older, if you're genuinely good looking, which you must be, you will stand out more.

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:53

JMSA · 06/07/2026 06:52

Have you lost weight? I have, and get this a lot more.

No to be honest I have put it on! I spent 17 years in a rubbish marriage which ended 3 years ago and completely lost myself. I have recently met a great guy who treats me so well and it must just show.

OP posts:
Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 07:00

Have you moved? Sounds crazy but I’m invisible as a sixty year old woman for the most part, but there’s one UK city where I get hit on regularly.

Enjoy it!

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 07:02

Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 07:00

Have you moved? Sounds crazy but I’m invisible as a sixty year old woman for the most part, but there’s one UK city where I get hit on regularly.

Enjoy it!

No I haven’t moved. I think I’m just happy and it shows, my ex left me for another woman and to be honestly it seriously knocked my confidence. This new man makes me feel like the only woman in the world and it feels amazing to finally be treated how I should be.

OP posts:
JMSA · 06/07/2026 07:06

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:53

No to be honest I have put it on! I spent 17 years in a rubbish marriage which ended 3 years ago and completely lost myself. I have recently met a great guy who treats me so well and it must just show.

Well, that’s it then. It’s the aura that you give out. You probably look more confident and happy.
I remember dating a guy years ago (post-divorce). After a marriage of rubbish sex and him cheating on me, sex for the first time in my life was awesome! He drove me to work after a good night and one colleague commented ‘oh my God, you look so beautiful today!’ Blush

JMSA · 06/07/2026 07:08

Weirdly, I was married for the exact same time as you!
Good for you OP, and I hope your wonderful new relationship goes the distance 😊 x

Boomer55 · 06/07/2026 07:08

You’re obviously giving out a ‘happy’ aura, and people react positively to that.

Non one reacts well to miserable people.

Enjoy the compliments.

Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 07:08

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 07:02

No I haven’t moved. I think I’m just happy and it shows, my ex left me for another woman and to be honestly it seriously knocked my confidence. This new man makes me feel like the only woman in the world and it feels amazing to finally be treated how I should be.

Good for you. Enjoy that lovely feeling!

RedPoet · 06/07/2026 07:10

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:53

No to be honest I have put it on! I spent 17 years in a rubbish marriage which ended 3 years ago and completely lost myself. I have recently met a great guy who treats me so well and it must just show.

It's because you are in love with yourself happy and glowing. A sparkle in your eyes

Jennalong · 06/07/2026 07:11

Not said in a horrible way , but as you've said you wasn't happy in your previous relationship maybe you went around looking unhappy , sort of scrunched up resting bitch face sort of look , put upon expression .
Now you are happy and loving life all that doom & gloom look about you had lifted and you are living your authentic , happy & glowing and don't we know it wonderful life !
Congratulations and long may it continue .

13RidgmontRoad · 06/07/2026 07:14

Similar to you OP - I’m 40 and I’m not conventionally attractive but since taking steps to end my marriage I’m being complimented and just looked at differently by lots of people. Ironically one of the reasons for my divorce is realising that I’m a lesbian so suddenly finding myself being hit on by random blokes aged 20-60 has been very funny.

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 07:17

13RidgmontRoad · 06/07/2026 07:14

Similar to you OP - I’m 40 and I’m not conventionally attractive but since taking steps to end my marriage I’m being complimented and just looked at differently by lots of people. Ironically one of the reasons for my divorce is realising that I’m a lesbian so suddenly finding myself being hit on by random blokes aged 20-60 has been very funny.

Awww, wish you all the best

OP posts:
THisbackwithavengeance · 06/07/2026 07:28

Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 07:00

Have you moved? Sounds crazy but I’m invisible as a sixty year old woman for the most part, but there’s one UK city where I get hit on regularly.

Enjoy it!

Which city is this? Asking for a friend..

😎

Dolphinnoises · 06/07/2026 07:30

It’ll be because you’re happy - people can pick up the vibe. How lovely!

5128gap · 06/07/2026 07:34

Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 07:00

Have you moved? Sounds crazy but I’m invisible as a sixty year old woman for the most part, but there’s one UK city where I get hit on regularly.

Enjoy it!

Where is that...? Asking for a friend.😂

AImportantMermaid · 06/07/2026 07:39

When you’re happy you glow. You start taking better care of yourself and there’s a spring in your step. You smile and laugh more and are probably more likely to chat and make eye contact. Happiness and feeling well manifest themselves in a thousand different tiny ways and taken together they can be magnetic. It’s nothing to do with age, or shape, or size. It’s to do with feeling happy and confident in your own skin.

EnterQueene · 06/07/2026 08:14

It'll be because your having great sex - that brings out an inner glow like nothing else. I think people release pheromones or something woo when they are getting regular orgasms that makes them more attractive. We radiate a bit after a decent shag.

Mycatmax · 06/07/2026 08:44

THisbackwithavengeance · 06/07/2026 07:28

Which city is this? Asking for a friend..

😎

London!! It really is the strangest thing!

dancingdeidre · 06/07/2026 08:46

Waterlilyy · 06/07/2026 06:53

No to be honest I have put it on! I spent 17 years in a rubbish marriage which ended 3 years ago and completely lost myself. I have recently met a great guy who treats me so well and it must just show.

That's it, of course. You are in lurve, or something close to that, and it shows in your hair, skin and body language. Enjoy.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread