Standing in the school playground, I keep my eyes focused on the classroom door, waiting to collect my son. ‘There she is – the footballer’s wife!’ I hear another mum snigger. They’d given me that nickname as I always look glamorous, my hair and make-up immaculate, even for the school run. I smile politely and pull my dark glasses down over my eyes. I don’t care what they think. It has taken me years to become this resilient though, and to realise that often, women just dislike me.
I haven’t always been singled out for my looks. At primary school, I was outgoing and popular, and had lots of friends, but when I started secondary school, people’s perceptions of me began to change.
With two older sisters, I loved getting dressed up and playing with make-up, and while other girls my age felt awkward about their pre-teen bodies and wanting to look pretty, I didn’t have the same insecurities. I felt happy and confident with who I was.
‘She thinks she’s something special,’ girls whispered behind my back. Suddenly, my friends began to distance themselves from me and I found myself being isolated. I couldn’t understand it – I hadn’t changed as a person, I was still the same confident, friendly girl I’d always been. ‘They’re just jealous of how pretty you are,’ my mum told me.
BLENDING IN
Eventually, aged 14, I moved to a new school and, in order to fit in, tried to hold back some of my personality.
Esta historia es de la edición March 06, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 06, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories