Me + My Wig
For many years, wearing a wig was not just a choice but a necessity for me. As someone who has grown up with no hair, due to a condition called Monilethrix, wearing a wig became a routine part of my daily life. However, what started as a solution to protect my baldness soon evolved into a complex relationship with my identity. Particularly, in relation to my femininity. Having grown up at a time where gendered behaviours were more normative and less expansive, my lack of natural hair caused me to believe that I couldn’t truly attain the beauty standards created by society.
At first, wearing a wig felt like a shield, protecting me from the stares and judgments of others. It allowed me to blend in and conform to societal standards of beauty. But beneath the facade of glossy strands lay a sense of disconnection from my true self. Each time I put on my wig, I felt like I was hiding a part of who I was, burying my authenticity beneath.
As time passed, I began to realise that wearing a wig was not just a physical act but a reflection of my internal struggles with self-acceptance. The more I relied on the wig to define my identity, the further I strayed from embracing my baldness as a natural part of myself. It became a symbol of shame and insecurity, a constant reminder of the parts of me I wished to conceal.
It wasn’t until I discovered yoga that I began to unravel the layers of self-doubt and fear that had accumulated over the years. Yoga became my sanctuary, a space where I could explore my body and mind with compassion and curiosity. Through asana practice, breathwork, and meditation, I learned to cultivate a deeper connection to myself and the world around me.
Yoga taught me to embrace my body as it is, without judgment or expectation. It offered me a pathway to find comfort in my natural state, including my baldness. With each breath, I felt a sense of acceptance and gratitude for the body that carried me through life’s challenges and triumphs.
As I continued my yoga journey, I noticed a shift in how I viewed my baldness. Instead of seeing it as a flaw to be hidden, I began to see it as a badge of courage and resilience. It was a reminder of the battles I had fought and the strength I had gained along the way. My bald head didn’t have to define my identity, especially if I didn’t let it.
Yoga became the most influential tool in my journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment. It taught me that true beauty lies not in conforming to societal standards but in embracing our authentic selves, fears and all. Through yoga, I found the courage to shed the layers of insecurity and shame that had held me back for so long.
Today, I no longer rely on a wig to define my identity. Instead, I proudly embrace my baldness as a symbol of authenticity and self-love. Yoga has taught me that true beauty radiates from within, and that the greatest transformation occurs when we learn to love ourselves, unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I now embrace both my wig and my baldness as symbols of strength and beauty. I have the choice to go bald or wear a wig and with choice comes happiness and the freedom of my expression. Femininity is not defined by hair, beauty or body image – it is what you choose it to be. I now choose to wear a wig, and I choose to not wear one – I’ve finally regained my agency and capacity to make a choice.
