Reflections on Hair & Courage

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by Isis Smalls

Reading Time: 1.5 Minutes

Isis Smalls_Headshot.jpeg

The other day an awesome woman commented that it was courageous for me to rock short hair. She felt like it was an example to the young women I speak to to be true to themselves. 😍 But if I can be honest, I cut my hair out of necessity. The decision to KEEP it short though, now yes, THAT took courage...a whole lot of courage for me. 

Slipping in weave or rocking a wig to escape the discomfort definitely crossed my mind b/c I felt so “naked” and “exposed.” But it was precisely because I felt those thoughts that I knew I had to walk this out. I had to ask myself: “Since when did I allow my hair to define me?” I realized I had been “hiding” for way too long and that my understanding of my beauty was starting to be influenced by a changing image on the outside.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with weaves, wigs, lashes, makeup, contacts, hair dying, and other things women do to accentuate, compliment, or express themselves. I expect and give myself complete and full permission to indulge in any of this in the future with no qualms about it. Trust me! 💁🏽‍♀️ 💄👠💋🙋🏽‍♀️

But it’s now my challenge to myself that moving forward, those decisions aren’t to be made out of insecurity! They can’t be made out of an attempt to “hide” or “cover up.” 

My choices will be made mindfully, knowing that I am beautiful and I am enough WITH or WITHOUT it.

My choices will be made intentionally, understanding that what I preach I will also practice.

My choices will be made purposefully, doing everything to please myself and not for the approval, applause, or acceptance of others.

This is my commitment today. It’s about me being true to me and you being true to you. Everything added is just bonus, not a requirement for us to walk in confidence. 

Happy Women’s History Month! And, shout-out to the dream team who captured this moment: Steven Grant of GrantFoto (📸Photo), Dolores Brown of Beyond Hair Salon (Hair 💇🏽‍♀️, Misty Rockwell (MUA💄).

#IWD2020

#WomensHistoryMonth

#CourageouslyBeautiful

#BeautyintheMaking