My Shaved Hair Journey: A Path to Empowerment and Self-Discovery

Original post June 2016

Anyone who knows me knows how much I like to change my hair, but I never thought I would ever want to take the decision to shave it all off.

Embarking on a shaved hair journey was about so much more than just cutting my hair—it was a bold step toward self-discovery, empowerment, and embracing my authentic self.

For me, it was a way to shed not just my hair but the societal expectations tied to it. This journey was transformative, and taught me invaluable lessons about courage, femininity, and letting go.

Why I Decided to Shave My Head

At the time, I felt trapped by the societal expectation that long hair equaled beauty and femininity. Something inside me was stirring—a desire for change, for freedom, and for authenticity. Shaving my head was my way of stepping away from those expectations and redefining what beauty and self-expression meant to me.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I asked myself all the questions: “Will I regret this?” “What will people think?” But ultimately, I knew this was something I needed to do for myself. It was a leap of faith, not into the unknown, but into myself.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Letting Go

I still remember the moment the clippers touched my head. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and freeing all at once. As I watched my hair fall away, I felt layers of self-doubt and insecurity being stripped away too.

Looking in the mirror afterward, I saw someone raw and real—someone I hadn’t fully met before. It was a moment of vulnerability but also incredible strength. That act of letting go taught me that sometimes, we have to shed something external to uncover what’s within.

As soon as my hair was short I experienced a mini early mid-life crisis. I realised that not only was a lot of my identity contained within my hair but so too was a lot of my femininity.

I lost a lot of my confidence,  panicked, threw out all my pretty skirts and dresses and walked around for a good few weeks in baggy t-shirts and shorts feeling utterly unattractive and miserable.

It took me a little while to realise that I didn’t need my hair to be a certain way to feel attractive or feminine.

I could still be elegant, soft and fully express myself without relying on longer hair. Once I realised and embraced this, I wanted to take this challenge further and further.

Lessons Learned From My Shaved Hair Journey

1. Beauty is Redefined: I realised that beauty isn’t tied to hair, makeup, or clothes—it’s about how you carry yourself and how you feel inside. Shaving my head helped me redefine what beauty meant for me.

   
   

2. Courage is a Muscle: The courage to shave my head didn’t come before the act—it grew as I went through it. This taught me that bravery often follows action, not the other way around.

   
   

3. Letting Go is Transformative: Letting go of my hair was symbolic of letting go of fears, expectations, and old ideas of myself. It created space for growth and self-discovery.

Reactions and Reflections

The reactions I received were as varied as you might imagine. Some people loved it, saying, “Wow, you look amazing!” Others tilted their heads and asked, “Why did you do that? You looked better with long hair.”

At first, those comments stung. But over time, they stopped bothering me. Why? Because I loved it. I felt more womanly, more powerful, and more me than I ever had before. This shaved hair journey wasn’t about pleasing anyone else—it was about finding and embracing myself.

Thanks for reading my story,

Laura x

2025 Update:

How This Journey Shaped Me

While I wasn’t thinking about becoming a coach in 2016, this experience planted the seeds for the work I do today. It taught me the value of letting go, embracing change, and stepping into your authentic self—lessons I now share with others through my coaching.

At the time, it was simply a personal journey. But looking back, I see how pivotal it was in shaping the person I’ve become and the values I hold dear.

A Call to ReflectI

f you’re considering your own shaved hair journey or any bold step toward self-discovery, I encourage you to trust yourself and take the leap. Growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zones.

P.s ......

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