For years I had a weekly hair salon appointment. I used chemicals and heat to straighten my hair, believing that as a Black woman physician, it was the only way I'd be deemed "professional" enough and taken seriously.
One day after noticing the damage the constant straightening was doing to my hair, I finally had enough. I realized I was sacrificing the health of my hair, the lifestyle I wanted to live, and my authentic self to avoid the discomfort of other people's judgments.
Not worth it! So I decided to take the leap and permanently loc my hair a few weeks ago.
At first, I was nervous; what would people, especially patients and colleagues think? In truth, I still may face judgment by some. But what I care about far more is the sense of freedom and I pride I've gained by wearing my hair in a way that I love and works best for me.
I share this story because I know many women physicians feel unable to show up authentically in medicine and the world. There are so many messages that tell us we have to look like the majority to be perceived as good enough. But I'm at a place (and perhaps you are too?) where living authentically is so much better than trying to fit someone else's mold.
This goes for hair, yes, but also all the things that make us uniquely amazing.
I've met too many women physicians who have spent decades living in the box of what everyone else expects of them. But I've learned that being true to yourself is worth the discomfort of stepping outside the box.
If you agree, let me know below. And if you need help building the confidence to show up as the real you, so you can live a life that feels as good inside as it looks on the outside click the link in comments below to set up a call with me. I'd love to help. 💜
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Here you go: 📍https://riverside.fm/studio/stephanie-gillis-paulgaards-studio (also streaming on LinkedIn and Youtube)