baldies: Nicole Neal
“ there is something poetically beautiful in starting over, and once I realized that I went from feeling anxious to feeling fierce and proud”
name: Nicole Neal
social media :@callme_cole23
How long have you been a self-proclaimed baldie?
I recently cut my hair about two weeks ago.
Did anyone inspire you to cut your hair? (include @ name if possible)
Yes I was inspired by @mrs_tahirah I love how fierce she is and how she makes being a baldie so beautiful. I’ve always thought about it and seeing her accept the bald life years now has inspired me to accept it as well.
What made you decide to cut your hair?
I’ve wanted a fresh start for a year or so now. I love my natural hair texture and how it looks in its natural state, I just didn’t know how to manage it on my own, so I kept over processing it till finally I got to the point where enough was enough and chopped it all off.
What reservations/fears did you have about cutting your hair?
I was and still am nervous about what my family will think and I was very nervous about what my boyfriend would think. He needed up loving it so I hope my family does as well. I’ve also always had somewhat longer hair, so going from a lot of hair to no hair was a big leap for me and that alone terrified me.
How did you prepare yourself for your hair cut?
I had to keep telling myself it’s hair and it will grow back if I hate it. I didn’t do a full ritual to prepare myself, I figured the more I over think it the longer it will talk me to just do it. The next morning I woke up walked into a barber shop and just did it. At the end of the day I realized I cannot truly prepare my self to do something most black women are terrified to do. Our hair is who we are striving for it to be healthy and long is what we all desire. I just had to stop thinking that way and tell myself that bald is beautiful!
What was your initial reaction to seeing yourself with short hair?
I cried the day after, because I had realized what I had done and the fear set in that my parents wouldn’t approve of the change. However there is something poetically beautiful in starting over, and once I realized that I went from feeling anxious to feeling fierce and proud.
Did cutting your hair symbolize anything to you?
Yes, it symbolized a fresh start in every aspect of my life.
I started a awesome new job and moved into a new place, got a new car etc. This was the year of new beginnings, so why not finish it off with a new hair style.
Do you plan on ever growing your hair back out?
Yes, I like the short hair, but I haven’t decided yet on how long I will continue the maintenance in keeping it short. I want long hair again at some point, but I truly don’t mind if that point doesn’t come anytime soon.
Did cutting your hair hurt or help your self-confidence?
It helped! I feel free and alive for some odd reason. It’s like after cutting my hair I was able to let go of a lot of the insecurities I have about the rest of who I am. I was able to focus on how this hair cut can better my life and cut time off of my morning routine.
Do you regret your decision at all?
No I don’t I had a reason for doing it so I did it. I think if I had never done it, then I would regret it. It’s better to try than not try at all. I am happy with the choice I made and would recommend that every women try it at least once in their lifetime. It’s a whole other world out there for bald beautiful women.