That probably sounds silly.
But if you know, you know.
I haven't worn my hair up — actually up, crown fully exposed — since my early thirties.
That's over a decade of headbands.
Low buns.
"Half-up" styles that were really just camouflage.
But last week I was running late for work.
Didn't have time to fuss with it.
So I just... pulled it back.
And then I looked in the mirror.
And I didn't take it down.
My crown isn't perfect.
I'm not pretending it is.
But there's coverage now.
Density where there used to be nothing but scalp.
Those baby hairs have grown into actual length.
I wore that ponytail all day.
Nobody stared.
Nobody whispered.
Nobody's eyes flicked up to my crown with that look I used to dread.
I actually forgot about it by lunchtime.
Forgot about my hair.
Do you know how long it's been since I've been able to do that?