This is incredible, thank you so much for modeling vulnerability and authenticity here. there are parts of me I try to keep hidden that felt so seen and affirmed as I read. I was brought back to pre-pandemic times when I first got my own alopecia diagnosis of what’s known as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. I appreciate this offering and invitation. 💞💞
thank you sis! so glad you felt see and affirmed as you read, and thank you for sharing about getting your diagnosis, what a time to get it too. much love 💜
nice - this powerfully captures the deep emotional struggle with hair loss and the intergenerational shame that comes with it. I really liked the way you integrated the support from your community and the inspiration you draw from figures like Supriya Surender and Neehar Sachdeva. It’s a compelling reminder of how personal pain can transform into empowerment through connection and representation. It conveys a journey from concealment to embracing one’s identity with dignity and pride very eloquently.
Chetna, thank you for sharing so vulnerably. I feel like this year you have been such a model of vulnerability and play for me. Last night I was thinking about the time you came to open Mic and sang a song which is not your “normal” creative outlet. You sang like a child, joyful and (seemingly) uncaring of what we thought. Hearing the nervousness in your voice then and now seeing your balding head - on someone who I look up to so much and sometimes even put on a pedestal (!), these little moments help me and return to me in later moments when I remind myself that it’s okay to be raw. There was one time a couple years ago when you shared about shame and a skirt - I don’t remember it exactly - flying up and people looking aghast. I think about that and my own shame/vulnerability. It’s interesting how those two seem to go hand in hand.
Today one of the students (as happens often) asked me if I was a girl or a boy with my short hair. Your sharing made me realize that not everyone chooses to have short hair and that when students comment that way, it’s a moment to tell them that some people, all kinds of people, have short hair.
I used to have these conversations with my kindergartners in LA so proudly but now that I live in a conservative area where there is less diversity of expression, I feel less confident owning my choice to have short hair.
I will say that whether or not short hair is chosen for women, there is something so brave about it. At my queer affirming and women in leadership affirming church - almost all the women (in hetero relationships and not) have short hair. I always have a glimmer when I see this.
Each woman who has short hair - has a reason. For many, It’s an intentional choice because it’s not the norm (I mean it is kinda becoming more normal…but for many cultures it’s a rebellious act.)
Thank you thank you for your sharing. For “taking the wig off” and being you - baldness and all.
Last thing, there is something so strong about tenderness and weakness. It’s as if in our “weakness” our strength is made even stronger.
😭😭😭
This is incredible, thank you so much for modeling vulnerability and authenticity here. there are parts of me I try to keep hidden that felt so seen and affirmed as I read. I was brought back to pre-pandemic times when I first got my own alopecia diagnosis of what’s known as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. I appreciate this offering and invitation. 💞💞
thank you sis! so glad you felt see and affirmed as you read, and thank you for sharing about getting your diagnosis, what a time to get it too. much love 💜
nice - this powerfully captures the deep emotional struggle with hair loss and the intergenerational shame that comes with it. I really liked the way you integrated the support from your community and the inspiration you draw from figures like Supriya Surender and Neehar Sachdeva. It’s a compelling reminder of how personal pain can transform into empowerment through connection and representation. It conveys a journey from concealment to embracing one’s identity with dignity and pride very eloquently.
thank you bing, i appreciate your reflections 💜
Beautiful, vulnerable, powerful, dear Chetna! Thank you for this honest and incredible piece. Love you!
love you shilpa! thank you thank you thank you for your love and support here and beyond!!!
Chetna, thank you for sharing so vulnerably. I feel like this year you have been such a model of vulnerability and play for me. Last night I was thinking about the time you came to open Mic and sang a song which is not your “normal” creative outlet. You sang like a child, joyful and (seemingly) uncaring of what we thought. Hearing the nervousness in your voice then and now seeing your balding head - on someone who I look up to so much and sometimes even put on a pedestal (!), these little moments help me and return to me in later moments when I remind myself that it’s okay to be raw. There was one time a couple years ago when you shared about shame and a skirt - I don’t remember it exactly - flying up and people looking aghast. I think about that and my own shame/vulnerability. It’s interesting how those two seem to go hand in hand.
Today one of the students (as happens often) asked me if I was a girl or a boy with my short hair. Your sharing made me realize that not everyone chooses to have short hair and that when students comment that way, it’s a moment to tell them that some people, all kinds of people, have short hair.
I used to have these conversations with my kindergartners in LA so proudly but now that I live in a conservative area where there is less diversity of expression, I feel less confident owning my choice to have short hair.
I will say that whether or not short hair is chosen for women, there is something so brave about it. At my queer affirming and women in leadership affirming church - almost all the women (in hetero relationships and not) have short hair. I always have a glimmer when I see this.
Each woman who has short hair - has a reason. For many, It’s an intentional choice because it’s not the norm (I mean it is kinda becoming more normal…but for many cultures it’s a rebellious act.)
Thank you thank you for your sharing. For “taking the wig off” and being you - baldness and all.
Last thing, there is something so strong about tenderness and weakness. It’s as if in our “weakness” our strength is made even stronger.
I love you Chetna! Thank you again. 💕
love you, natalie 💜 Thank you for sharing all this. we're all out here just humaning 🙄 and navigating our own stuff (seen and unseen), isn't it?!