So after much hemming and hawing I decided in a very non decisive way to start a Twitter account for The Women’s Hair Loss Project. While I never started one before for various reasons, recently I have found myself out and about having funny and/ or interesting ( I think ) thoughts that would be great to share on a platform like Twitter. I also often run across interesting articles related to hair loss that I don’t have time to blog about, but would make for a perfect quick “tweet.” I’m a private person, like an uber private person, so that has always kept me away from social networks, that, along with the thought of wondering how many women dealing with hair loss would want to “follow” a hair loss twitter page. I have no idea, and I understand completely if no one does. I did try and make the page as nondescript as possible making sure not to include anything “hair loss” in the name, website, icon or background. It is possible that the WHLP could be broadened by Twitter and perhaps more women needing help and support could find us. This is really more of a Twitter test run, because who knows, I could delete it next week, so don’t be surprised if go to the link one day and it says, “Page Not Found.” Here it is, with my lonely first tweet LOL: https://twitter.com/whlpnetwork
Now on to the fun stuff… boobs and wigs. Now how the heck did I tie these together? I’ve recently been thinking about why there is such a stigma associated with wigs, or any hair that is worn that isn’t the universally accepted, “extensions.” Women can proudly can get breast implants and even be commended for doing something for themselves, but talk about wearing hair out of necessity and you get looked at like you have 3 heads. “Why ever would you want to WEAR a WIG?” hummmm…. thinking of a reply, ” Oh it’s just something I’ve always dreamed about, ever since I was a little girl. I had hoped and prayed my hair would just started falling out when I was 21 and then I knew that perfect moment would come at 34 years of age when I would have so little hair I HAD to wear a wig.” How’s that for an answer?
Why is wearing hair not accepted universally like breast implants, or veneers? People make those cosmetic changes because they want to feel better about themselves, JUST like needing to wear hair. I am definitely on the smaller side of the bra chart , but I’ve never felt self conscious about it, I’ve actually always embraced and loved my small chest, but I also understand and think it’s great when women want to get implants or new teeth for that matter. After all we have to live in these bodies, we should make them as comfortable to live in as possible, don’t cha think?
Weight gain… well this wig is making me fat! 🙂 Let me explain. Prior to getting the wig, I would stay home A LOT. I much preferred the couch to going out to a restaurant with my crappy hair having the spotlight under the harsh lighting of public establishments. But now, forget about it, I’m the first one out the door, in the car and buckled up. Who’s up for drinks? ME! I have a lot of living to do ya know? After all… I was in a prison cell of self loathing and despair for 13 years and now with the freedom this wig has provided me, I want to get out, be around people, look at myself 10 different ways in the harshest bathroom lighting and flip off the mirror as I walk away thinking, “I gotcha beat now biach.” The mirror was my enemy for so long and now it has become an ally. Yes, it’s true there is no light bright enough that can turn this smile into a frown. I open the sun roof in the car and deliberately try and catch all the red lights so I can stop and stare at the shiny gorgeous locks that at one time belonged to some lucky gal and now belong to me.
As you might imagine, all that going out and eating and drinking is going to eventually catch up – and alas it has. My butt and stomach protest this new addition to the family, as does the scale. Up 5 pounds. OH WELL! You know what, I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care. I’ll work it off in the gym…eventually. I am just enjoying living! I accept these pounds and embrace them ( as much as any woman possibly could ) whole heartedly as pounds of joy, because they are. They aren’t depressed pounds, you know the ones you get from sitting around the house feeling sad about what is happening. Actually, having said all that I should get back to the gym next week asap LOL. A few joyful pounds are okay, but I suppose I should nip this in the bud 🙂
XOXO
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I think a lot of women on twitter are dealing with hair loss and hair issues in general. I have been diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. As a black women, wigs and extensions are very socially acceptable. I’m currently having success with Rogaine and Aldactone and still have lots of hair. In the end you have to do “you”.
Oh, and I will follow you on Twitter. You have a great site.
I joined Twitter so I could follow you on it.
And I’m delighted you’re so thrilled with the wig!
You’ve come a long way baby!!! :)) I am so happy for your 5 new lbs 😉
LOVE your enthusiasm and joy! Bless you!
Thank you everyone for the support! It means so much to me. I never could be here, where I am today if it weren’t for the love and compassion of all the amazing women here. A million thank you’s!
xoxo
First, thank you so much for your website. When I feel my most depressed and desperate, I just reread every post on here. Please don’t ever take the site down even though you have found happiness with your wigs 🙂
Secondly, can you tell us WHICH OF THE WIGS is the one that has turned it around for you ?
I have got to get to that point before my children notice what a hermit Ive become 🙂
THANK YOU AGAIN. There are many of us who read every day but havent worked up the courage,or the reality, to write you .
@phillygrl – Don’t you worry, the site isn’t going anywhere, me getting a wig hasn’t changed my desire to continue to maintain the blog, network and community for women dealing with hair loss and myself. It is also important to note that getting a wig has helped me tremendously, beyond tremendously, but the hair loss is still there and always will be, I accept that, and want to continuously work to move myself past the suffering it has caused, but I am still a woman with hair loss and will always have plenty to say about it 🙂 The wig that ended up being by BFF was the Follea wig.. or as I refer to her, Natalia, the rest of my wigs are currently in a sad hair pile (I was trying all them on the other day) that I have to put away because my family is coming over for 4th of July 🙂 This wig was the closest to my natural former hair (pre-hair) in texture and color. I told my parents about the wig early on, but the rest of my family, brothers and sister in laws, sister in law’s parents, haven’t noticed a thing. That’s how close a match it is. Makes you realize how little people really pain attention to our hair. We pay attention because it bothers us, they are probably paying attention to what bothers them. I had lunch with my brother today and was considering telling him, but I just didn’t know how to bring it up. I know for a fact if I’m asked by a close friend or family members that I’ll immediately discuss it, but I’m not being asked, no one is looking — so I just ate my salad and talked about other stuff.
I’m glad you have found comfort here, and please take heart in knowing the WHLP is here to stay. This probably will seem nutty to some people, but a long time ago I told my fiancé that if I for some reason (god forbid) died, to just keep the site running for all the women who need this home. That’s how important it is to me. Having hair loss changed my life, it robbed me of more than a decade of my life. Having the ability to interact and write to all the women here, saved my life, gave ME hope and helped get me where I am today with my new BFF.
XOXO
so happy to read about your happiness. I used to fear restaurants with mirrors on the walls before I bought my wig last year. I am now on to wig number 2 and I love this one better than the first. It has provided me with a great freedom (I was battling trichtolilomania for until 4 years ago and now I am finding out that I have no new hair growth and not enough money/insurance to find out why). The only place my wig has not been is on a whale watch. I am afraid of loosing it. Now that I have 2 I will wear the old one on the boat and bring a bandana just in case.