I went bald to my brother’s wedding because the wig was hurting me

Dear Delyara, Alopecia took almost all of my hair over six years. I wore wigs everywhere, including at home if I knew someone might visit. My brother’s wedding was outdoors, the heat was unbearable, and before the ceremony even began, the wig was scratching my scalp and giving me a headache. I went into the bathroom and stared at myself for a long time. I had spent six years choosing other people’s comfort over my own because I was afraid a bald woman would make them stare, ask questions, pity me. That afternoon, I removed the wig. I held it in my hands for several minutes before putting it inside my bag. Walking back into the reception felt like stepping onto a stage I had not agreed to perform on. People did stare. One aunt asked whether I was sick. Another person told me I was “brave,” which irritated me. Then the wedding continued. Food arrived. Music started. My brother pulled me onto the dance floor. In the photographs, my scalp is completely visible. When they arrived, I zoomed in automatically, then noticed my brother’s arm around my shoulders and my own face laughing. Self-love did not mean I threw away every wig. I still enjoy them sometimes. It meant discovering that I could also remove one because my comfort was allowed to matter even when other people had not been given time to prepare for the sight of me.