Living Dear MitchBald Coming Out Day Proposed

Bald Coming Out Day Proposed

Written By : Mitch Newman12 November 2010

Woman with Alopecia areata challenges those with hair loss to come out of the baldness closet.

I’m a bald woman. I was diagnosed with Alopecia areata and have lost most of my hair. And you know what? I say to hell with wigs and scarves! I refuse to hide any longer. The gay, lesbian and transgender people challenge others like them to “come out of the closet” to make themselves seen in the great numbers there are, reasoning that it is better for everyone. I agree with them therefore think there should be a national coming-out day for women suffering from hair loss. Ditch the hats, ditch the wigs, ditch the scarves. Come to think of it, we should include bald men, too. The economy may be harmed a little when the hair loss industry tanks, but maybe, just maybe, it will be a better world of acceptance and love of other people and ourselves. Is this possible in real life or only as a Disney movie with a Disney ending?

— Cyndy, Ashland, OR

Dear Cyndy –
As the father of two little girls, I am all for a Disney movie with a Disney ending, especially when the outcome is greater love and acceptance of all, regardless of race, creed or amount of hair on their head. What you’re suggesting is a very empowering approach, yet it isn’t going to be the be-all and end-all for everyone.
A national coming-out day could be a relief and a release for many, but that doesn’t put an end to the daily challenge that each person faces on an internal level, which is about self-acceptance, self-worth and self-esteem. Acceptance is about making peace with a certain reality in your life. That doesn’t mean that people go without hair and the hair industry tanks. Many will always prefer to wear hair simply because they like themselves with hair as opposed to not. It’s like saying "I like myself naked but those pants look really good on me!".
Whenever we look at a situation like this, there are the internal and external realities for us to face. And they may be slightly different for each of us. Don’t get me wrong, I think what you’re suggesting would go a long way for people who have been in hiding for many years, who haven’t done any work on themselves either internally or externally, so the coming together of thousands experiencing a similar challenge could be uplifting. There is tremendous power when we know that what we’re experiencing is not exclusive to us, that others face similar challenges. It would greatly help to stop the isolation. Yet we really need to take it one step further and teach everyone about choice, personal preference, loss, acceptance, gratitude and forgiveness. Hair loss for many is really the catalyst for much larger issues that need to be addressed in a person’s life. I wouldn’t be surprised if your idea took wings and one of your major sponsors was HairLoss.com! Best of luck to you.

Dear Mitch is written by “The Relationship Coach”, also known as Mitch Newman, M.A.. Write Dear Mitch at DearMitch@hairloss.com or follow this link to fill out a form. Every letter is carefully reviewed but because of the large numbers of letters we receive, not every letter can be answered.

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