I’d spent the last few years stressing about what will they think about me

D

uring my high school years, I found myself beginning a gradual process of reassessment. Everywhere I turned, everyone was trying to fit in. It bothered me. Did it really matter? Did it really make a difference? The changes were slow, but I started wearing less black and more color. My clothing was still tzniyusdig and refined, but I didn’t feel like wearing only black anymore. I also grew out my hair, which I’d cut into side-bangs in order to fit in. Eventually I even stopped ironing my hair. Hashem made me with curly hair, and I liked it! Straightening my hair took so much time. It was ruining my hair, and I didn’t even love how I looked. I relaxed and became more comfortable with myself, happy to be my own person without constantly looking over my shoulder, worrying what people were going to think or say about me.