Nick's Story: Fear of being judged
It was the summer after I graduated from college, and I had just landed my dream job at a prestigious law firm. Everything was falling into place, except for one thing: my hair. I had been gradually losing it since my early twenties, and now at the age of 26, I was almost completely bald.
I knew that being bald wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I couldn't help feeling self-conscious about it. I was especially worried about how my new colleagues would react. I had read enough articles to know that baldness could be viewed as a sign of weakness or aging, and I didn't want to give anyone the wrong impression.
On my first day of work, I woke up extra early to carefully style what little hair I had left. I put on my best suit and tie, practiced my firm handshake, and headed to the office. When I arrived, I was greeted by my new boss, a tall and imposing man with a full head of thick, lustrous hair. He shook my hand and welcomed me to the team, but I couldn't help noticing the quick glance he gave my hairline.
As the days went by, I tried my best to focus on my work and not let my baldness get in the way. But every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror or saw one of my colleagues running their fingers through their hair, I felt a twinge of insecurity. I started to wear hats more often, even indoors, and avoided any situation where my baldness might be exposed.
It wasn't until a few months into the job that I realized I had been letting my fear of being bald take over my life. I had been so preoccupied with hiding it and worrying about what others thought, that I had forgotten what was truly important: doing good work and being a kind, supportive colleague. I decided to take a step back and re-evaluate my priorities.
I started by talking to my boss about my concerns. To my surprise, he was sympathetic and understanding. He shared with me that he had once been in my shoes, and that his success at the firm had nothing to do with his hair. He encouraged me to embrace my baldness and focus on my work, just like he had done.
From that day forward, I made a conscious effort to let go of my fear of being bald. I stopped wearing hats indoors and started participating in team activities more often. I even joined the company softball team and proudly wore my bald head under the sun. And you know what? No one cared. My colleagues saw me for who I was, not for the amount of hair on my head.
Today, I'm still bald, but I'm no longer afraid of it. In fact, I've come to embrace it as part of my identity. I know that my worth as a person and a colleague has nothing to do with my hair, and I'm grateful for the experience that taught me that lesson.
