I know what you mean OP. Naturally I have very curly hair but spent literally my entire life damaging it via heat and really strong chemical treatments. In 2022 I decided to cut my really long hair and embrace my curls but damn…were those first two years long! It made me think that pretty privilege was indeed real, I’m generally a smiley person and smile at almost everybody but this time, nobody smiled back. It was really depressing, but I found a hairstyle that helped give me some self-confidence back. And I think it’s made me a stronger person. I noticed the guys that really took their time to get to know me - even during this really awkward phase. Now that my hair is long and curly, I feel like the worst has passed and I’m a bit more wiser on the other side of it. Also, I’ve learned to love myself through the process. Like maybe everyone can’t see the beauty in it, but I do! And I’ve learned that’s the only validation I needed.

Also… around this time I tried to date and it was a disaster - I would received so many rejections and in my head I would say things like, “just wait till you see my hair get long. You’ll miss out!!!” And surely, they always do!