Mama Bear Moxie: Finding silver lining in going natural

Over the past year, I have been working a lot on positive body image. I have met with a counselor as to why I think the way that I do, as well as joined an online community of others who want to make healthy choices. I have found myself doing less of what the world says I should do and more of what I want to do.

And it’s been amazing.

One of the main parts of this has been wearing less makeup. I have always gravitated toward a more natural look but have found myself wearing makeup only once or twice a week. Instead, I have come to love my natural face and have invested more in high-quality skin care products that help my skin rather than cover it up.

The sans makeup idea was a bit hard to stomach at first. I would question my decision to go to the store without a drop of makeup. I still sometimes catch myself wondering if my natural face is acceptable at a board meeting.

Which, of course, it totally is.

I am loving the recent trend of women who are choosing to forgo the idea that we have to cover up to be presentable.

Which brings me to Silver Sisters. I first noticed that I had gray hair at the young age of 18. It was just a few hairs here and there but nothing that I was worried about. As I had kids, the gray definitely developed, but it was still something that wasn’t too noticeable. I started professionally coloring my hair probably 10 years ago with the goal of covering up the gray.

As my gray has continued to grow, it is very obvious that my natural hair color is probably a bit grayer now than it is brown. My husband has encouraged me to grow out the gray while I have been hesitant to do so.

I mean, I’m only 35 years old. I feel like a head of gray hair is for those women who are at least a decade older than me. However, I also am on this natural quest to accept my body for what it is and stop trying to cover it up to be accepted in this world. And if my hair is already gray, no matter my age, why shouldn’t I accept it as part of who I am?

Silver Sisters is an online group of women who embrace their gray hair. While many of the women are older than me, there are a few that are in their 20s and 30s with gray hair. The growing-out process is difficult, as their natural roots are so much different than their colored ends. I guess that is what I am having the hardest time with.

I am still conflicted about going gray and joining the Silver Sisterhood. Are there any other Silver Sisters out there? If so, how has the process gone for you?