Alopecia World
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In control and loving it
4 months ago, I was in such a different place. My hair was dropping like crazy and I could no longer go out without any head covering. I was miserable and full of self-doubt and definitely not confident. I had just been laid off and admittedly a little afraid of getting back out into the workforce because of alopecia. I was worried and concerned. "How would I go to interviews?" "How would I take people looking at my wigs and wondering if it's my hair?" Such and similar questions permeated and consumed my mind. It was a horrible time.
I didn't really look. I kept in touch with my contacts in my old industry but didn't really start job searching. I convinced myself that something would turn up even though this industry was really quite small here in Singapore. The real reason that I didn't look was because I was afraid of venturing out. I was literally being held back by my hair. I went on a wonderful beach vacation in February and when I came back, I was still full of self-doubt and loathing. Really not helping myself get back into the game.
Then one day, after this huge meltdown with my boyfriend which was caused by me pushing him away because I felt he should be with someone more normal, I decided that it was enough. I didn't want this to control my life anymore. And I really didn't want to lose my boyfriend. I wanted to be in control. I googled, I searched and found Alopecia World where it was so comforting to find other women like myself. I didn't feel alone anymore. If she can do it, then so can I. I was inspired by all the beautiful and strong women on this site and decided I would also try to be supportive for others as well.
As the days went on, I started feeling positive, and happier. My boyfriend noticed a difference in my attitude. "You are so much happier and that makes me happy", he said to me out of the blue. That made me smile because I was really happy. For once, I felt in control. Aha, take that alopecia!
I started actively job searching in March, reevaluating my career direction and reformatted my resume and got down to business. I was focused and determined and nothing was going to stop me. I felt like me again. I started interviewing two weeks ago and then last Thursday I went in for an interview with a company I really wanted to work for. I felt confident and made the right connections. An hour after I left, I received an offer that I couldn't refuse.
I start work next week. And I couldn't be happier.
I didn't really look. I kept in touch with my contacts in my old industry but didn't really start job searching. I convinced myself that something would turn up even though this industry was really quite small here in Singapore. The real reason that I didn't look was because I was afraid of venturing out. I was literally being held back by my hair. I went on a wonderful beach vacation in February and when I came back, I was still full of self-doubt and loathing. Really not helping myself get back into the game.
Then one day, after this huge meltdown with my boyfriend which was caused by me pushing him away because I felt he should be with someone more normal, I decided that it was enough. I didn't want this to control my life anymore. And I really didn't want to lose my boyfriend. I wanted to be in control. I googled, I searched and found Alopecia World where it was so comforting to find other women like myself. I didn't feel alone anymore. If she can do it, then so can I. I was inspired by all the beautiful and strong women on this site and decided I would also try to be supportive for others as well.
As the days went on, I started feeling positive, and happier. My boyfriend noticed a difference in my attitude. "You are so much happier and that makes me happy", he said to me out of the blue. That made me smile because I was really happy. For once, I felt in control. Aha, take that alopecia!
I started actively job searching in March, reevaluating my career direction and reformatted my resume and got down to business. I was focused and determined and nothing was going to stop me. I felt like me again. I started interviewing two weeks ago and then last Thursday I went in for an interview with a company I really wanted to work for. I felt confident and made the right connections. An hour after I left, I received an offer that I couldn't refuse.
I start work next week. And I couldn't be happier.
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Comment by Jenna4 on April 17, 2010 at 8:44am
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Hi Clara! Sounds like everything is coming together for you, congratulation on the new job! My progression was very similar to yours and I think it is perfectly natural. We had to deal with the loss before we could accept and move on. For us, since our alopecia progressed so quickly, we had to learn to deal with it faster. I lost about 50% of my hair in 3 months. at 2 1/2 months I had to start wearing a wig to work.
Thank goodness for this website and all the strong supportive people here. It's amazing to me that total and complete strangers can offer so much to each other and never meet face to face. Technology is a wonderful thing!
Good luck with the new job! Embrace your new life - you'll never be the person you were before.
Take care,
Jenna
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Comment by Nadine E on April 17, 2010 at 1:04pm
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Congratulations on the new job Clara! Thanks for sharing your story - it's both lovely to read and incredibly inspirational!
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Comment by Keeley Tomlinson on April 17, 2010 at 4:51pm
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Congratulations! That's awesome!! I loved reading that! Thanks for sharing! :)
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Comment by Robert on April 18, 2010 at 1:05am
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Congratulations. Great story
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Comment by Pamela Rosse on April 18, 2010 at 1:12am
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Hi Clara, CONGRATULATIONS! The power of happy & positive thinking.
I love reading story's like yours, for you will never how many alopecian sisters & brothers you will touch & help.
Once again congratulations, for some reason after reading your story I kept having the Mary Tyler Moore theme song running through my head, "taking the world on with her smile".
You indeed are taking it on.
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Comment by Clara S. on April 18, 2010 at 6:54am
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Thanks everyone for all the kind comments and congratulations! :) I will be carrying all this positive thought with me during my first week of work!
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Comment by Kimberly Rolon on April 20, 2010 at 11:27am
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Yay!! Congrats!! Im so happy for you!!!! Inspirational :)
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