I’ve Been Daydreaming About Cutting My Hair Off

The Story Behind Birna’s Hair Donation

There are several reasons—a whole process—behind my donation.

Since my teenage years, I have been very fond of and proud of my long, thick hair and have identified strongly with it.

A Song to Help Me Along the Way

This summer, at 28, I became single again after having had two different partners over the past five years. Since then, I’ve had to learn how to rest in being single, and I’ve listened a lot to a song called Alaska by Maggie Rogers. She sings:

"Cut my hair so I could rock back and forth

Without thinking of you

Learned to talk and say

Whatever I wanted to"

Those lyrics have inspired me, and I’ve been daydreaming about cutting my hair off. In January, one of my fellow students told me that she had donated her hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

At that moment, the decision was made. It no longer made sense for me to walk around with all that hair when it could bring joy to someone else who truly needs it.

But then life went on, and I didn’t really get around to doing it. Until I had to isolate at home because of a cold and became restless enough to finally do it.

Here’s a little update on how I’m feeling afterwards...

I really surprised myself by actually going through with it. It’s taken a few days for it to sink in and to get used to it.

Now, a week later, I’m absolutely thrilled with my new hair and feel lighter. I literally am too—by 134 grams. I’m left with a greater sense of self-respect and pride in the courage it took.

Here is Brina with her new hair. She looks absolutely wonderful ❤