I quit shaving my body hair over a year ago, and aside from the occasional trim, I haven’t looked back. As easy as I make it sound, it was an arduous decision. I had to wonder whether strangers would think I’m gross, how my family would handle the decision, and if my partner would still find me attractive.
Embarrassingly enough, it was one of the most grueling decisions I’ve made. Here are my reasons for doing it.
1. It’s easier to manage.
I do a quick trim here and there, but there’s no tedious shaving or ghastly razor burn. I used to spend hours meticulously shaving my legs, my pubic hair, my armpits, and sometimes even my arms. My leg hair doesn’t grow long enough to need a trim, and my armpit and pubic hair grows slowly enough that trimming is a monthly occasion.
2. I feel prettier.
I know, I couldn’t believe it either. When I first stopped shaving my armpits (they were the first to go), I thought I looked disgusting. But it became something I liked about myself. I wasn’t conforming to an unfair beauty standard that not all women can uphold, and I was doing it for myself, no matter what my family thought (they thought I was making a feminist statement.)
3. It helped me realize that my body is my own.
I don’t owe my body to anyone. Not to society, not to my partner, not to my family. I can decide what to do with my body and how to treat it, and if that means letting my pubic hair grow out, that’s okay. I’m allowed to present my body how I want. It took not shaving to learn that, and I’m grateful.
I stopped shaving over a year ago. It started with a rash – and although I wish I’d come to the decision more organically than being prompted by my body telling me something was wrong, I’m glad that it happened. Because I find it easier to manage, feel prettier, and own my body, I’m glad that I stopped shaving.
For the women who still shave and find themselves pretty and own their bodies – great! I applaud all women who come to these conclusions. It took not shaving for me to make these realizations, but I know plenty of women who feel this way and still remove their body hair. I’ll never judge a woman for that.
As for me, shaving just wasn’t right. I’m proud to be razor-free. If you’ve never thought about it before, I urge you to reconsider your reasons for shaving, and make the decision for you.
Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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