Earlier this year, I conducted a 7-month-long self discovery experiment on not shaving. I kept my le

Earlier this year, I conducted a 7-month-long self discovery experiment on not shaving. I kept my legs covered most of the time but I really wanted to push myself through the uncomfortable feeling and feel normal in my natural state! I just really wanted to fight the stupid gendered and unnecessary bull that is expected of females. And so I did. I went out multiple times, leg hair on display, and gained confidence each time. I’ve never really made an effort to keep my legs bare but this was the next step up. I am a firm believer in all people being able to make their own decisions on their bodies.  Think body hair is gross? Blame society, blame the media, make your own decision. Question the way your mind works, fight what you know. I was made fun of for my body hair from 2nd grade on–2nd grade! My arms were quite hairy so I would wear a sweater every day in the hot classroom until I was questioned by a teacher about it. I started shaving my legs and underarms in 5th grade. I started waxing my eyebrows when I was in 6th or 7th grade. In 8th grade my friends made fun of my belly fuzz so I started shaving that too. Why do so few people see this as an issue? Why should a 7 year old girl have to focus covering up her arms and overheat rather than learn in the classroom? Why does a 12 year old girl have to worry so much about keeping her eyebrow groomed or else somebody will comment on it? It’s disgusting. The only reason I ever removed any hair on my body was either because I WAS made fun of, or I was worried I WOULD be made fun of. Because being hairless is the norm. I always hated shaving and in high school I only did it every once in a while or when I was going to wear shorts. I remember a classmate seeing short hairs poke out of the hole on my jeans and calling it gross. I shrugged it off at that point although it still made me uncomfortable. After high school, I removed hair even less frequently. I shave every once in a while now but that’s the whole point of it. Do whatever the hell you want and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And for those who try to tell you that body hair is unlovable, tell them they can screw off. I’ve had a partner that has loved me in all of my naturalness for the better part of the last decade. Do what you want.