What Letting Go of Dye Freed Me Up to Do
I used to schedule my life around my roots
Vacations, events, even simple nights out—I’d always count backward to make sure I could squeeze in a salon appointment or touch up my roots at home. If I couldn’t, the anxiety would creep in. Would my part look patchy? Would it show in photos? Should I pack root spray… just in case?
When I say going gray has been liberating, this is exactly what I mean.
No more planning life around my next root touch-up
Packing for trips over the last six months has felt like stepping into a new version of myself. I’m no longer building itineraries around salon visits or panicking about how fast my roots are growing in. I just toss on a comfy travel outfit, do a quick makeup touch-up in the hotel bathroom—and that’s it. I don’t think twice about my hair (other than making sure it’s brushed).
My gray hair is just… there. Present. Unbothered. And so am I.
That kind of freedom—the kind where you stop micromanaging your reflection—has been one of the biggest surprises in this journey.
The ripple effect of one choice
Once I stopped coloring my hair, the ripple effect came fast. I started traveling lighter—literally and emotionally. No sprays. No kits. No stress. I said yes to more spontaneous weekends. I stopped checking the calendar for “root emergencies.” I started showing up, even when the lighting wasn’t forgiving.
Choosing not to dye my hair gave me back time, energy, and ease.
That’s the energy I now carry with me when traveling. It’s the mindset I bring with me now—wherever I go. I’m no longer editing myself down to fit a version of beauty I’ve outgrown.
This is what living life beyond the dye looks like for me
It’s not about letting myself go—it’s about letting go of what no longer serves me. The pressure. The timelines. The constant internal whisper: “Fix it before anyone notices.”
Now, I move through the world differently. I feel like myself—even when the grays show, even when they really show. This version of me feels more grounded, more curious, more open.
And yes, more liberated.
Every step we take is a step toward our true selves.
Thanks for walking part of this path with me.
🩶 Meesh
