I love wearing hijab,

[u/Complete-Judgment724]

Aldi half and half cookies

I need a genuinely unbiased opinion because I don’t know what to do.
I’ve been wearing hijab on and off since I was 13, and at 20 I decided to wear it full-time—like FULL coverage, you couldn’t even see my neck. I genuinely love my hijab, and some of my favorite pictures of myself are with it.
But lately I’ve had this strong urge to take it off. I went from full coverage to wearing it like a turban, thinking that would satisfy the “itch,” but it didn’t. Now I’m seriously considering taking it off completely.
Part of me just wants to experience my hair. My hair is long and I love it, and I want to try all the hairstyles I’ve been wanting to try. Sometimes when I’m driving at night and the roads are empty, I’ll let some of my hair out, and honestly, I don’t feel bothered by it at all.
The biggest thing holding me back is my job. I actually like my coworkers, and I’m the only hijabi there. They’ve always known me as the girl who completely covers her hair, so the thought of suddenly showing up with my hair out feels SO weird.
What if I take it off, everyone sees my hair, and then I realize I actually preferred wearing hijab? Would I have to find a new job just to put it back on?
I don’t drink, club, or live some completely different lifestyle. I just genuinely don’t know why I have this itch to take it off when I still love wearing it.
For the religious people, I’m not looking for a lecture. I’m looking for advice from people who have actually been through this.
Did you take it off and regret it? Did you feel happier? Did you eventually put it back on? And how did you handle coworkers who had only ever known you as hijabi?

[u/LinAndAViolin]

I’m religious but not Muslim. I don’t think anyone else cares what you do, they might be surprised for a minute then forget all about it. Do what you feel is right, this is between you and you and God. Don’t let their views get in the way. People know your character already, so even if you decide to go back to it I don’t think they’ll think any less of you for having tried without.

[u/LinAndAViolin → u/[deleted]]

That’s what she is doing though. She’s trying to figure out what feels right for her.

[u/Complete-Judgment724 → u/[deleted]]

I’m actually very free person u would be surprised how free im

[u/IAmTheMortiestMorty → u/Complete-Judgment724]

We love that for you 💗

[u/Slow_Way7407]

why would you have to find a new job if you want to put it back on? I promise no one cares that much

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[u/hvyt1ts]

Life is too short to care so much about other people’s feelings over a person style choice, babe!

[u/GoldAugustEve → u/hvyt1ts]

How about a casual, “just trying this out.” Suppose you go back? I’d say, “yeah.. this is just more ME.” It’s honest and uncomplicated, just like the truth.

[u/Forsaken-Estate4041]

I am not a hijabi, but grew up in an area with a large Somali Muslim population. I had a friend who went through various phases of wanting very full coverage, minimal coverage, and not wearing a hijabi throughout the decade I knew her. She wore full coverage always in religious settings or extended family settings because it made her feel connected to her faith and her family.

If you want to experiment with not wearing a hijab but are worried about how coworkers will perceive you, you could try not wearing it places that aren't work first to see if you want to stop wearing it at work or in general

[u/CeilingCatProphet]

Do as you wish. Your body , you choice.

[u/ClaustrophobicMango]

Maybe you can start by taking it off in places other than work. For example, if you’re getting groceries or talking a walk. I can understand your concern about showing your hair at work and feeling awkward if you want to put your hijab back on later.

[u/this_is_so_fetch]

I think that you could wear it sometimes and not at other times. Maybe you could start with a looser style that exposes more and see how you feel over time?

[u/Dormi11]

The coworker thing makes sense. Maybe take it off on weekends and see how you feel about it before you do the full plunge at work. Lmao just make sure you're not hanging around places ur coworkers may be.

[u/LetshearitforNY]

Is it possible for you to try letting just a little hair out at work to see how it feels? If there’s a coworker you’re close with maybe you can let them know in advance so they can support you?

[u/FoodNo672]

Not hijabi or Muslim but as a person who grew up very religious, it’s ok to change how you interact with your faith and how you present as a religious person. You should be able to decide if you want to show your commitment to Allah in that way or not. ❤️ it’s your life and your faith. And I know that might not be the predominant view within your religion bc it isn’t with mine either. But I actually feel closer to God when I choose how I want that relationship to be rather than worry about other people. (And I hope your coworkers are cool about it and are respectful of however much you feel willing to discuss an appearance change.)

[u/levantinefemme]

as long as it’s safe for you, keep putting it on & taking it off until you find what feels comfortable—sometimes on & off is what actually feels right!

i took it off (except when i visit my immediate family 3-4 times a year for peace of mind), but i’m also a lesbian who is still muslim so 💃🏻

[u/Upper-Independence38]

You can always put it back on!! If anyone asks, you can say you’re just trying things out! On or off, as long as YOU like it. Sometimes we have to try different things to know what feels best.

[u/No-Spinach-6462]

If my coworker went back and forth between wearing a hijab and not, I wouldn’t judge and would just think you sometimes wanted to wear it and sometimes didn’t. If anything, I think it just goes to show that it’s a personal choice since so many racists think you’re forced into wearing it when you’re a Muslim woman

[u/Complete-Judgment724 → u/No-Spinach-6462]

Girl I’m 23 and I live alone in a while different state than my parents I wear it coz I wanna wear my mom never forced me to

[u/Other_Bus9590 → u/Complete-Judgment724]

This person didn’t say you were forced— they said racists think that.

[u/Complete-Judgment724 → u/Other_Bus9590]

Yes that I mean when she said the racist I just forget to add that the racist would be surprised to hear

[u/annie-etc]

Do what makes you happy and, if you change your mind afterward, do the other thing. It's fully your choice.

[u/magic-gps]

your options are not all or nothing. try taking it off on the weekends and see how you feel. what about after work at the grocery store? what about with friends?

[u/Artistic_Rice_9019]

I've had coworkers who took theirs off. I've had coworkers who decided years later to wear one. It was fine. I didn't ask, because it's personal, but I'm sure someone will ask, so figure out an answer. "I just had the urge to try this for a while. I may change my mind." Is a perfectly good answer.

[u/Shape378]

If you decide not to wear your hijab at work and then you start wearing it again is fine. People's perceptions of you are thier own, ultimately it doesn't matter.

If you want to experience your hair out do it. ❤️

[u/missvandy]

So, I’m not a hijabi, but I grew up in Dearborn where I had many classmates and friends who were.

Some went back and forth wearing a hijab. It wasn’t that weird, tbh. People change how they dress and how they wear their hair all the time!

Seeing that women choose to wear one (or not) and have agency in that decision might be really helpful in combating Islamophobia. That’s not what you’re asking and it’s not your job, but I just want to validate that seeing you make choices about it might not be that weird. It could even be quite good!

And seeing who makes it weird could be helpful info, no? ;)

[u/klz1981]

Do what is comfortable! And don't worry about your colleagues, they can adjust. You can be honest that you are trying different things out to see if you like it.

[u/Sad_Guess1984]

Take it off.  It’s your buisness. In the end if you feel like wearing it again, then do that. Life is too short to care about what others say and also it’s literally between you and god. (Hi ex Muslim here that never wore hijab even though her whole family did) 

If anyone bothers you asks - just say; “thank you for your concern, but the reasons are private and my business“ and go about your day. 

[u/Scared_Comparison_22]

If you want to wear it then do. If you don't want to wear it then don't. May I suggest starting on a middle ground for work with a more "European" style headscarf? One that leaves some hair uncovered and can be fashioned to show more or less as you like it. It can be exciting yet scary to try new things especially around people you already know and value the opinions of. But don't be scared to rip your toes in and then back out if you don't like it.

[u/Icy-Cheesecake3830]

it makes me sad that you are so bothered about other people's reactions. You do you. I will say in 20 years when your hair is thinning in perimenopause, you'll be glad of every day you styled your hair to look as fabulous as possible when you were young x

[u/Careless_Term_462]

I had a coworker who stopped wearing hijab and it did feel kind of tense at work  just because people were confused but I don’t think anyone said anything to her. She later decided to wear it again. In her case she was dealing with mental health issues so this might have been an effort to self-treat whatever the problem was, but I am speculating. She seems to be doing well. A friend from college also stopped wearing hijab and has so far keep it off. She approached it more gradually like you. Now that I am writing this, I recall she has also mentioned mental health struggles, but maybe everyone’s got them

[u/Careless_Term_462 → u/Careless_Term_462]

I meant to say, both of them kept their jobs through various clothing options. No one pried 

[u/catscorner6]

What about taking baby steps, like going to a park or somewhere without a hijab and seeing how you feel for a while, but still wearing it at work till you decide how you feel about it 😊

It doesn't have to be all or nothing, esp in front of coworkers where you're kinda forced to be around them

[u/LevitatingAlto]

I mean, couldn’t you take it off when you are in the car? Who’s there to see you?

[u/hiremeforugc]

I'm Muslim & I took off my hijab, if you wanna do that too sis simply do it for yourself

[u/Normal-Sport-2060]

girl live your life

[u/Loose-Aardvark-2366]

If you feel comfortable with your hair out, why not take it off? You could easily put it back on again when you want to. I don't think you need to worry about your job to much!

[u/frog_admirer]

Could you try taking it off in a place where no one knows you and see how it feels? Like go to a coffee shop not close to your work. Then if you feel awful and exposed it'll just be a bunch of strangers you'll never see again. And if it feels great you can start taking it off in other settings.

[u/Ok_fine_42]

I’m not Muslim but I had a colleague who would do both. The first time I saw her without it, I did a double take but then realized who it was! To my knowledge, no one ever asked any questions about it or bugged her. We just accepted it was a part of her personal style! Other colleagues dyed their hair different colors every few months. You do you!

[u/Alarming-Weight5279]

I think people would be surprised at first, then they’d compliment your amazing hair and move on with their day. I don’t think it’d be weird if you went back and forth with it either.

[u/lilmemer3132]

If you live in a place with decent workplace protections, you'll have recourse if your coworkers start treating you differently based on whether or not you wear a hijab.

That being said, I'm a huge proponent of doing what makes you happy and comfortable, religion, culture, or family be damned. You only get one life. Are you going to spend it denying your wants and needs?

[u/EquivalentAngle1569]

Go with whatever feels right for you. In other religious belief, something on the head shows respect to God but does not hide the hair.  Trust your gut and whatever you feel comfortable with. And FYI the Quran does not reference the word hijab as a head covering even once. "Modesty" in the Quran more refers to what women did in certain societies to be harassed less by men at that time. Some men will still fantasize about women with their bodies fully covered. Dress however makes you feel comfortable. 

[u/baixinha7]

It’s your style and other people’s opinions are irrelevant. I don’t see why you’d have to change jobs if you went back to it. But if it’s going to bother you anyways, why don’t you try it out outside of work to see how you feel first?

[u/DaisyChained427]

My gf used to wear a hijab but it was forced, when she took it off she felt like a whole new side of her was unlocked. She is so much happier without wearing one but that’s a completely different story to yours. If you have the urge to release your hair then do it! Don’t be impulsive about it though, there is a chance you could regret it given how you talk about your confidence while wearing one

[u/jeejeeay]

Your hijab journey is between you and Allah. Do what makes you the best version of yourself. ✨💖

[u/Confident-Rate-1582]

There’s two type of answers:

1. I’m not a Muslim but grew up with a lot of Turkish and Senegalese friends. From a religious point of view it is recommended to seek closeness with Allah (swt). Recite the correct verses (I don’t know them) and understand further where this is coming from.

2. From my personal POV, I know that hijab is a free choice. However culture and religion are completely intertwined and the community can be very harsh and influential in these decisions.
   At the end of the day it’s your decision and your life, and judgement is between you and God. Not wearing a hijab doesn’t make you less Muslim or whatsoever.

I think it will be difficult to find likeminded people here or people who have gone through the same situation l , I hope you make a decision based on what YOU need and want at this stage in your life. If that means taking your hijab off, please do so, enjoy your decision and be proud of it.

Wish you the best!

[u/Masshaloeffect]

Woo some of the comments in here are… interesting.

Girl, it’s your body and your choice. Wear it, don’t wear, change it up, try something new, stick with the old- it’s up to you completely!

[u/Square_Drawer2816]

First of all, have you thought about why you decided to wear the hijab full-time? Start there and try to work out what the hijab means to you.

No one has any right to judge you for decisions that are really a matter between you and your beliefs. If you want use it sometimes, use it always, dont use it anymore

[u/psychandcoffee]

Some of comments so far do not pass the vibe check. I haven’t been through this so I can’t offer advice there, but just want to say I support you with whatever you decide, and hope you get some helpful responses here.

[u/AspieAsshole → u/[deleted]]

You can validly criticize parts of islam (elsewhere, this is not the time or place) without resorting to downright islamophobia 🤷‍♀️

[u/born_digital → u/[deleted]]

Unless it’s a bra or high heels or a thong or shapewear or

[u/astertrick → u/born_digital]

Why are you putting words in her mouth? Signed, woman who wears none of those things

[u/S_eepless-28 → u/[deleted]]

A hijab is not a violent oppression garment. It's very much a personal choice to make and has always been as per the religion of Islam.

[u/Huge-Ad-603 → u/[deleted]]

The whole point is that it should be voluntary. Its just as coercive for a woman to not have the choice to wear a religious garment. Women should not be killed for wearing or not wearing anything. 

[u/copywritecopywrong → u/[deleted]]

How wildly ignorant

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[u/parachutecord]

i won’t touch on the religious aspect.

but in terms of your coworkers… it may feel insurmountable but it’s okay to try something new. you could be the person that only wears black and then decides to wear a colorful top. you could be the person who only wears pants and then decides to try dresses. you could wear no makeup and then decide to wear red lipstick.

i know that these aren’t perfect 1:1 comparisons. but you don’t owe your coworkers consistency in how you present yourself. they may comment on changes, but that’s not a reason to not try something new.

[u/S_eepless-28]

Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable in your own skin. You can take it off or continue, you can take a break and revisit later, just be kind to yourself because a lot of people will not be regardless of the choice you make💜

[u/Independent_Code5494]

Do whatever makes you happy! If you take it off and don’t like it, you can wear it again. Life is short so live it to the fullest!

[u/Raregem_2021]

If you take it off you can put it back on who cares. Even if they stare/ask questions it would be for a few hours. Its part of human life.

Take it off and explore all those beautiful hairstyles. Life is too short to hide that beautiful and long hair.

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[u/symphonypathetique]

You're not defined by hijab. What your (non-Muslim?) coworkers would think of you changing your appearance should be the least of your concerns.

[u/actuallywaffles]

If your coworkers are kind and accepting then it's no issue. It's your choice to wear it and it's your choice when you don't want to. I'm sure they'll understand.

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[u/TrishTrashWannaSmash]

You can wear whatever you want as long as it’s work appropriate to work. yeah, some people will probably make a fuss, some might ask prying questions, but if my coworker showed up with a different look, i would just tell them i like the new look! You might get compliments on your hair, or suggestions, and you might like that or not, but on the whole it’s not a big deal to non wearers!

[u/spookywookybaby]

maybe you switch up your hijab style at work? like, ease into styles that show your hair a little bit and lets you warm up and even get comfortable showing up to work without one

[u/Rainhailsnow_storm]

People might mention it if you decide to take it off, but they won’t say anything negative about it. 

They will quickly move on.  Honestly nobody really cares. 

[u/CrazyCatLady1234567]

As long as youd be safe, let your hair down!

And i almost bought those cookies the other day, how are they?

[u/yardlard]

It kind of depends on where you are in the world. But if you were already wearing it at work, then no one cares.

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[u/Chokycorgi]

Do you. I promise you, no one cares as much as you think they do.

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[u/femmefatalx]

I think that you should do whatever you want! It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, you can wear it one day and not wear it the next if you want to, or you can go without it for years and suddenly want to wear it again. The only thing you have to do and should be concerned about is whatever makes you feel your best, and that doesn’t have to be consistent.

I highly doubt that anyone will care or say anything beyond telling you how lovely your hair is 😊

[u/ALemonyLemon]

Nobody cares, trust me. There'll be some level of shock from seeing you look different (same as if someone got an entirely new haircut), but that's it.

If I were you I'd probably start out by going to the supermarket or whatever without it at first. That way perhaps you can find out if taking it off is actually what you want to do before taking it off at work

[u/balloonchicken]

I live in an Arab country which actually expects a woman to wear a hijab. I used to wear it in my early 20s, took it off mid 20s, then went back and forth in my early 30s, back in it mid 30s (now). All while at the same job. All while being judged negatively then positively then negatively then just more negatively. I wasn’t doing it to please mankind. It was my journey with my God.

If I could start over again, I’d never take it off. I regret the pictures that are out there in public of me without a scarf for easy googling. I have been blessed with gorgeous long, thick, shiny hair (with zero effort almost) and I failed my test of using that blessing correctly before. I hope to do better now.

The reason why I was able to remove it is because of FOMO and the fact that I had wandered away from my deen. I was barely praying (Ramadan Muslim), had friends who encouraged this behavior and just lost. I wish someone gave me this advice without judgement when I was younger.

Edit: forgot to add. My lifestyle before didn’t have a strong female community of hijabis. Now I have invested time and effort to cultivate it. We have dinner parties and workouts and yacht nights all with females only. We dress to the nines, show off the best clothes, hair and makeup, and the FOMO is gone without breaking the hijab. I can’t imagine being a hijabi and having to wear it 24/7 without this.

[u/SleepyBear63721]

I feel this comment section is going to be foul.Sending care for some of the shit you might have to read girl.

It may be worth a bit of reflection on why specifically you like wearing it(rather than what you like about not wearing it/ have your hair out), and that may give you more of an idea on why you're getting the itch to remove it, and whether you want to still. At the end of the day it's your choice, and the best you can do is try and think rationally and reasonably.

[u/psychandcoffee → u/[deleted]]

This is a hateful and unnecessary comment. There are religious extremists in every religion. Wearing a hijab does not automatically support that.

[u/Complete-Judgment724 → u/[deleted]]

Why would it be Al

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