STRONGER THAN YESTERDAY

Steffe Cookson, 37, from Huddersfield, squashed her true feelings to the back of her head, until a break-up and a pair of trimmers changed everything...

- LUCY BRYANT AND ANAIS SEELY

Gliding a cheap pair of beard trimmers that I'd bought in lockdown across the back of my head, my brown glossy hair fell to the floor in seconds.

With my eldest Ty, 15, helping to do the parts that I couldn't see, it was a bittersweet moment.

For years I had loved my thick locks and it was a big moment to simply shave them off-but I had to do this for me.

From the outside, my life was perfect.

I had three beautiful children, Ty, Cole, five, and Aria, four, had been with my boyfriend for 10 years, and we all lived in a secure family home.

Only, there was something that was missing...

My happiness.

Trying my best to make my relationship work, alongside long shifts working as a nurse, and coping with the mental effects of Covid, lockdown had taught me a lot in months.

And one thing I knew I needed the most was to work out who I was independently of anyone else.

Growing up and feeling as if I was a little different to everyone my age, I couldn't really put my finger on why I felt that way.

So, instead of exploring my feelings, I did everything that I thought would make me feel part of society.

Only, having it all didn't complete me.

In fact, it left me feeling like there was a void in my life.

I can't continue in an unhappy relationship, I admitted to myself.

After 10 long years, I ended my relationship enough was enough.

And in doing so, I was finally able to acknowledge the truth about myself...

So, having a Britney Spears moment, I decided to shave my hair off.

Washing, drying, and maintaining my brown locks took up hours of my week, so the thought of cutting that routine down to just minutes was tempting.

Plus, I didn't need anyone to persuade me not to go and do it anymore-it was on me!

'It's done,' Ty said, shutting off the noise of the clippers.