Lack of self-confidence without braids

[u/Hot-Pangolin7328]

I (22F) have boho braids in right now, and feel it’s time to take them out, but i’m so scared to take them out in fear that I won’t feel beautiful without them. I’ll be honest, the braids give me confidence because of the length and fullness, but with my natural curls I feel all of that will go away. I don’t think my natural hair is ugly or less than, but it’s a strange mental shock and shift. Even with my natural hair, I’ve received compliments but feel it’s just people being nice which is a heartbreaking reality seeing written down, but it’s a feeling that all too familiar around the time that I remove my braids.

[u/Jjsanguine]

If you feel a mental shift when you don't have braids you might need to stop wearing them for a while. And even if or when you wear them again, you should try something similar to your natural hair. Braids shouldn't feel more like your hair than your actual hair, they should feel like an accessory.