DEAR HARRIETTE: During the pandemic, I started wearing a wig. It was the only way to keep my hair together when I was unable to go to the hairdresser for maintenance. I have grown to like this new signature look, but I worry that when I see colleagues in person, they will have an adverse reaction to my hair. I have always looked the same up until two years ago when the world changed. We have an on-site meeting soon. I want to wear my new hair, but I am a little nervous. They have seen it, but only in a Zoom window. -- New Look
DEAR NEW LOOK: This is a new day, and you can show up in whatever way you choose. As long as you look professional and appropriate for the workplace, your new hairstyle should be fine. Be prepared to answer questions about your new hairstyle. You don’t have to go into detail, though. You can say you adopted this new look during the pandemic and decided to stick with it. You do not have to say it’s a wig. Just enjoy it.
Look around. I bet there are others who look a bit different, from new hairstyles to new body shapes. Many people gained weight during the pandemic, while others got fit. Some people you may have never met in person look different than what you imagined. Just greet people and enjoy being in one another’s company. Everybody is going to be “new” in one way or another. Enjoy that.