BETTER NOW Going Gray Was About More Than My Hair

I lost my husband, then found a new way to love myself.

- VANESSA CHAMBERLIN

I never thought I would be the woman with gray hair. I thought if I gave in to the gray, I couldn't be beautiful. But the moment I decided to ditch the hair dye at 50 years old, I began a journey of self-love.

For years I struggled with the loss of my husband. I was devastated when I lost the man I loved, but it turned out to be a very pivotal moment. I eventually realized that for my entire life I had been searching for love outside of myself: the right friends, the right relationship, looking the right way. In all my grief, I realized I had a decision to make-I could keep feeling sorry for myself or I could find a better way. My husband had been my foundation, but now I needed to be that for myself.