Lady Alopecia

20/08/2026

So excited to hear that an Irish alopecian won the Rose of Tralee! Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh looked absolutely fabulous in each of her wigs, but especially with her bald head out, too. :)

As alopecia seems to be centre-stage this week (at least in Ireland), I thought it would be a good time to share my recent Substack post here, about the different reactions I've gotten to my alopecia around the world.

Some kind, some less so, some downright bizarre, my bald head has never failed to turn heads!

But it's also opened up some really interesting conversations, introduced me to some incredible people, and taught me some important lessons in resilience.

Happy reading, and if you enjoy the post, I'd be so grateful if you could share it around!

Let's keep the awareness building. ###

And what they've taught me about being seen.

21/04/2026

Change is coming... ✨

When I started this page as Lady Alopecia, it came from a very real, vulnerable chapter of my life.

It gave me a voice when I needed one, and connected me with so many of you in ways I never expected. Sharing that part of my story helped me accept myself more deeply… and I’ll always be grateful for that. 🙏

But we’re not just one chapter, and we’re not just one label.

Over time, my intention has grown into something bigger. To create a space for nervous system regulation, mindfulness, yoga, and sound therapy.

These are the practices that have held me through it all: from hormonal changes to motherhood, and everything in between.

And as my work evolves (with retreats, courses and regular classes), it feels like the right time for the name to evolve, too.

So I’ll be changing this page to Om With Em Yoga 🧘‍♀️

Not because I’m leaving anything behind, but because I’m allowing this space to reflect more of who I am, and what I’m here to offer:

✨ Yin yoga, yoga nidra & slow flow
✨ Sound bowl treatments & sound baths
✨ Yoga & mindfulness retreats in Hoi An
✨ Prenatal & postpartum yoga (in person & online)
✨ Simple tools for nervous system regulation, hormonal health & stress

Nothing important from Lady Alopecia is being lost – if anything, it’s expanding.

The heart of this space remains the same: honesty, healing, and creating a little more calm in the chaos.

If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for growing with me. And if you’re new, you’re so welcome here.

I’m really excited for this next chapter 🌻😘

Love, Emma x

20/04/2026

If you've ever had a panic attack, rage episodes or a sense of spiralling out of control, you'll know what it's like to feel as if your conscious mind is offline.

Your brain simply can't think of the things to do that might be helpful in that moment, either for your mental or physical health.

But I've noticed that by sticking to a "Maintenance List" (or even a few of the things on it) regularly, those episodes of overwhelm, anger or anxiety become less frequent, their intensity less severe.

In my latest Substack post (link in bio), I cover the 10 simple things I do to regulate my nervous system, when I'm already feeling capable (next time, I'll list what I do when I'm really not!)

Am I missing any here? What do you do to stay regulated...does it involve venting and sharing with others, or more time to yourself?

Hope you enjoy the post...as always, I'd love to hear what you think! 😘

16/04/2026

What do you do when you find self-acceptance, only to watch it disappear again? 🤔 My sense of self-worth, the confident identity I've been building as Lady Alopecia over the past 8 years, has been eroding itself until some days it feels there's nothing left.

Motherhood, sleep deprivation, PMDD, perimenopause and, well, life...they've all been chipping away at me, leaving me with ragged edges I'm often too ashamed to reveal.

And yet I'm still here. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Maybe not thriving, in this moment, but quite a bit better than merely surviving.

And I can keep showing up, with the vulnerabilities and the insecurities and knowing I'm not alone in any of it.

Which is pretty fricking fantastic, actually.

My latest Substack piece is all about the days when we feel far from our best selves...and why that's more than ok.

So even if you don't have hair loss yourself, I hope you'll find some comfort in my words. And if you do,I'd be so grateful if you could share the piece around.

With so much uncertainty in the world, let's be certain about our love for ourselves. 🥰🥰

10/04/2026

Matrescence is an identity shift that so many of us mums are unprepared for...and what a crash landing it can be.

We might be prepared for the sleepless nights, the exhaustion, the sudden and fierce sense of protectiveness...yet nothing prepares us for the deeper identity shifts or neurological changes that take us apart until we can learn to rebuild.

Becoming a mother isn't just a one-time event.

It's a slow, ongoing process of becoming someone new.

Which, once we learn to embrace the changes, can be such a beautiful, exciting thing (but one that is by no means easy!).

My latest post offers a window into that transition...and if you or any mums you know might be struggling, or afraid they're the only ones feeling the effects of this shift, I'd be so grateful if you could share it. Thanks so much. X

30/03/2026

I recently published something that I'm nervous, but also excited, to share...

It’s called A Thousand Pieces: a space where I’ll be writing one piece a week over the coming years (maybe 20!)

It's about mental health, hair loss, motherhood, identity shifts, hormonal health, and the slow process of becoming whole again.

Every Thursday, I'll be sharing personal reflections alongside practical ways in which we can support our own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing... sending ourselves compassion for the times when that feels impossible.

This first post is a bit of a “start here”, the story behind it all.
It feels a little vulnerable to share, as I know it's been some time since I've posted... but also very right, as Lady Alopecia takes a new direction.

If you’d like to read it, it’s here. I'd be so grateful if you could share this with anyone who might benefit from reading these words...and if you'd like to join me on my journey towards a thousand pieces, you're very welcome to become a free subscriber, too. Thank you so much for supporting me to this point also, I'm so grateful for you all.😘

Welcome to A Thousand Pieces: For the parts of you that feel a little scattered.

08/04/2025

Honoured to have been featured in Authority Magazine's latest series! Thanks so much to Lucinda Koza for sharing my story – and my tips for finding joy during challenging times. Happy reading...and please share with anyone in your life who's going through hair loss, navigating grief, or who could just use a little positivity right now. 🥰

An interview with Lucinda Koza

18/03/2025

A summary from my Her Story podcast interview this morning...

🎭 Embracing the Bald: My Journey from Hiding to Thriving 🌍

At 11 years old, I noticed my first bald patch. By the time I was in college, alopecia areata had taken most of my hair, and with it, my confidence. I spent years hiding under wigs and extensions, fearing judgment, battling shame, and struggling with mental health.

Then, at 28, I made a life-changing decision. I shaved my head and traveled solo to Bali—embracing my true self for the first time. That decision changed the course of my life. It led me to create Lady Alopecia, a platform that fosters community, self-acceptance, and awareness for those experiencing hair loss.

💡 Key Takeaways from My Journey:
✨ Beauty is not defined by hair – Long hair ≠ worth or identity.
✨ Acceptance is liberating – Once I let go of the fear, I found true freedom.
✨ Challenges can lead to purpose – My greatest insecurity became my biggest strength.
✨ Community matters – No one should have to navigate hair loss alone.
✨ Mindfulness & yoga are powerful tools – Healing isn't just physical; it's emotional too.

📢 Inspiring Quotes from My Journey:
💬 "Where I live now, the work that I do—all of it stems from deciding to shave my head."
💬 "I wanted to normalize alopecia, to contribute to the conversation around identity and beauty standards."
💬 "There is much more to you than your hair... and you are stronger than you know."

If you or someone you know is struggling with hair loss, know that you are seen, valued, and enough—just as you are. 💙

🔗 Let’s grow this conversation together! Share your thoughts or tag someone who needs to hear this.

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Thanks to the wonderful Getrude Matshe for letting me share!

18/03/2025

I was honoured to have had the chance to speak on the Her Story podcast this morning with the amazing Getrude Matshe. I may look incredibly tired, especially compared to her glow of positivity/vibrancy but hey...this chat is all about finding acceptance with yourself, just as you are!

See who else is going to 🎭Emma Sothern: Embracing the Bald - from Hiding to Thriving 🌍, and keep up-to-date with conversations about the event.

06/03/2025

Who's Bald With One Working Arm? 🥰 Check out my most recent newsletter to see what's been happening in the (often-clumsy) life of Lady Alopecia! https://mailchi.mp/4e9fcdf7d7d0/march-newsletter