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Head Up Movement

@headup_movement

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Baldies supporting and empowering each other 🩵
Head Up Retreats in Portugal 2027👩🏼‍🦲
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Hi! I’m Amanda, from Finland. I am one of the girls behind the Head Up Movement. 👋🏽

I’ve lived with alopecia for 26 years, since I was 7. It is hands down my biggest teacher in life.

For the first 20 years, I tried to hide the alopecia. I ignored my feelings, wore wigs every day, and let alopecia rule my life. I didn’t want to see myself without hair, not in the mirror or in photos.

Everything shifted when I wanted to learn to surf. The dream was stronger than my shame, and the ocean showed me how much alopecia had limited my freedom. Step by step, acceptance began. I slowly got braver being outside bald.

Five years ago, I decided to face it fully. I put my wigs aside to learn how to feel comfortable bald in every area of life. I’ve learned that it takes courage to walk this world as a bald woman. Society still isn’t mature enough to see us without staring or commenting. There are days when I don’t even notice the staring, but also days when I’d love to just blend in.

But living bald has also taught me something beautiful. When I show up as my authentic self, it gives others permission to soften and be real too. I also realised that the person who cared the most about my hair was me.

It hurts me to think how long I hated my own reflection. Now I know that the image can change. Self-love is a lifelong practice. Meeting others with alopecia has been one of the most healing parts of my journey, and I’m excited for what we can create together through this community. 🤍

Because in the end, it’s not about having or not having hair. It’s about walking through life in your authentic form until the world adjusts to that.

#alopeciasuomi #alopeciasverige #alopeciawareness #alopeciajourney #lifewithalopecia #headupmovement taken in Helsinki, Finland by @headup_movement

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a year ago

The Head Up Movement supports and empowers bald women through retreats, gatherings and coaching 👩🏼‍🦲

Our vision is a world where women with alopecia feel supported, accepted and confident as they are🩵

A world where we can keep our Head Up and Move through life with more freedom and joy 😁

We are looking forward to connect and meet with you who are navigating your own alopecia journey💛

Interested in learning more about our Head Up retreat in Portugal Summer 2026? Comment «YES» or send us a DM!

With love & courage,
Amanda and Sigrid

#alopecia #alopeciawareness #alopecianorge #alopeciasverige #alopeciasuomi #alopeciafinland #headupmovement #baldie #bald #baldiemovement taken in Algarve, Portugal by @headup_movement

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a year ago

Hi! I’m Sigrid, from Norway, one of the girls behind Head Up Movement😁 I got alopecia when I was 10 years old , which means I’ve lived bald for 20 years now👩🏼‍🦲
First off, I wish to start with sharing the most important life lessons I’ve learned from being on this journey:

🩵That people truly see you for who you are, and care so much less about your appearance than we think. 🩵That self-acceptance is contagious. When you love yourself as you are, you give others permission to love themselves too.
🩵I’ve learned that the moments right before doing scary things are always the hardest. The fear peaks just before you act, and then softens the second you step in. I’ve experienced this hundreds of times: taking my wig off, walking into a room full of strangers, choosing to be seen again and again.
🩵Growing up, I felt how compassionate and supportive we can be — even as kids and teenagers. Of course, a few teasing moments still stay with me, but the overall imprint is one of kindness and understanding.
🩵And I’ve learned that once you accept being different, it becomes liberating, and even cool to stand out.

👩🏼‍🦲With Head Up Movement, I hope to see more women feeling empowered, supported and joyful, wherever they are on their alopecia journey💥🙏🏼

#alopecia #alopeciawareness #alopecianorge #alopeciasverige #alopeciasuomi #alopeciafinland #headupmovement #baldie #bald #baldiemovement taken in Oslo, Norway by @headup_movement

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a year ago

Save the dates for our next Head Up Retreats in 2027🩵👩🏼‍🦲 comment «RETREAT» to recieve more info before early-bird spots are released❣️ taken in Algarve, Portugal by @headup_movement

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16 days ago

A huge thank you to our retreat chefs. 👩🏼‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳

A big part of going on a retreat is about checking out from the hustle of everyday life. Imagine five days without having to cook, do the dishes, run to the grocery store, or even think about what you’re going to eat next.

Instead, you simply get to sit down and be served a delicious, nourishing meal, three times a day. 💛

Every meal at our first Head Up Retreat was prepared with so much love and care by our trusted retreat chef, @martinesetsaas together with her wonderful support in the kitchen, @khaliuster. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to take care of us and our guests.

And what made it even more special? They’re both family. It felt special to share our very first Head Up Retreat with our loved ones, Sigrid’s sister and Amanda’s boyfriend. Having their support and familiar presence throughout the retreat meant so much to us. But it was also special to give them a glimpse into what we’re creating with Head Up, and to let them experience, in a new way, how alopecia can show up in women’s lives.

Thank you for nourishing us, taking care of us, and being such an important part of this very special beginning. ❤️ taken in Moinhos Velhos Juice Detox Retreat by @headup_movement

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a month ago

It’s our month! 👩🏼‍🦲✨

#alopeciaawareness #alopeciaawarenessmonth by @headup_movement

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a month ago

Forever grateful for the community that we are building 👩🏼‍🦲🧡

#alopecia #alopeciacommunity #alopeciajourney #headupmovement by @headup_movement

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2 months ago

Bald girls having a very good hair day at BHBDs wig studio opening👩🏼‍🦲🩵

Community expansion😁✨

Thank you everyone at @bhbd @iamlouiseskold @josefinecf @hairbyfilip

Loved seeing you again @hermienheeres and @baldiepernie 🩷 taken in Stockholm, Sweden by @headup_movement

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2 months ago

✨Day 3 – Joy, Empowerment & Future Self✨

Our third full day together was all about exploring the power of our minds, embracing our femininity, and having fun.

We started the day with yoga with @sigridsetsaas and after breakfast, we had a calming sound healing session. After lunch we had a fun and empowering dance workshop led by awesome dancing queen @nina.bodywisdom who created a beautiful and safe space for us to explore femininity through movement and tune into our bodies. We danced, laughed, sweated, and allowed ourselves to simply enjoy the feeling of moving without judgment or expectations.

Later, we explored the power of affirmations and our relationship with our future selves. We reflected on the goals and dreams we want to move towards, and how we can work with our minds to help make them a reality. Through meditation, repetition, and belief, we explored how the thoughts and words we choose can help shape the way we see ourselves and the future we create.

And then, the evening became a celebration. 💃✨ We had our very own Head Up Party, filled with delicious tapas, glitter, makeup, decorations, music, and lots of dancing. It was a fun and freeing night to play with our style and celebrate being together.

It was a beautiful reminder that empowerment can look many different ways: sometimes it’s moving our bodies with confidence, sometimes it’s believing in the woman we are becoming, and sometimes it’s putting on some glitter and dancing the night away with your girls.

A joyful, empowering, and unforgettable last full day together. 💛✨

#alopecia #alopeciacommunity #alopeciasupport #alopeciaretreat taken in Algarve, Portugal by @headup_movement

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2 months ago

✨ Day 2 – Presence, Courage & Stepping Beyond Our Comfort Zone ✨

Our second full day together began with a silent walk through the beautiful surroundings of Moinhos Velhos. It was a chance to set an intention for the day and simply be present.

After breakfast, we gathered for our daily Head Up Circle. Together, we reflected and prepared ourselves for the day’s program, which included exploring Lagos, going to the beach together, and having a sunset photoshoot.

For some, it meant going out without their wig for the very first time. Others felt nervous about the sunset photoshoot, while some were simply excited about the unique experience of sharing a beach with so many other bald women.

Together, we reflected on moments of courage from our own lives, sharing stories of times we had chosen bravery over fear. Through movement, reflection, and open conversations, we explored what confidence, self-love, and acceptance truly mean.

The rest of the day became an opportunity to put all of this into practice. To choose presence over perfection. To embrace ourselves exactly as we are. To discover that courage doesn’t always mean feeling fearless—it often means taking one small step while feeling vulnerable.

We spent a beautiful afternoon at the beach, our photographer @itsmartinjacobsen creating a safe and empowering space for a portrait photoshoot, while @aylamiquel__ entertained us with his angelic voice, leading us in a joyful singalong.

The day was full of gentle reminders that the most meaningful transformations happen when we dare to show up as ourselves. 💙✨

#alopecia #alopeciacommunity #alopeciasupport #alopeciaretreat taken in Algarve, Portugal by @headup_movement

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3 months ago

✨ Day 1 – Arriving, Sharing, Connecting ✨

The first full day of the retreat began in the beautiful surroundings of Moinhos Velhos. Surrounded by nature, it’s a place that instantly invites you to slow down, be present, and connect with yourself.

We started the morning with a gentle yoga practice led by @sigridsetsaas . After breakfast we had our first Head Up Circle, checking in with ourselves and reflecting on where we are in our alopecia journeys today.

This was also the day we shared our stories. We spoke about how alopecia has affected our lives, how it makes us feel, and the path that has brought us to this moment. There were tears, moments of recognition, and deep understanding as we saw parts of ourselves reflected in each other’s experiences.

After a delicious lunch, there was time to relax by the pool, soak up the sunshine, and simply enjoy being together.

In the afternoon, we were guided through a beautiful Breathwork session by our dear friend and Breathwork guide Annie, @projectwithin_. For many, it was their first experience with Breathwork as a powerful tool for connecting more deeply with emotions, allowing feelings to surface and gently releasing what was ready to be let go.

It was an emotionally intense and transformative day. The evening was dedicated to integration, rest, reflection, and for those who wished, a peaceful session in the wood-burning sauna.

A powerful first day together. 💛

#alopecia #retreat taken in Algarve, Portugal by @headup_movement

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4 months ago

This was us getting ready to welcome 12 women from all over the Europe for the very first Head Up retreat in beautiful Moinhos Velhos retreat center in Southern Portugal. We are excited to share some stories and moments from the retreat that turned out to be beautiful and powerful experience for us all. Stay tuned! ☺️

#alopecia #alopeciaretreat #alopeciasupport #alopeciacommunity taken in Moinhos Velhos Juice Detox Retreat by @headup_movement

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4 months ago