1. Everyone expects you to be some kind of Islamic scholar.
2. Some normal places and situations suddenly become quite uncomfortable.
3. Most people will treat you exactly the same.
4. But there will be some people who treat you differently.
5. You become much more concerned with self-image, but in a different way.
Even though your hijab is supposed to hide your beauty, you'll ask yourself questions like: Is my hijab OK? Are the clothes that cover me still stylish? Do I look pretty?
6. You may have weak moments in which you consider taking it off.
7. Suddenly, people expect you to have an opinion on every aspect of Middle Eastern and Islamic politics.
8. You don't save any time getting ready even though you don't have to do your hair.
The time I used to spend washing and straightening my hair is now spent choosing a scarf, putting it on, tying it, and sticking in its pins. Basically, I save no time in the morning. In fact, I probably spend more time making sure my hijab is on straight and matches my outfit.
9. A hijab doesn't restrict you from doing what you want.
10. Being a hijabi means people hold you up to higher standards.
11. But hijabis judge other hijabis too.
As a hijabi, I tend to notice other hijabis around me. Which means I'm prone to judging other hijabis in terms of what they wear and how they do their hijab.
12. You can be a hijabi and have a love life.
13. Being a hijabi doesn't mean you're better than non-hijabis or any other Muslims.
14. But most importantly, you can still completely be yourself.
Whether you enjoy rapping to yourself in your favourite hoodie or dancing in your room wearing pyjamas, hijabis are the exact same as other girls. More than anything, I was happy to learn that I didn't have to change who I was. Rather, I realised that my hijab was a part of who I already was.