As I’m recording this introduction that you’re listening to right now, I’m struggling with my modesty. Maybe that’s a surprising thing to hear from someone who hosts a podcast about the subject and makes content about it online and spouts volumes about how magical of a practice modesty and hair covering can be. But as sparkly and a-flame as covering can make me feel, it feels equally important to share the struggles, to let you know that you’re not alone. Luckily, past me is here to offer some medicine. Cutting together this episode with Avalon Rose, the creator behind @ahijabirose and The Rebord Muslim Podcast ended up being a therapeutic exercise. In the next hour, you’ll hear how Avalon went from wanting to commit to hijab as soon as she converted, to hanging on by a thread about to take it off. Her perspectives around navigating the gray areas of religious practice have inspired me to have some grace with myself around my struggles, and I hope that in listening to her, you’ll feel supported and comforted as well.