11. Hairy Situations

If you say you haven’t thought about completely changing your hair after a minor or major inconvenience, you’re lying to yourself. Why act like you are above being dramatic? We are dramatic creatures and that’s okay. Change is unsettling, so it’s strange why we catapult ourselves into more change by booking a hair appointment and altering our appearance. In the face of change, why change the thing we can control: our hair? Is it a way of embracing change, instead of shying away from it, taking the life change as a reminder that things won’t stay the same? Is it a complete delusion to think that a front fringe still suits you because it did when you were 11? 

Good hair days can bring great confidence. When I leave the salon after getting a fresh cut and colour, I must resist strutting out like Cindy Crawford as the wind blows through my hair as if I hired Beyoncé’s fan. The power and magic from my hairdresser’s labour transcend my ego, my hair bouncing on my shoulders. Hairdressers are responsible for a big change. A good hairdresser understands the weight of their task, taking it with great responsibility and respect.

During the appointment, you can talk about whatever you want and they will always listen. Hairdressers always remember your cat’s name, your situationship’s latest ick, and all about your IBS symptoms. A great hairdresser can help you understand why you’re changing your hair by translating your flailing hands and vague description, into the fresh new style the current stage of your life demands. 

Oftentimes we get thrown into a life change and have no choice but to cope with the ebbs and flows of life. Embracing change isn’t always easy or enjoyable. Whether it be a global pandemic or a career shift, our lives are inevitably changed. In the grand scheme of things, a haircut isn’t that drastic of a change after all. So if you’re thinking of booking that full-head of foils appointment, I say go for it. What’s another change?