Daily Motivation: It's Just Hair

A few weeks ago I got a haircut. And when I say “haircut” what I really mean is hairchop. Yup, I did it. I took one final look at myself in the mirror with medium-length hair and decided it was time for it all to go. Pixie here I come!

When I sat down in my hair stylist’s chair and told him what I wanted to do, he put his hands on my shoulders, cocked his head to the side and said, “Did you recently break up with your husband?” “No,” I said and laughed. He followed with “Did you recently lose your job, a family member, or a bunch of money?” I continued to laugh. “No.” “Ok. As long as you are doing this on your terms and not out of emotional retaliation, I’ll cut it.”

I giggled some more. It was intriguing to me that in order to chop off my hair I needed some kind of emotional or life milestone backfire. Frankly, I just wanted to try really short hair. I mean, why not? In the practical light it would make perfect sense: I have two young kids, very little time to myself to get ready in the mornings, ridiculously thick, Greek, hair, and I need something quick. The sassy side of me was screaming to cut it. There are some seriously adorable short styles out there!

With every snip, my hair stylist waited for me to cringe, hold my breath, or get teary. I didn’t. I told him stories, laughed, and encouraged him to keep going. I told him that I trusted him and his judgment about what would look best. After about 10 minutes, he told me this was his favorite way to cut hair – when it’s really about art and style and it’s all in his hands. It felt pretty cool to make someone’s day like that.

I walked out the salon feeling like a new woman. In fact, I told my husband I felt almost taller. Perhaps it’s because I could feel the wind on my neck. Who knows? I just felt different in every way. Confident in every way.

And people noticed.

Everywhere I went, old friends and complete strangers were commenting on my new cut. I was “brave”, “ballsy”, “daring”, “trendy”, “wild”, “sassy”, and even “crazy”. These comments were then often followed by, “I could never do that!”

Not only were comments rampant but also the way I was treated was hugely different. I was served more quickly at restaurants and bars, questions were answered immediately by customer service employees. I no longer blended in. I was taken seriously. I had every right before my new ‘do to be treated this way.

So what gives? Isn’t it just hair?

It is.

As women, we tie so much of who we are into our luscious locks. It truly is our ultimate accessory. I guess what I’ve learned through the process of cutting my hair short is that this accessory doesn’t have to define us nor should we let others pass judgment on who we are!

I am an intelligent, kind, resourceful woman with every reason to be confident in myself regardless of what my hairstyle is. Maybe I needed to cut my hair to be reminded of that. As it grows, I have made a promise to myself to remember this.

After all, it’s just hair.

Meghan Daniel is a teacher, mother and wife in Denver, Colorado. Meghan writes regularly about finding thankfulness in life, love and parenting in her popular blog, Adventures Out West. Follow her on Twitter @mdaniel2.