I’ve ALWAYS wanted long hair… that’s putting it lightly. Remember Rapunzel? She was my hero! When I was in High School I joined a gym with one of my good friends. As we continued to work out and the weeks rolled by, my friend began to notice differences in her figure. She’d gaze into the big mirrors near the machines and turn to the side to admire her progress. And I’d turn to the side, too. I’d lean my head back and check out my hair to see if it got any longer. Not even kidding.

So, you ask, why would someone who has wanted long hair her whole life, be willing to cut hers? A few reasons. For one, the ends were seriously splitting… I had inches of split ends. Yikes. But more than that, I knew that if I cut my hair (not just a trim, but a whole new style) I’d be letting go of the past and embracing change. I’d be letting go of years of expectation and vain pursuits. Maybe that sounds ‘too deep’ for a haircut, but trust me that’s the way I think. I strongly believe that we are holistic beings… it’s why what I eat effects how I feel. It’s why a positive mental and emotional outlook helps to create a healthy body. We ARE mind, body, soul and spirt.

That means something as simple and tangible as a haircut has a much deeper emotional meaning behind it. For me, it means stepping outside of my comfort zone, learning to embrace change and break free from routine and expectations. As I ‘grow up’ and begin to step into adulthood I’m starting to see myself as an independent, responsible, passionate and hard-working woman. Cutting my hair, as trivial as it may sound, reflects that. It means moving forward, taking myself seriously and believing in myself.