The first swipe is the hardest

After turning on the clippers and running them right down the center of your head, you're going to have a moment of doubt. Keep going! Don't let the hilarious and completely bizarre thing you see in the mirror get the best of you.

People are going to want to know why

Whether it's out of admiration, concern, or curiosity, people will want to know if the buzz was for a specific reason. "Because I wanted to" is a completely valid answer to this question.

You could totally lead a hit action movie

Whether you would be kicking alien ass or fighting in a post-apocalyptic desert, getting a buzz cut makes you realize how totally, utterly awesome you are. The DMV seems a lot less scary now that it looks like you could be a baddie-fighting, dystopian protagonist.

Some people aren't going to say anything, and that's okay

Whether they don't realize, don't care, don't like it, or just don't know what to say, you may encounter people who don't bring up the haircut at all. Whatever their opinion is, it really doesn't matter as long as you like the way you look.

It takes a little getting used to

Even though I LOVE the fact I cut my hair this short, the first couple days after getting it cut were, well, weird. Getting used to the new texture and look of any haircut is, but especially one as dramatic as this.

Perks? I get to meet myself in the mirror a few times a day and remember that woah, I look good.

It isn't *quite* as low maintenance as you thought

The thing about a buzzcut is the uniformity of the look. That one cowlick in the back that gives you trouble, still gives you trouble, even when it's this short. Hair pomade is still your best friend.

Smaller kids might stare

Although I've definitely become accustomed with small children asking me about my hair and gender ("Are you a boy?" never gets old), getting a buzzcut even throws them for a loop.

A hat has never become more important

Summer in Arizona means one thing: sunburns. After you cut all your hair off, you realize that you have to protect the top of your head from getting burnt. At least you don't have to worry about hat hair!

The first photo you post is a little scary

The "share" button on the first Instagram post with your haircut seems a little intimidating.

You kind of want to keep it this short

While this is by no means the case for everyone, buzzing my hair made me realize that I love this look and could totally keep it— something I never would have realized if I didn't take the leap and cut it in the first place!

It dries INSTANTLY

Less than a minute out of the shower, and your hair is already dry!

You have an automatic ice breaker

Meeting new people when you rock a bold haircut means that you automatically have something to talk about, which makes small talk a lot easier.

It really, truly doesn't matter what anyone else thinks

It's your hair, your self-expression, and as long as you like it, it genuinely doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.