Why I Chopped Off My Hair
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Why I Chopped Off My Hair

Sometimes you just need to make a change.

18
Why I Chopped Off My Hair
Cassidy Kelley

I take pride in my hair. It’s the one thing in my life that I feel like I can have complete control over. I have grown it out consistently for the last 3 years and really only gotten it trimmed a couple of times since making the decision to take this hair journey. I was so excited to see my hair grow long and watch it get closer and closer to my waist. But then, one day out of the blue, something inside of me just kind of snapped.

I realized I wasn’t in control anymore.
I realized that my hair was spending days, even weeks, just being shoved up into a high pony or a top knot bun. It stopped being fun to curl and the idea of trying to put it up into a braid just made my arms hurt and I’d groan at the thought, give up, and shove it right back up into a bun. Suddenly, my hair controlled me. I started to hate the way it looked and I stopped loving it, and in turn, my hair caused me to love myself just a little less.

So, it had to go.

I only thought about it for a couple of days before I called up my hairdresser and made an appointment. I walked in, sat down, and bless her heart, I told her that everything I had been telling her about wanting to grow it out needed to all go out the window. I told her to just take it all, all the way up to my collar bone. She just looked at me and smiled and said, “Well, okay then”.
And it was okay.
The first cut made me want to cry, both out of fear and because I could just feel my head pop up just a little straighter. It was wonderful. Scary, but wonderful.

Over 8 inches and some bangs later, I was a new woman.

It’s a weird feeling. I went into the salon one person and came out another.

Suddenly, I couldn’t stop touching my hair. I ran my hands through it constantly and I tugged on the ends until I felt my scalp start to itch. I kept staring at myself in the mirror with just this look of awe and amazement and this constant go-between of “will I love it, or will I hate it”. I am in control again, and I love every minute of it.

Sometimes, we start to lose control. We let our school work take over our social life and we let our cravings for ice-cream take over our need to remain healthy. Sometimes, we let our hair define us. It takes just one change to take back control. It takes just one decision to take your life back into your own hands and decide who you want to be. No one wants to be a prisoner to their own life. Whether you are a prisoner to your partner, your education, or even your hair, there is a way out. There is hope. You just have to take one step, and make the cut.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51042
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32669
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955825
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180834
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments