Could a haircut or color brighten our darkest season? A new year brings hope for self-development, but it can be challenging to turn over a new leaf when you feel stuck in the past.
This year, I decided to make a change in hopes that it would motivate me to improve in other areas of my life. From blonde to copper, I wanted to find out if the “new hair – new me” ideology could work.
Changing your hair can boost your confidence. Whether it’s a trim or a chop, hair holds memories and letting go of the past can catapult you into a brighter tomorrow.
Daylight hours are shorter, and seasonal depression is at an all-time high. The lack of sunlight can make us feel uninspired.
A new semester holds so much uncertainty, and the changing seasons are filled with a sense of waiting. Waiting for warmer days, waiting for more sunlight.
It was challenging trying to start my New Year resolutions when I felt so stuck in my old ways.
In previous years, I’d turned to retail therapy. This year, instead of a new wardrobe, I want to stimulate myself in ways that don’t involve overconsumption.
This is when the idea was created, a fresh look could symbolize the change I was so desperately seeking.
It started with a trim at the hair salon. When I had an inch cut off, I felt some weight lift off my shoulders. What started as a small act of self-care became an awakening.
That single act inspired me to go further, embracing a bold change. Each step, from the cut to the color, felt like shedding a layer of the past, creating room for something new to grow.
I had been a blonde for too long. In my younger days, I changed my hair from silver to pink and everything in between. My parents always allowed me to express myself in healthy ways and, like most teenage girls who are constantly undergoing change, so did my hair.
Despite this, over time, I began to fear change. When everything seems out of your control, you tend to hold onto the things you consider familiar and safe.
Blonde became a mask I would hide behind, often using the dumb blonde stereotype to my advantage. I only recognized this when I sat down to set my New Year resolutions. It’s easy to admit defeat and continue to follow bad habits.
I couldn’t become the person I wanted to be while carrying around an old version of myself. I took my Pinterest boards and ran to the hair salon.
Letting go of the past can be symbolic, like counting down the seconds to midnight.
We all deserve opportunities for a fresh start. The new year is a chance to wipe the slate clean, with new mindsets and approaches.
If you feel unmotivated to start new goals, I challenge you to make a change that excites you.
This new look didn’t just change how I saw myself in the mirror… It influenced how I approached my ambitions. Instead of fearing change, I embraced new beginnings. I’ll be starting the semester feeling more confident, more willing to take risks and more open to embracing uncertainty.
Hair is tied to identity and is so personal. Altering it, even in small ways, can give you the courage to confront other areas of life that feel stagnant.
Ultimately, a haircut or color isn’t just about self-expression, it’s about reclaiming control.
For me, it was a reminder that even in the darkest months, we have the power to make choices that spark joy.