snip, snip

Welp, I failed again. It’s been almost 6 months, but I guess better late than never right? So, I’m just gonna just skip over all the formalities and apologies and get right into it. Over the past six months a lot has happened, and a lot has changed. I can’t help but think this was all sparked by one thing: a haircut. Yup, you read that correctly, I cut and (more importantly) dyed my hair for the first time back in June and I truly think this was the catalyst for a multitude of changes that were about to take place in my life. Firstly, I decided I would be studying abroad spring semester of 2020. This means in February I will be moving to Brisbane, Australia. Secondly, I performed in my first ballet while in college. I also traveled more with my friends: from Charleston, to Savannah, to Athens, to Richmond, to Gatlinburg, to New York. I met new people who have become irreplaceable. I learned that I love denim on denim, Thursday nights, and choreographing. Finally, I came to an understanding with myself that it’s okay to not have everything figured out and it doesn’t matter what other people think. I gained a legitimate confidence that for so many years previously I had been faking.

I always find it hard to move myself out of my comfort zone even though I know this is the only way I will ever evolve by learning how to adapt and coming into contact with new people, new places, and new cultures. I know these experiences continue to accumulate and mold me into the person I am, but it’s terrifying to push myself to do things I don’t know how to do. I don’t like not being an expert; yes, I am aware of how stupid this sounds, especially since we are all beginners at everything at some point. But a simple snip and farewell to some split ends seems to have given me the confidence to push past these mental boundaries. Is it possible that every time your hair changes, you change? I thought about it and every time I decide to do something different with my hair, it seems to end up signifying a new phase in my life. I’m not sure if the personality changes that occur are a result of the sudden boost of confidence that a small and relatively harmless leap towards change inspires or if a new haircut or style really does morph a personality to add or subtract things that weren’t

there before.

I really do believe that big leaps of change are necessary for growth and progress, but maybe the small leaps towards change are just as and maybe even more important. In a sense they’re way easier. In December, I decided to cut and dye my hair again. Call me crazy (seriously, cuz there have been many a time where I question my sanity), but I just have this feeling that even this slight change is going to motivate me in some way. If you’re feeling stuck or scared or bored, try something different; get a haircut and cut out (hehe see what I did there??) the negativity that is preventing you from changing. Take on the mindset that every time your hair changes, you can change too.

Love,

Chloe Noel