 Day 12: I'm Free! (from my hair) |
Today I did something I’ve always wanted to do. It wasn’t big or life-changing, but it was an experience that I had wondered about for a while.
My hair has been short before, so that wasn’t really the issue. The issue was doing the act myself — scissors in hand, giant chopped-off locks in the other. How freeing is that?!
The humidity of the late morning got to me; I was sweating and constantly retying my hair back to keep its suffocating length from making me even hotter.
“It’s time,” I thought.
Of course, afterwards I went to a salon to get it fixed up right.
“Uhm, I just cut off all my hair. Can you fix it?”
Yeah, it was good fun, and a little bit exciting, which is why I wanted to take a minute to challenge you to do something you’ve always wanted, too. It doesn’t have to be travel-related (but that is usually more fun, hey?).
My flatmate and I were having a conversation the other night about her life goals. As of now, she’s working two jobs trying to get ahead, and it is seriously taking a toll on both her social life and mental well-being. Her concern was that she’s working and working and before she knows it, she’ll be 30 and have wasted the better years of her 20s.
Her goal now is to just do something out of the ordinary, and the first step for her is to sign up for French classes. I’m happy for her.
Doing something you’ve always wanted to do, or just something different, is always good for the soul. What are you going to do?
I really loved this post, especially the part about your roommate. I worry about that all the time- I’m working all my 20′s away. I worry that when the pay off starts, I’ll be too old to enjoy it like I imagine I want to.
I’ve talked alot about taking a foreign language, and I really do plan on doing that someday (not today). Today I’m holding my first casting call. While I haven’t always wanted to do auditions, it is a step in the direction of something I have always wanted to do. Can’t wait to read more of these posts- great work you!
Hi Bob! Thanks for providing your story here as I’m sure so many people can relate
Wishing you luck with your casting call (sounds exciting), and I hope it leads to future success and adventures! 
Bob – when you get old, your way of seeing the world changes (not a bad thing) . I have been wishing and hoping for over twenty years, to just go away somewhere… anywhere. I cannot climb, hate running, buckle under the weight of a backpack. My trips are not longer than three weeks,because husband and three children struggle. The point of all this useless info is: I am one of those that had to wait to start travelling. I was 38 when I first got onto that huge aeroplane. Eight years later, I am planning my seventh trip, with hubby this time, to Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary.
I no longer have desires to party,bar-crawl or chat till dawnwithnew – found friends – I’m too pooped by nightfall, actually! BUT – I travel alone by car, find themost beautiful little stops, drink a lovely bottle of wine while watching the locals go by, and,because I am older,find that people chat easier,allowingme to really get to know a country’s people.
Hang in there – it will come, and being older is really not bad – you enjoy and appreciate it just as much!!!
I can’t believe you did it yourself. I have to say I love it, you look great!
Well I did the first chop, then I went in to a salon to get it “fixed up” so yeah. If I hadn’t though, I probably would have just got a little bit off. People are always so afraid to take it shorter it seems. Thanks for the compliment!
I was going to tell you in your last post just to go for it! I’m so glad you did! You look great!
Thanks, Annie!
Your hair looks great! And congrats on doing something you’ve always wanted to do. What a freeing experience!
Thank you! It made my day very interesting, too
Ohmigod, I totally did the same thing (cut my own hair) when I was in Australia, about to embark on the Eastcoast Backpackers Bullshit Tour, knowing for the first time in over 10 years that I wasn’t going to be working for at least 3 months, so who cares?! Plus the moment I knew I was going back to AKL at the end of it, I booked an appointment at the salon I loved, so I knew it would have grown out a bit by then (7 weeks in the future) and I would be looking for work again about a month later.
My hair is so thick, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be! Luckily, because of that, I am the only one who noticed my cut. And after 2 days, I didn’t even care.
Glad it all worked out
I can’t imagine having long and THICK hair in Australia — that would suffocating!
I love your hair! And I love that mission to do something different or scary as often as possible. Don’t know what mine will be yet, but you’ve inspired me.
Yay, I can’t wait to hear about it
I think that you look fantastic with it shorter (even though you really have beautiful hair). When I left my house to go to college I shaved most of my hair off and it was one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done. While I don’t suggest it to most people, I give you major kudos for doing it yourself. I know how important a girl’s hair can be.
Thank you! Wow shaving is even more adventurous
I’m not worried about my hair… it’ll grow back. It was becoming quite the pain to take care of… plus the amount of conditioner needed was insane.
OMG – Brooke it looks great! Good for you. I have always wanted to do something like that but have never had the nerve!
It was fun! I hope you manage to find something exciting to challenge yourself at… any ideas??
A very cool way to live your life. I’ve made it one of my resolutions this year to try something new every week where possible. Life’s too short to be settling into a rut.
Something new is definitely good… to an extent of course
I don’t know if I can top the hair thing just yet, though!
Go Brooke now if only I had hair so I could do the same
Haha
I guess you’ll just have to challenge yourself to do something else… what’s it gonna be, mister?
Hahahha!!! OMG girl, I can’t believe you just do that! Your long hair is gorgeous!! (Even though you look really good in shorter one too)
Okay, talking about challenge, I’m facing a similar one now. The other day I met my best friend and her hair is beautiful dark brown. She is of Chinese origin with black dark hair like me, originally. So I trusted her in picking up the dye for me in the drug store. The same one that she was actually using to make her beautiful color. Turn out it’s a blond dye! I don’t mean brownish dark blond, I mean bright golden blond! What the heck, I’m nervous for using that. She said as long as I don’t bleach my hair first, I won’t turn blond. (I have nothing against blondiness, but as you know, my Asian face won’t work with blond hair)
So yeah, I bought the dye 2 weeks ago and haven’t been daring enough to use it. Now after seeing your video, maybe it’s time for me to execute it?!
Thanks for the comment. You’re challenge is a bit different, and it really is up to you to try it out. My experience with dying people’s hair that have black hair with blond dye usually has them ending up with orange-ish brown hair.
It all depends on how long you leave it in, too. You could try out a small streak and see how it looks. And, you can always dye it back or let it grow out
It’s not permanent. Good luck!
Hey hunny
Good on you!!
I chopped off my hair when I was 17. Not myself, but similar circumstances. Sitting watching TV one night and just said out loud “I’m going to cut my hair super short.”
From down near my butt, to up above my ears!! Loved it. As you say, extremely liberating.
Def agree on the challenging thing.
I’m climbing a mountain this year….. i think that should be pretty challenging
Heck yes, climbing a mountain is going to be incredibly challenging! I don’t think I could do it… in fact I don’t want to… but kudos to you!