Where I found the courage to cut off all my hair

When I was 14 years old, I thought one day, maybe after college but before I traveled the world as a renowned scientist, I would cut all my hair off. It became pretty high on my bucket list, along with “go to Ireland and fall in love with the man from P.S. I Love You.”

When I finally decided to cut my hair, my two best friends squeezed into the small salon room with me while my hairdresser chopped away. It was all excitement, with the slim fear that maybe this was a mistake, but it was something I wanted to do regardless.

After the cut, it was double takes at my own reflection, and the overwhelming excitement that I finally did it. It took me five years, but I did it. I didn’t cut my hair for any particular reason, but this is what ultimately persuaded me to go for the pixie.

I had a celeb crush

When you boil it down, I cut off all my hair because of a celeb crush. I decided in 2011 that I wanted nothing more in life than to be Abby Wambach. For the rare individual who doesn’t know who Abby Wambach is, she is the former soccer captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and she rocks the pixie.

I was growing up

We called it the “college chop.” My haircut became the staple of a new chapter in my life. I never thought I would have the confidence to chop all my hair off in college, but it was easy. I was in the right place.

I like surprises

Well, I don’t like being surprised as much as I like surprising people. I liked surprising people who never thought I would follow through with the chop, and I liked surprising people who warned me against it. I even surprised myself a little.

I can put aside what other people think

I never expected to please everyone with my haircut, and although I received way more positive feedback than I expected, there were of course the people who wished I hadn’t cut my hair. I had my main encouragers by my side though, and even strangers who sprinkled my days with random compliments. No matter how other people preferred my long hair, the only thing that mattered to me was how I preferred it myself. I did this for myself and no one else, and I loved it.

I am tough

People are critical, especially when someone deviates from the norm. I work with kids a lot, and we all know how brutally honest kids can be. Their honesty can be quite entertaining. Or maybe you never thought “What are those bumps on your face?” was funny.

The kids I worked with encouraged me with statements like, “NOT YOUR BEAUTIFUL HAIR,” “YOU LOOK LIKE A BOY” and “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?” In fact, I was accidentally referred to as “sir” a handful of times by strangers from behind. Maybe my oversized t-shirts didn’t help this matter.

Regardless, no negativity could undermine my self confidence. I cut my hair because I was tough enough to accept that it could go horribly wrong and I would still love myself.

I am a strong woman

Really, I cut off all my hair because I’m on my way to becoming an existentialist superwoman. I want to be 100% true to myself, always, however that changes as I grow. To be able to act on something solely because it pleases my core being and not because of external influences is something I strive to do every day. This was something I accomplished when I cut my hair. It was pretty badass.