embracing change

Change your mind like you change your socks—often & without regret

I finally did it.

I’m talking about the completely transformational, life-altering decision that is every woman’s rite of passage — I got bangs.

Fed up with my long, tangled locks and craving a fresh new look, I walked into the salon, confidently plopped down in the chair, and declared, “Chop it off — I’m ready for bangs.” Now, being a first-timer, I wasn’t about to go wild with the straight-across varietal. Instead I opted for something a bit more subtle and went for the trendy curtain bang look à la Sabrina Carpenter.

The next 36 hours were a whirlwind of emotions: from full-blown panic (omg what have I done???) to pure euphoria. Honestly, I think every stylist should make clients sign a waiver and take a 4-hour bang-styling crash course before allowing anyone to take the plunge, but I digress. Major shoutout to YouTube for guiding me through this transition.

I know some of you are probably wondering— why bangs? Why now? Great question! I’ve realized there’s no better way to symbolize an internal transformation than to change something on the outside. And while I’m definitely poking fun at myself here (it’s just a haircut after all), there is a little part of me that’s also twirling around, giddy with excitement at my decision.

Though a seemingly small change, this is just one more sign of my willingness to embrace transformation. Change is often terrifying, and it’s human nature to cling to the familiar. For years, I stayed loyal to my long simple locks, telling my stylist every appointment that I was “still thinking about what I wanted to do.” It had become my identity, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave that behind.

But in embracing change, just like in taking risks, we find beauty. While some things and circumstances in life are permanent, most aren’t. You can change your mind and change it back as much as you like. How wonderful is it that we can contradict ourselves whenever we want?? How freeing to know we don’t have to be the same person we’ve always been! We can change our hair, our job, our style, or our environment as we see fit.

The truth is, you’ll never know what sticks until you try something new. If you stay stagnant, afraid of change, you might miss out on some of life’s greatest joys.

It reminds me of the time I got into a huge argument with my mom about how I would never like mayonnaise. I thought it was disgusting and swore I’d never eat it in any form. She however insisted I would someday change my mind. Nope, not me, not ever. Well… I had to swallow my pride when I discovered and subsequently became obsessed with aioli (which we all know is just mayo’s cooler, more sophisticated cousin who studied abroad).

So to all of you— take that risk. Change your mind. Don’t miss out on aioli.

Only fools and dead men don’t change their minds. Fools won’t. Dead men can’t.

- John H. Patterson

walk boldly,

Caroline