Take it all off

We have all been there: that moment when you feel you need change; but, you're not sure where, or how. Sometimes, that change is drastic. A reno. A move. A new job. Somtimes, that change is as simple as a hair cut.

I'm very particular about a lot of things. One of those is my hair. I have enough bad haircuts and colours to last me a life time. Once, I even had someone chemically damage my hair so bad, it continued to break off in large chunks for months. It has been a long time since I trusted someone, on a regular basis, to touch my 'do.' That was, until I found the wonderful and coveted Nicole.

There are few moments in life where you trust someone to take your image in their own hands. It is a very different trust than what you place on your friends and family. This person has the ability to control who you see as your identity. Their is a heavy, personal weight on the impact that a haircut can have. Depending on their ability and skill, they can make, or break that image. That is why it is so difficult for a control-freak like me to put my personal "self" in someone's hands. It is, also, the reason why I hold on to talent when I find it.

I have been visiting Revive Hairloft in South Edmonton for over a year, now. Thanks to a friend's suggestion, I went out on a limb and decided to get my hair done. I was going 6 months between trims for fear that I would land in the wrong person's chair, and end up offending the eyes of all those witness to the certain tragedy that would be my hair. But, my hair had been subject to this practice for so long that it was left resembling the stylings of my father's long, whispy waves of the 70's. So, I took a leap of faith, and left pretty happy -and smelling like a Creamsicle.

Nicole is the cutest, little Italian you will ever meet. She has a flair for fashion, and loves what she does. How do I know this? Because she lives, eats, and breaths her salon. Run by Nicole and Mark, her brother, the two of them have hired a talented team to populate Revive Hair Loft and transform the image of each of their clients, for the better. The salon has, clearly, been touched by Nicole's flair, displaying paintings of local artists next to industrial lights and ghost chairs. Plus, they have this amazing latte machine that makes a coffee I look forward to every appointment. It's the perfect backdrop to start something new.

A few months ago I chose to take off 6-10 inches of hair. It was post-show, and some friends would say that I was not handling reverse dieting at all. On top of my post-comp trials, I was unhappy in my job and searching for my passion. I was at that moment. That moment where I felt I needed a change. Instead of turning to therapy, or the suggested uppers from my doctor, I turned to Nicole and placed my head in her hands. My hair was chopped off in minutes, and I already felt lighter. I loved the cut. I loved the colour. It lasted me all summer, and I couldn't have been happier. But, like any hair cut does, it grew. Although I like how it was growing out, today was the day I chose to do something a little more drastic. I took it all off.

Am I at a turning point? Am I needing a change? Actually, no. Since my first "chop", I have had the time to reflect, find a new job that I love, and take on activities that are more inline with my passion. A lot has happened for me in five months and this new image of mine has helped me get there. It may just be a haircut to some, but to me, it's a game changer. I feel stronger. I feel more confident. Plus, it means I don't have to spend 30 minutes on my hair every morning. You could say it helped me "level up." Sometimes, the best experiences can start with the words, "Just take it all off."