The Transformative Power of Hair | Thriftanista in the City

3.18.2011

The Transformative Power of Hair

morphing courtesy of www.yearbookyourself.com
I seem to think about my hair a lot on Fridays. Weird. Anyway. Fifteen years ago, I stopped perming my hair. I was never one for sitting in a salon and getting the new fresh hairstyle. My hair was always in a bun (in high school!) or ponytail with a really bad bang.

After a year, I decided to cut it all off. It was looking really bad by now with a lot of hair textures. My life was also out of order. Cutting my hair off seemed right. I went to my mom's barber (she wasn't much for salons either) and had the "big chop".

It felt good but I don't think I look that great with short hair AND I lived in an area that didn't cater to my hair texture. Maintenance was becoming a problem. It was impossible to keep my lil fro in nice neat freshly done shape.

When I washed it, I loved the little coily shapes that formed and couldn't resist the urge to constantly play and twist them so I just kept doing it.

Within a few months my hair started to loc. 

I changed jobs. I had a new city life. I was newly single. 

I've always felt the changes came from my decision to cut.

With my new hair, I met new interesting people and discovered new places - poets and poetry sets; reggae and reggae clubs. (good times, good times)

It was in a reggae club where I found a new love. I fell in love with his country (the country I plan to move to permanently). I fell in love with his culture. I fell in love with his friends. I married again and had a baby. I never saw any of this happening. None of this was even on my radar as a possibility. My life was fine the way it was. Leaving the place I was at before the chop was good enough for me.

I really do believe my life was transformed by simply cutting my hair.

Next Tuesday, I'm cutting my hair. Not a lot but more than I've cut it in the last 14 years. 

I wonder if the magic is still there.

Last week I was all "it's just hair" and now I'm thinking of power in hair. The less I sleep the more philosophical I become. Sleep depravity comes with perks!

Happy Friday!

What do you think? Does hair have the power to transform?

3 comments

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I've never put much thought into my hair. Because of it's texture, every day is a different hair day. I can't predict what it'll be like. So, I just learn to roll with the punches and have learned to pay no mind to it.

Hope you'll show before and after photos of your transformation!

Juanette said...

I have had the itch to cut my hair for about 6 months, I believe that this is just what I need to renew myself! You're putting notions in my head again, lady....

Mama Violet said...

@Nilsa Im usually just go with what my hair wants to do too but lately its all over everything, in everything, and of course the hair pulling.

Today is cut day! Woohoo!

@Juanette go for it and then blog about so I can see it!

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