When I decided to dye my blonde locks brown in the midst of a painful divorce, I realized the act of changing my hair was less about defiance and more about manifesting positive change
Our circumstances are so different. But there is something so relatable about this essay. I think it might be this: “There were countless things out of my control because of the divorce, but my hair was one thing I had complete control over.” I have a similar relationship to my tattoos, which I started marking myself with regularly after I realized I wanted a divorce.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! I'm a huge fan of tattoos myself, with some new ones in recent years. I also got a tattoo removed after my divorce. Again, one thing I could control, and removing something that was supposed to be permanent felt meaningful too.
I love reading about your life through your hair. And I can relate to this! Went purple after my hair grew in grey, post-chemo. Then platinum with pink swatches, which I loved! Now that I think more, I did a henna when I moved from the Florida Keys to Orlando, then I went blonde. Still blonde! Not disappointed. xo
Thanks so much, my dear friend! I love that you do different colors too. I think my base will always be blonde, but I know I'll continue to try some new colors. xo
Heather, I loved reading this! It makes so much sense. I also used to dye my hair as rebellion, and to purposefully look "different," like I didn't care what people thought, when in reality I cared TREMENDOUSLY what people thought. (I still care way too much! I'm a recovering people pleaser). But it's interesting how powerful the act of changing your hair can be, and all the symbolism in it.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, Hope! I loved writing this and realizing the symbolism of all my different hair colors over the many years. (And I too am a recovering people pleaser.)
Such a relatable piece! I first tried to dye my hair blond in Vienna at 18 with a Japanese girlfriend who had no experience, which resulted in red hair for a few years. Great work!
Our circumstances are so different. But there is something so relatable about this essay. I think it might be this: “There were countless things out of my control because of the divorce, but my hair was one thing I had complete control over.” I have a similar relationship to my tattoos, which I started marking myself with regularly after I realized I wanted a divorce.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! I'm a huge fan of tattoos myself, with some new ones in recent years. I also got a tattoo removed after my divorce. Again, one thing I could control, and removing something that was supposed to be permanent felt meaningful too.
I love reading about your life through your hair. And I can relate to this! Went purple after my hair grew in grey, post-chemo. Then platinum with pink swatches, which I loved! Now that I think more, I did a henna when I moved from the Florida Keys to Orlando, then I went blonde. Still blonde! Not disappointed. xo
Thanks so much, my dear friend! I love that you do different colors too. I think my base will always be blonde, but I know I'll continue to try some new colors. xo
Heather, I loved reading this! It makes so much sense. I also used to dye my hair as rebellion, and to purposefully look "different," like I didn't care what people thought, when in reality I cared TREMENDOUSLY what people thought. (I still care way too much! I'm a recovering people pleaser). But it's interesting how powerful the act of changing your hair can be, and all the symbolism in it.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, Hope! I loved writing this and realizing the symbolism of all my different hair colors over the many years. (And I too am a recovering people pleaser.)
Love this! It’s so true that sometimes an adrenaline boost can stand in for courage until that courage is finally there!
Thanks so much, Joy! And yes, I totally agree!
Great to see yourself in many different ways! Love that energy.
Thanks so much, Joelle!! Thank you for reading.
Great piece! I've never colored my hair (or had the urge to) but I love this window into your psychology in hindsight
Thanks so much, Jocelyn! I’ve been coloring my hair for so long I have no idea what my natural color looks like anymore 🤣🤣🤣
Such a relatable piece! I first tried to dye my hair blond in Vienna at 18 with a Japanese girlfriend who had no experience, which resulted in red hair for a few years. Great work!
Thanks so much, Amy! I've definitely had some hair colors go wrong too. Glad I don't have any pictures of those disasters. ;-)
Loved! I so relate to how connected changing my hair is to big life transitions!
Thanks so much for reading, sharing, and chiming in, Blair!
I love this! And I totally agree. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.