Can a woman change her outlook on life with just a simple haircut?

The answer is yes.

It was a beautiful Saturday. The sun was shining; the temperature was perfect. I really shouldn't have had a care in the world, but I did. I was really stressed about life and my hair was only making it worse. As I lay on the floor (yes, on the floor) trying to muster up the strength to tackle my natural, 4B tresses, I had an epiphany. I yelled out loud to no one in particular, "I'm cutting my hair off!" My friends asked if I was seriously going to go through with it and asked if I wanted to start with a cut that wasn't so drastic. I told them that I was indeed serious, and I made my way to the salon.

I always admired women with short pixie cuts. I wanted to be one of them, but there were so many things holding me back. I was extremely attached to my hair, and I never explored the many options I had when it came to changing my hairstyles. I never dyed it, cut it, or went far beyond the classic side part with the excess hair tucked behind my ear.

Cutting my hair was an interesting experience. I was anxious. I was apprehensive. I was regretful. All before I even saw the finished product. But I was in the chair with 20 years of growth on the floor surrounding me – and there was no turning back. I cried throughout the duration of the cut. Although my stylist assured me that crying was normal, I couldn't help but feel like I had made a mistake.

The moment I saw my finished haircut, I realized what Coco Chanel meant when she said a woman that cuts her hair changes her life. Cutting my hair was one of the best things that ever happened to me because it allowed me to finally see everything that hair represents for women. It embodies femininity, identity, liberation, and control. It was beautiful. It made me feel free, it made me feel empowered... like a brand new person. Yes, it was an extremely drastic change, but it was symbolic. If I had the courage to cut off my hair, then of course I could find the courage to cut off any negative energy, people, or stress that I felt was consuming my life – the same stress that led me to cut my hair off in the first place.

Although it may not seem like it, cutting my hair did a lot for my self-esteem as well as my confidence.

It taught me to be brave. Watching the hair that once fell past your shoulders fall to the floor is extremely frightening.

It taught me to have patience. Because this was such a significant change, I had to learn how to work with my new length, and I have to be patient when waiting for it to grow back.

It taught me to make my own choices and ignore other people's opinions. Before cutting my hair, I didn't consult anyone. I didn't seek anyone's approval. I made the choice completely on my own. For the first few months after I cut my hair all I heard was, "Why did you do that?" or "Your hair was so long!" This caused me to second-guess myself, but it also taught me to love myself.

Not that I didn't before, but it made me realize that self-love is a daily discovery and a daily life lesson. Sure, I loved myself when my hair was long and curly, but I had to learn to love myself in all ways. Short hair, long hair, even no hair. I mean, what if I woke up one day and my body decided to no longer grow hair? I would have to learn to love myself through that as well.

Now that I have cut my hair, donated it to Locks of Love for children suffering from long-term medical hair loss, and ultimately changed my life, all I have to do next is be featured on The Cut Life. Will you be brave enough to let your luscious locks go?