I refuse to change myself for a boy. However, I am all for changing myself because of one. Or a girl, or my family. Basically, what I do when it comes to people is if they tell me I can’t pull a physical change off, odds are I will do it to prove them wrong. Also, my motto is “if you can’t change how you feel, change how you look!” Which can be a dangerous, yet cleansing game.

An “emotional haircut” doesn’t just limit you to a cute bob. This applies to a new piercing, a dye job, even a new diet. Just something you drastically change in your life because it seems to be the only thing you can control. That is the main reason for it; it gives you something to control in a world where you have so little.

I am a victim to cutting my hair, getting a new piercing, changing from a nose stud to a hoop, working out and getting a tattoo. Something about the change almost feels like a refreshing upgrade, and it's really nice to prove the doubtful wrong because anyone can rock any change as long as you wear it with confidence -- even if it's just a new lip color! I have even changed some of my style based on what others said I couldn't wear or because some clothes reminded me of a time I want to forget, and I couldn't be happier.

Your change will make others take notice, it can build your self-esteem and it will help take off some baggage from the past. Chopping off my hair was one of my best decisions ever. I had many people telling me I would hate it, that it wouldn't look right, that I look "prettier with long hair;" however, as soon as the scissors chopped off the first half, I could tell I made the right choice. I almost felt free, like chains bond to me by lies people had fed me were cut off with my hair.

No matter what, it is important to understand that the change is done for me, and no part of me regrets it. If I could go back in time I would do the exact same things again. I will continue to get "emotional haircuts" in the future, and I will never change for anyone else. I respect myself too much.