Throughout most of my life, I always had shorter hair. It ranged anywhere from right at shoulder length to the pixie I have now. (Disclaimer: I did grow my hair out after high school past my shoulders before I cut it into the pixie). I always remember people asking me why I never had long hair. Or I’d hear a number of these comments:

• “Short hair is for boys”
• “You’d be prettier if you had long hair”
• “Why have short hair?”
• “Are you going to grow it out when you get married?”
• “I bet short hair is so much easier”
• “Your long hair was better”
• “Not everyone can pull off THAT look”

Now, some of these comments could be positive or negative depending on the person and context of the situation. Some people really do mean well even if they don’t say it in the right way. But, there are still those bad apples that spoil the bunch. I have fairly thick skin, so none of the comments ever bothered me.

But what does it mean when a girl has short hair? Well for me, it meant I became a person I always felt like I was. The right haircut can literally transform your whole persona. I will never forget the day I finally cut 12 inches (yes, I cut a whole foot of hair off) to donate and transform me into a pixie. I had NEVER had such a bigger confidence boost in my life. It was like I came who I always meant to be. I felt sassy, bold, and still feminine. So no, short hair isn’t JUST for boys.

I think short hair also gave me the confidence to try things I never had before. I always liked wearing makeup and some jewelry, but I finally had a good excuse to experiment. I tried bold lipsticks (and got tons of compliments from both men and women). I tried wearing funky earrings, and I had people ask me where I bought them from. I would even have people comment on how I carried myself and that I just exuded confidence.

If you’re ever thinking about taking the plunge, I always say do it. It took me almost three years to get to that point. But once I said yes, I never looked back. When they say it’s just hair, it’s true.

It really is just hair. But that hair can make or break your confidence. So take the plunge, get the cut, and flaunt it to the world. Be true to you.