"Guys won't like you with short hair. You know that, right?"

"Your hair is so pretty! Don't cut it."

"Why would you ever cut your hair? It's so long and beautiful!"

"Short hair isn't feminine..."

"Are you sure you want to do that? Did you just go through a break-up or something?"

I heard people say these things to me over and over both before and after I had made the decision to cut my hair. One year ago I cut 20 inches off my head and began sporting a nice boy cut. I, unlike many people, was in love with it. Sure, I've had days where I missed my long hair, but ultimately, I made a decision I was okay with.

This article is for all the people who discourage women who want to cut their hair. Please, for the love of everything, STOP.

My hair is not your hair. My hair does not affect your hair. My hair is not your property.

What I do with my hair is my choice.

Yes, I get that you like my long hair. Yes, I get that I look different with a pixie cut. But, that being said, I am the same person no matter the length of my hair. My personality doesn't change. My nature doesn't change. Who I am doesn't change. Don't get so wrapped up in the cut that you forget who I am as a person. My hair should not define who I am -- and who are you to say that it does?

Women cut their hair short for all different reasons. Some do it for change, others do it to shorten the time it takes to get ready in the morning. Some do it to feel empowered, others do it to get weight off of their head. My point is that all you see is less hair on a person while we see a total change in our daily life.

I plea with you to just let us women be. Let me cut my hair if I want to. Don't try to dissuade me from my decision. Respect my ability to make decisions. And in the case that I'm not fully thinking through it, let me learn from my own mistakes. Besides, hair grows back.

To the women who are considering cutting all of your hair off, I'd tell you to go for it. Take a leap of faith and see how you feel. It's bold and invigorating. Embrace your new phase of life.

Short hair is different, and different is wonderful.