One’s hair is an ever-changing aspect of the human body. Cut, dyed, weaved, straightened, layered, spiked, locked, buzzed, streaked, curled, trimmed, shaped, highlighted, shaved, styled – there are so, so many things one can do to their hair. Doing any number of these things on the regular is pretty standard for youth right now, who seem to be gaining agency, freedom and creativity with their appearance more than ever before.

Throughout one’s teenage and young adult life, there are many reasons to switch up your ‘do. Every break between school years or semesters is an opportunity for a hair change, to come back to everyone looking different and cool. I still remember coming back to twelfth grade after winter break with navy blue hair and watching all the small-Southern-townies gape. There is a power in altering your appearance, a refresher and confidence-inducer.

Sometimes these opportunities are bigger and call for more drastic change. Moving, going off to college, break-ups, getting a new job, visiting some awesome event or place: many people want to look and feel extra special for new chapters in their lives. Looking different can make you feel like a new and better person, or at least a newer and better person that you strive to be. Want to feel more artsy and free? Dye your hair pink and try an undercut! More professional and adult? Go shorter and try bangs! Just want to totally feel like somebody else? Go your opposite color or shave your head! Naturally, “free” and “adult” and so forth are completely subjective, but the point is that hair is one of those amazing body qualities that is quick and easy to change to suit your immediate needs.

It can get difficult when family or work or finances limit what you can do to your hair. I myself have been practically having withdrawal from unnaturally-colored hair since it’s against my job’s dress code, and I know many people, especially teenagers, who can’t achieve the hairdo or color they want because of their parents’ restrictions. Patience is definitely key, but there are things you can do to subtly move towards your desired effect. Layering or trimming your own hair (or getting someone you trust to do it) can give you a fresh shape to hold you over until you can do something bolder, just like dying or bleaching just a streak or under-layer, or even just styling it much differently than your usual.

Whether in small or large chunks of alteration, changing your hair can change you, which is often the desired effect. Many people, especially and/or stereotypically girls, often get large-scale cuts or colors after break-ups, to help them move on and feel like a new person without their ex. Leaving for a new place is also a common big-change catalyst, since there will be all new people and experiences, and getting a new ‘do can be like an all new you too, fresh for this new place. Especially if the place or people you’re leaving weren’t a good experience for you, this can be very therapeutic and refreshing, like being able to take off a wool sweatshirt in the middle of the Sahara.

Whatever reasons you need or choose to change your hair, there is a sense of catharsis and freedom in doing so. And in this ever-changing world and society that is becoming more and more accepting and woke and youth-driven, there has never been a better time to experiment and play and achieve.