First off, I don’t want this title to be taken literally, especially if you’re a lady, UNLESS you’ve already seriously considered it and want to shave half your head. For the most part, the head shaving I’m talking about is metaphorical; a sort of cleansing if you will. You see, I shaved half my head 3 years ago the second week of March, and I haven’t turned back ever since.
It was no easy feat to convince my parents to let me perform such a task, in fact, even after showing them photos, writing them a letter and explaining that I wanted this new hairstyle, they still said no…and I still did it. Well fast forward to three years later, and I can easily say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made…and not for the obvious reason. Yes, it’s easier to be “edgy” and have a signature look with an undercut, and those are both awesome benefits. My favorite part about this decision, however, is that not only has it made me immune to what others think, it has also helped me to teach people about judging others.
You see, I’ve gotten, “Wow you seemed so mean before I met you, and you’re so nice!” more times than I can count. I personally, don’t think I’m intimidating or scary and I don’t think I look it; I’m of a slight build and I’m average height. When people meet me and talk to me and see that I am always excited and happy about life, they’re surprised.
There’s a schism between my presentation and my personality and I like that. I like that people are taken aback when we talk. I’ve had to move around a lot, including moving cross country, and I had to learn how to make friends from a young age; I know how to talk to people and I’m not going to be mean to someone unless they truly, truly, give me a reason to be. My friend Ryan looked at me the other day and said “ I hope that one day I can love a woman as much as you love everything”. I think life is one of the most beautiful gifts in the universe, and I truly try to be positive and happy whenever possible. I will always greet someone with a smile and thank someone for their work. If there’s one thing I am, it’s grateful; for this life, the opportunities I’ve been given and just to be alive in general.
This confuses people. Even though I may look darker and edgier, I don’t surround myself with negativity and anger. Shaving half my head has helped me to look more macabre and more punk, and I’m all for both of those things. Coupled with my style and my love of black, and I can understand that people would assume that I am not necessarily a ray of sunshine. But I truly believe that we should all question our judgments of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. I have been doing my best to judge less and I think it’s so important and worthy.
Why should you shave half your head? Well, to feel confident and sexy, obviously, but to also help people realize that sometimes judgments aren’t worthy, sometimes the most beautiful gift you can give someone is to let them show you who they are before you have any expectations at all. I like to think I help people reevaluate their expectations and judgments when they talk to me, and that’s easily the best part of having an undercut.