My month-long summer work trip through Europe and Asia was fast approaching and my imagination was running wild with visions of all the life-changing adventures I would soon be experiencing.

For this particular jaunt I would be visiting London, Dubai, Thailand and a few other exotic stops along the way. I could barely contain my excitement. But the pressing question of the moment was what to pack??
One of my favorite parts of working as a hairstylist and makeup artist is the opportunity to work with sensational clients and travel the world while doing it.

Lugging a massive amount of baggage around public transportation in Europe and on smaller planes in Asia certainly would NOT be sensational. So I began to think about how I could simplify.

How much is too much?

Work trip = work products so I’d definitely be bringing all my Paul Mitchell humidity resistant faves, hair dryer, flat iron, outlet plugs, and converter. And since it would be hot! hot! hot! everywhere I’d be traveling, only minimal clothing and bikinis were required. Seemed simple so far. But what about my own personal grooming needs?
I had two options: load up on products to keep my blond, curly, mid-length hair from frizzing up or get blowouts twice a week. For this trip I was trying to make money and not go into debt so I nixed the “I must be a rich girl cuz I get blowouts twice a week” fantasy and resigned myself to the fact that I’d have to tote 40 pounds of products and tools around the globe. Ugh, no thank you.

What to do?

While commiserating with a fellow stylist about my dilemma this Buddha of hair dropped some serious inspiration on me. “Why don’t you just cut your hair?”

I was going to be traveling to the land known for simplifying life down to the most basic elements and focusing on only the things that matter. Chopping off my hair, streamlining my routine, and experiencing a new level of freedom was exactly what I needed for my trek.
So I chopped it. And the euphoria that came from making this huge (to me) change was indescribable! Traveling through these beautiful and inspiring countries without having to worry about what the humidity would do to my locks was simply A-MAZ-ING.

A year later I began growing out my hair for something else new and exciting. I had truly loved every moment of my short, cropped hair and knew that, at a moment’s notice, I could do it again if I were so inclined.

To chop or not to chop

Maybe you’re looking to make some changes in your life, to simplify, to find a freedom that you’ve never experienced before.

Maybe you’re looking for an excuse to chop things out of your life that are no longer bringing you joy or serving your needs. Consider this your invite, your reason, your excuse, your manifesto to make the changes you need to feel the freedom you deserve. Whatever situation (person, event, opportunity) that arises that pushes you to chop it like it’s hot, BE FEARLESS, because that’s what’s really hot!

And you don’t necessarily need to chop off all your hair but if you decide you want to, I know this great new stylist who has a few openings….

Rachel Cole/author
Celeste Greenlee/editor