You know how some people eat too much when they are stressed? Well, I recently realize that one of my coping mechanisms is to change my hair. I have changed my hair a lot, particularly in the last 10 years. But, now it's becoming
at least an annual thing.
Each time after I have had a baby, about 6 months after (once I have lost most of the baby weight), I do a hair makeover. I thought it was the fact that during pregnancy I feel hopelessly ugly and like I will never be seen as attractive or sexy again because I have become such a MOM. So, once I'm not pregnant anymore I decide to redefine myself as a WOMAN, and I do so by giving myself a little makeover. It was a post-baby tradition. And then after this most recent makeover, I started looking back at my various hairstyles and realizing that I have changed it way more often than just 3 times (for 3 babies) in the last 6 years.
So, in analyzing my propensity for changing my hair, I have started to wonder if it is perhaps because I am insecure, always searching for that one thing that will make me feel beautiful (maybe somewhat), or if I change it because I am bored (I love being a stay-at-home-mom, but let's be honest, it keeps me pretty cooped up), or if it is like a self-soothing behavior because when I am stressed, afraid, or feeling helpless, I can take control by changing my hair. I don't know. It's probably a little bit of all those things. But, mostly I just do it because it is FUN! It just gives me a boost, a spring in my step, and a reason to put myself together! It's like a little adventure each time I try something new. It's an expression of my personality.
I'm probably overanalyzing. I guess I just wonder why I am so hAirDD, when other people are so content to have the same hairstyle for 15 years. Like my little sister, for example--every time I change my hair I ask her when she's going to cut hers. She always says, "if you have a beautiful face you don't have to change your hair to look good!" She's kidding, I think. ;) Or maybe it's because she shaved her head when she was 13 (even I'm not that adventurous), and she hasn't changed it much since it grew back from that. I think she has post shaved head trauma stress syndrome or something. Whatever her reasons, she has had the same hairstyle for at least the last 7 years. She'll deny it. She's one of those girls that will say, "my hair's not the same, I just cut off like 5 inches and had layers put in" but it looks exactly the same to me. There are a lot of girls like that. I mean, really think about it for a minute, how many hairstyles have you had in the last 10 years? Have you ever changed the color? Which leads me to my bigger question--do you keep the same hairstyle because you are secure and know it is the best for you?. . .or do you keep it because you are too afraid and insecure that you won't look good? Or conversely, do I change my hair all the time because I am very insecure?. . .or do I change it all the time because I am secure enough to try variation? Fascinating. . .the ins and outs of the female psyche, particularly when it comes to beauty. I think about this stuff a lot. What do you think?
I have previously mentioned my issues with my weight and shared pictures of my "fat" days. So, now here are pictures of my various hairstyles (I only have pics from the digital era, I didn't feel like scanning any, so that only covers about that last 8 years, or so.) Hope you get a kick out of them. In fact, if you feel so bold, you can even tell me which of my hairstyles you like best.
This is the current Tiffany hairstyle for Spring 2010. (This is the shortest I've ever been.)
This is the oldest picture on my computer, from about 2002 I would guess. My hair even got longer than this.
This was my first Post-baby Makeover, after baby #1. (circa 2004) It screams "Soccer Mom!"
This was my Post-baby makeover after baby #2 in 2007.
Later in 2007.
After Baby #3, I decided would grow it out really long, so I grew out the bangs, changed the color, and played with loose curls.
Nope, 3 months later decided I was not going to grow it out, time to chop it off. So, this officially qualifies as post-baby #3 hair transformation. This hairstyle (which, I loved most with the curls, but I didn't curl it very often), was the Spring 2009 version. In fact, I got this haircut less than a year ago, and then got the urge to get even more cut off. (I blame it on the job loss!)
And as far as the color goes, I've still always stayed some version of a redhead, because honestly, redheads are awesome! Red definitely is the perfect color for my personality!
Whatever my deepest, psychological reasons are for changing my hair it doesn't change the fact that I enjoy it! It lifts my spirits, and I am a sucker for being told how fabulous I look! So, I want to give a special thank you to those of you who tell me (regardless of my hairstyle) how cute I look. It's amazing how much one little compliment can lift someone up. I need to remember that and dole them out more often, too! Which reminds me, I gotta give the credit for my fabulous new hair (and all of my hairstyles for the past 3 years) to my amazing stylist Stephanie Wolford. She's fabulous!
Ruby has discovered the wonderful (and, if you ask me, dangerous) world of our backyard. It freaks me out, but it makes her so happy and she could spend hours out there. Each day I am forced to choose between listening to her scream at the door or letting her brave the great outdoors and risk possible injury. I am trying to find the right balance, because I'm not totally comfortable with either option. You think I wouldn't care as much by child #3, but it still gives me anxiety. Ruby is by far my most fearless child yet.
Ruby trying to back herself down into the water. I spent the entire time trying to keep her from completely submergine herself in the icy river.
She would splash her hand in the water and then lick the water on her hand.
