At first, I was embarrassed to reveal/admit that I had enrolled in cosmetology school. This embarrassment stemmed not only from my fear of loved ones reactions (anything from confusion and comments such as "but you've never been interested in make-up!"to my assumption that people would be disappointed/let-down/displeased), but also from ingrained societal preconceptions that no on e with potential, intelligence, and ambition would ever "lower" themselves to "just cutting hair."
My responses are multi-fold:
People are many faceted and can be college-educated and a hair stylist, interested in sports and make-up, books and television, computer games and knitting, enjoy pink and blue, want to be cute and badass, etc.
Secondly, why should I be embarrassed to have a fun, creative job doing a service for others that they cannot perform themselves? Why shouldn't making someone feel good about themselves and help them find their own kind of beautiful be as important as teaching, healing, or what have you? The answer, of course, is that these types of jobs are all equally worthy and valuable.
It has taken me a long time to find what I want to do with my life--and I'm sure that it is not a permanent discovery. For years, every time I would get a hair cut, I would think "This would be so fun to do!" but I would immediately dismiss the thought because I don't wear make-up, I don't style my hair, and don't pay attention to the fashion industry, and I "could do better."
Turns out, this is better. I am choosing to be proud of this choice. (Side-note: not only am I proud, but I am incredibly excited. I could wax poetic on the subject until the cows come home. And since I do not actually have any cows, that is liable to be a very, very long time indeed.)
unit plan
16 years ago
