Staying Stuck Won't Get You Anywhere
So here it is, the post I have been dreading the most. The post everyone has been asking me about and the post I took myself off of social media for. "Cierra, why did you quit doing hair?" Well guys, that's a really great question...
Let me first start off by saying beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, looks, etc. and I think that's something that is beautiful yet we find ourselves putting ourselves in boxes that we have to either look a certain way, or dress a certain way, etc. I found myself attracted to the beauty industry when I was just a little girl, blah blah blah, I won't go into the cliche story, but it was true, at such a young age I loved everything about it. I loved the makeup and what it could do to accentuate a face or the hair colors or cuts that could bring depth and dimension to someone yet the beauty industry can also be just as cruel and mean if we don't fit into certain boxes we're supposed to live in. When I first started hair school I pushed myself to be the best I could be, to the point where I was exhausted and by the time I had gotten out of beauty school and renting out my own chair I was just over it. The truth is I couldn't handle the pressure. I hated every minute of hoping that whatever client was in my chair, that they loved what I did and by golly if they didn't I was devastated. I just couldn't deal with that amount of pressure. I would come home from the day and not be physically exhausted but mentally exhausted from all the bullshit my mind would put me through.
In the end that's why I left, I couldn't face another day of exhaustion hoping someone approved of the work I did on their hair because in reality we all see things differently. I also couldn't stand the fact that we put unrealistic expectations onto people. I would have someone come in and show me a picture of Kim Kardashian and they would say "I want this" and if I didn't follow through it was heartbreaking, so I quit. I felt so ashamed of myself, how can someone put so much time, effort, and money into something and then just quit. I was mortified! I remember my teachers in hair school saying, "just wait, in three years you won't see half of these women or men doing hair." How could I already be that statistic, I had only been in the business for a year. This is when my mom stepped in and told me "Cierra if you're miserable, don't stay stuck!" And she was right, life is to damn short to live a miserable life, so what if I'm that statistic I deserve to live a life of purpose and a life that I want to live. I also want to mention that the beauty industry is also really amazing if we let it be, I applaud all those amazing stylists putting in countless hours on their feet. It just wasn't the right fit for me.
That's what has brought me to here! Yes, unfortunately I have to tell my awful, embarrassing stories to the world but I hope this shines a light to those who may be stuck doing things they aren't wanting to do and challenge yourself to be the best person you are or maybe you're tired of the beauty industry putting you into a box you don't belong, so stand out, be you! I still want to incorporate the beauty industry into my blog and my life, just a healthy way of doing it. I wouldn't say I'm the happiest person right now, somedays I still dislike my job, but I'm better off than what I was. So don't stay stuck, bring purpose to your life!
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts the most"
Photograph courtesy: Taylor Wismer
With love,
Cierra
Let me first start off by saying beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, looks, etc. and I think that's something that is beautiful yet we find ourselves putting ourselves in boxes that we have to either look a certain way, or dress a certain way, etc. I found myself attracted to the beauty industry when I was just a little girl, blah blah blah, I won't go into the cliche story, but it was true, at such a young age I loved everything about it. I loved the makeup and what it could do to accentuate a face or the hair colors or cuts that could bring depth and dimension to someone yet the beauty industry can also be just as cruel and mean if we don't fit into certain boxes we're supposed to live in. When I first started hair school I pushed myself to be the best I could be, to the point where I was exhausted and by the time I had gotten out of beauty school and renting out my own chair I was just over it. The truth is I couldn't handle the pressure. I hated every minute of hoping that whatever client was in my chair, that they loved what I did and by golly if they didn't I was devastated. I just couldn't deal with that amount of pressure. I would come home from the day and not be physically exhausted but mentally exhausted from all the bullshit my mind would put me through.
In the end that's why I left, I couldn't face another day of exhaustion hoping someone approved of the work I did on their hair because in reality we all see things differently. I also couldn't stand the fact that we put unrealistic expectations onto people. I would have someone come in and show me a picture of Kim Kardashian and they would say "I want this" and if I didn't follow through it was heartbreaking, so I quit. I felt so ashamed of myself, how can someone put so much time, effort, and money into something and then just quit. I was mortified! I remember my teachers in hair school saying, "just wait, in three years you won't see half of these women or men doing hair." How could I already be that statistic, I had only been in the business for a year. This is when my mom stepped in and told me "Cierra if you're miserable, don't stay stuck!" And she was right, life is to damn short to live a miserable life, so what if I'm that statistic I deserve to live a life of purpose and a life that I want to live. I also want to mention that the beauty industry is also really amazing if we let it be, I applaud all those amazing stylists putting in countless hours on their feet. It just wasn't the right fit for me.
That's what has brought me to here! Yes, unfortunately I have to tell my awful, embarrassing stories to the world but I hope this shines a light to those who may be stuck doing things they aren't wanting to do and challenge yourself to be the best person you are or maybe you're tired of the beauty industry putting you into a box you don't belong, so stand out, be you! I still want to incorporate the beauty industry into my blog and my life, just a healthy way of doing it. I wouldn't say I'm the happiest person right now, somedays I still dislike my job, but I'm better off than what I was. So don't stay stuck, bring purpose to your life!
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts the most"
Photograph courtesy: Taylor Wismer
With love,
Cierra
I can hear your momma say those words! This is awesome! #proudofyou L.R.W.
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