The Hair That Stayed (But The Programming That Didn’t Half Too)
My youngest son has been growing his hair out for a few years. It started with the need to have Steve from Stranger Things hair (yes, I let my 10-year-old watch that show… don’t judge, I’ve been a mom for 24 years, I’m tired) to go with his “Scoops A-hoy” costume for Comic Con San Diego. The costume only lasted a few hours into the con, but the hair has endured.
This hair isn’t just okay, it is glorious. No, seriously… that is the word most used by people complimenting him. This hair has warranted many annonomos Valentine’s Day candy grams at school, envy from older men at church who are less fortunate, and even one time we were shopping and a man yelled down the isle “Hey, hey, hey (I had no idea some random man was yelling at us), your hair is fantastic, man.”
Needless to say, the hair gets some major attention.
There is a problem though: my son doesn’t want to have long hair anymore.
Trims have been necessary over the many months of growth, naturally. But the next day at school, kids will get mad at him for cutting it. Comments like “You looked better before, why did you cut it?” “Dude, your hair looks dumb, you shouldn’t have changed it.” You know, cruel kid stuff like that.
So, out of fear of being disliked or made fun of, the hair has stayed stuck around much longer than planned.
Isn’t it terrible that, as children, we are subjected to that kind of programming? This learned behavior of “fitting in” so we are liked, loved, and accepted. I assume you have experienced this as a kid. If not, you are one lucky person. Maybe your story is a little different, but the learned behavior is the same. Wear the right thing, look the right way, don’t go against the norm.
You, I, and my son were all born perfect. Our bodies, whatever shape, size, color, etc, came out perfect. Our personality, likes, dislikes, quirks, so on were perfect. But along the way, life chipped at that perfection, replacing it with doubt and shame.
Well, my dear,
I am here to remind you of who you really are! You beautiful, powerful, lovely, unique you!!!
Getting in front of my camera doesn’t just produce pictures for your kids to look back on, it allows you to see YOURSELF. Yes, it’s hella vulnerable but a session with me starts stripping away the programming and letting your true self come through. It is liberating to allow yourself to be seen. I know, I’ve done it… lots. Do I love every single photo of myself? Of course not, but something starts to change within before the images are even seen. A remembrance of who you really are, and I promise it is only the beginning of a beautiful love affair with yourself.
Ready to fall in love with yourself again? Reach out and I’ll show you how.
Hugs,
Alison
P.S. My son is cutting his hair over the summer.
