This past year behind the chair changed me in ways that didn’t always look dramatic from the outside. There were no overnight breakthroughs or viral moments to suddenly make everything click. Instead, the growth was quieter, built through repetition, reflection, and showing up even on days when motivation felt thin.

I used to think success as a stylist meant momentum: a packed schedule, constant validation, visible progress. This year taught me something different. Success, for me, looks like consistency. It means posting even when it feels like no one is watching, investing in education even when it stretches me, and trusting my instincts enough to believe that the work I’m doing matters, even when it’s happening slowly.

More than anything, success has come to mean connection. The moments when a client walks out feeling genuinely beautiful, when someone feels safe enough to be honest in my chair. Taking the time to really listen and customize—not rush or assume—has become its own reward. Getting better each time, not just faster, feels meaningful in a way that metrics never could.

One of the biggest shifts this year came from boundaries. For a long time, my schedule looked fine on paper but was quietly wearing me down. Having Sundays and Thursdays off left me feeling stuck; I couldn’t camp, travel easily, or really rest. Changing my schedule to work every other Saturday felt scary at first, but now I’ve made a schedule that works better for both my clients and my life. It gave me room to be present with the people I love and reminded me that rest is part of sustainability.

Creatively, this year brought clarity. I fell back in love with color and extensions, especially lived-in color and hand-painted techniques. There’s something incredibly satisfying about building a formula, trusting the process, and watching it come to life—even when the bowl color makes me internally panic for a moment. The creativity, problem-solving, and constant learning reminded me why I chose this career in the first place.

The variety of clients I worked with this year also stayed with me: women of all ages, teens just starting to explore their identity, people from entirely different walks of life. Each appointment felt like a small exchange of trust, and I don’t take that lightly. I’m grateful for how kind and open so many people were with me and how much those experiences shaped my days.

Social media challenged me more than I expected. At one point, I had to step away from TikTok. The constant bad-mouthing of hairstylists, often over minor issues that could easily be fixed, started to sink in. It made me anxious, and I found myself worrying about being publicly criticized for something small after staring at a head for hours. Seeing similar rhetoric on other platforms, especially around pricing and work-life balance, only added to that tension, and I had to remind myself that real life happens in the chair, not online.

Charging my worth has been another uncomfortable but necessary lesson. I’ve invested time, education, and energy into refining my craft, and asking for payment that reflects that value was intimidating at first. Each time I give a quote or finalize a price at the register, it takes courage, but it also reinforces that respect for my work is non-negotiable.

When I changed salons, I stopped performing and started showing up honestly and fully. I leaned into my authentic self, explored new ways to communicate with clients, and doubled down on the work that grows my skill and confidence. Planning, research, content creation, and education became part of the routine, and it reminded me that showing up is often more important than looking perfect.

Looking ahead, sustainability in this career feels clearer than ever. It’s about continuous learning, building meaningful client relationships, and being intentional in how I work. I want to continue growing professionally and personally, and I know that balance, boundaries, and dedication are the foundation for that.

Next year, I want to be a stylist who embodies authenticity. I want my chair to be a space of kindness, connection, and calm. I want to expand my knowledge, refine my craft, and grow my clients. I want to show up honestly, work hard, and be mindful and intentional in everything I do.