Periodically, something superficial starts to bother me, like I get sick of my clothing style, or angry about my crooked tooth, or I start considering what my hair would look like with purple streaks in it. From experience, I know it’s an indication that, ultimately, I’m dissatisfied with something more significant in my life. (When I’m in a good mood, feeling energetic, getting work done, when I feel like I’m doing what I was born to do, I hardly give a thought to my hair, what I’m wearing, or the state of my teeth.)
What I learned was, the only way to relieve significant distress is to make a significant change- get a different job, move, associate with different people, deal with an issue you’ve been avoiding. Spend your time differently. Lead a different lifestyle. When you’re thirsty, getting a foot rub or hearing an epic song might be nice for a few minutes, but it’s not going to solve your problem.
I realize that not everyone has the same reasons for performing the same action. But I have to admit that when I see someone with hair that’s a rainbow color, I do wonder, Are they just expressing their artistic side and having fun, or do they hate their life? The ones that especially worry me are the ones whose hair color changes drastically every couple weeks. Part of me wants to sit them down and explain that there is no hair dye in the world that can substitute for quitting your job or breaking up with your boyfriend. You gotta bite the bullet.