A Purpose For Everyone
It’s a tail as old as time and we’ve all heard this quote at some point in our lives…
I have to admit, I’ve been luckier then most with the opportunities that have come my way. By no means have they been handed to me, though. Literal blood, sweat and tears have been put into my journey through pro-beauty, but I can’t deny the fact that this journey has put me in places quickly, which many have worked tirelessly to get to.
With these opportunities have come some incredible people along the way (and some not so incredible) and some of those people have hugely impacted my life.
Some have absolutely tested me…
Oh man, have my buttons been pushed time and time again by the people I have let in. Sometimes I was able to work through it, and others, well, I have had some moments that have made me pretty embarrassed by my behavior.
We all have been in this position and have felt that heat rising deep inside of us. It’s a mixture of anger, hate, fear, disgust and frustration, but the real test is how you control it. Sometimes it bursts out and we react without thought (I like to call this a blackout), and sometimes we can find the strength to take a deep, deep, DEEP breath and not allow it to control us.
Something my friend Nina Kovner has always preached is “Don’t engage with crazy”.
When that volcano is boiling inside of us, ask yourself this question…
“Is this person set in their thoughts/ways or willing to change their perspective?”
I guarantee that 9 out of 10 times it wont be worth the argument and the best thing you can do is not engage. I think this is the biggest test most of us feel we go through on a regular basis.
Some have taught me lessons I didn’t expect to learn…
Maria Pleshkova “Self-portrait, from ‘Metamorphosis.”
When you were little, did you fantasize about meeting a celebrity you liked, an athlete or someone else you admired? We do this same things as adults with the mentors we’d like to reach out to or the stylists we look up to.
My biggest lesson with that was learning that they’re people too; with faults, lives beyond hair and are actually real human beings, like us.
You can read more about it here
Some have used me…
Who hasn’t ever felt used by a salon owner, company or someone we have allowed into our lives?
Unfortunately, we usually can’t see it coming and when we do see the red flags, we can feel that we’re in too deep and are not quite sure how to get out. People from the outside perspective can tell us “Just leave” or “Just quit” or “Just [enter something here that isn’t as easy as it seems]”
Don’t allow these moments to break you. Take your time to process them, feel them, learn from them and try to make a game plan for next time, cause as sh*tty as it is… there will be a next time.
Please, just don’t allow these people to swallow you whole and bring you down to their level.
You are better than them. Period.
I am most grateful for the ones that have brought out the best in me…
Annie on her first day of Esti school - 2006. Peep them chunky highlights.
For the longest time I thought of myself as nothing but broken, ugly and useless - on the inside and out. It’s not easy to change this thought process alone, we need help from others too.
My start into pro-beauty was a rough one. During my time at a very well known school, obtaining my Esthetician Lic. back in 2006, the owner of the school would do mock interviews. I was a quality student, learned quickly, gave a damn good facial and was excited about my future. During my mock interview, the owner completely belittled me, told me I would never have a place in this industry and no one would ever hire me.
It broke me.
Fast forward to 2012 and finding the courage to obtain my Cosmetology Lic, it opened doors to people, experiences and the ability to create strong bonds with others that have absolutely help make me a better person.
The opportunities to grow my confidence, skills, education, communication and so many more things that have ultimately helped me develop into a strong, smart, capable person that has no doubt in her mind she can accomplish what she sets her sights on.
Ok, there’s still doubt, but it’s easier to ignore that voice now because of the people I have chosen to surround myself with.
Moral of the story is that you can choose to remove the toxic people, keep the ones that make you feel like sunshine and try your best to pass it on.
There is a purpose for everyone and you do belong in this industry and always know that if you’re in a bad spot, reach out to the good ones to help lift you up. We’re out here waiting to give you a helping hand.