Ever found yourself wondering if you’re stuck in a hair rut? I’m asking for a friend, but really, I’m talking about myself here!

I suspect I might be in one of those periods, and my feelings about it are rather mixed.

A bit of background—I’ve been sporting the same long, layered, salt-and-pepper hairstyle for several years. Before this phase, I was much more adventurous with my hair, experimenting with different colors and lengths. However, I’ve clung to this particular style recently, primarily for its convenience.

Long hair, for me, has always been easier to manage.

It can be quickly styled into a bun or ponytail, and when worn down, a few quick curls with a curling iron suffice.

I completely understand the urge for a dramatic hair change. Over the years, I’ve frequently answered the call for transformation—chopping, highlighting, and trying out various styles.

Lately, though, I haven’t had that same itch. Occasionally, I consider changing my hair color, but someone—usually a stylist—talks me out of it. I wonder if, at this point, I’m clinging to this hairstyle as a form of comfort, a security blanket that provides a sense of stability in my life.

Alternatively, it could be that I’m now more apprehensive about change than I once was.

The true reason eludes me for now.

Interestingly, this hair rut also brings to mind my middle school teachers. It seemed like all of them, without exception, had hairdos that were straight out of the ’60s or ’70s. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t update their styles to something more contemporary. Looking back, I realize they might have been navigating their own versions of comfort and fear of change.

Ultimately, it’s just hair, and in the grand scheme, it might not be a big deal. Yet, it sometimes feels like it signifies something deeper.