The Weight We Weren’t Trained to Carry

And it's time we talked about it.

There is something that happens when we stand behind the chair. Yes, there is magic there that we create with our hands. But there is also something that happens, an invisible exchange of energy, and often we carry this. We carry the stories, emotions, and energy our clients share.

We hold space through heartbreaks and celebrations, through growth and grief. We walk beside our clients through so many seasons of their lives.

And then move on to our next client, and move through the rest of the day like it was no big deal.

But what we do IS a big deal. Our jobs blur the line between stylist and therapist.

Cosmetology school and classes don’t teach us how to deal with the emotional weight of our work. We are not taught how to process the emotional toll of being a “hairapist.”

I used to come home from work completely drained, every single day. Not because the day was necessarily long, but because I was taking on other people’s stuff, energy and emotions. I was carrying a load that was not mine.

I loved being there for my clients—I still do—but I didn’t know how to protect my own energy while holding space for theirs.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And more importantly: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing something that no one taught us how to do.

That is why I’ve built this community and founded The Balanced Hairstylist - a space that supports our mental health.

I’ve witnessed healing in community - not just once, but over and over again. Through retreats, small groups, and open-hearted conversations, I’ve seen what happens when hairstylists come together in safety and honesty.

It’s powerful. It’s sacred.

Being a hairapist, it often feels like we carry the invisible weight alone. But, I am here to tell you: you are not alone.

You deserve to be seen.

You deserve to be validated in the overwhelm.

You deserve support.

Come join the community.
It’s free, private, and all about our mental health.

No comment, no situation, no question is silly.
I want to hear from you.
I want to support you on your journey—wherever you are, whatever you’re feeling.

We’re in this together.

And if you’re not a hairstylist, I bet you know one who needs this. Please share it with them.