This is a bit of a rant, so you’ve been warned…Feel free to scroll to the end for the crafty meat of this post.

All of us have a little voice inside that gives us direction in our lives. It tells us small things like when we are driving, “Switch lanes ahead. There’s a garbage truck in front, and you know that means you’ll get stuck behind it in traffic.”

When it is something so small, we tend to automatically listen and obey. But, when we have other people’s voices trying to drown out our own, it’s not so easy to listen. We begin to doubt ourselves: “Maybe they are right and I am wrong. Maybe I should do what they say.”

I am really guilty of this myself, but more and more I have become a lot better at listening to my own voice, no matter how tiny the sound. Yesterday, was a perfect non-craft example of this. I have a stupid video thing I have to do for work next week, and my hair is a total wreck. It’s summer, so I’ve just been pulling it back with the idea that right before fall semester starts, I’d go have it cut so I look fabulous during my first few days of school when I have a zillion meetings to go to before classes begin.

But, the video thing threw a wrench in my plans, so I had to get it cut n-o-w. I have very long, fine, straight hair, and I am very lazy. If I have to do more than brush it out a few times a day, forget about it. Because my hair is so long and has nothing going on, many hair dressers see it as a blank canvas for them to have their way with. No matter what I say, they don’t listen and go nuts with layering and all kinds of other crap they I tell them not to do.

Just cut it straight across and bangs; how difficult is that really? Apparently, it is very difficult for most of them because I’ve been brutalized so many times now that I’m extremely gun-shy when it comes to getting my hair cut. Most assume that I’m afraid of getting it cut because it’s so long. That is not it. I know my hair will grow back. It always does. I don’t want someone else deciding how my hair should look, especially when I’m paying them to cut it the way I want it to look.

So, back to yesterday….I had an appointment with the only woman that has listened to me in years and actually cut it as I asked. When I get there, I’m informed that the manager forgot the woman had the day off, but that C. could do it instead. I first said no, but she assured me that C. would do a great job and do what I asked. Well, the video is next week, and my choice of hair dressers only works one day a week, so I relented.

45 minutes later, I was still waiting for C. to do her thing when the receptionist informed me that C. wouldn’t have time but their shampoo guy could do it. My tiny voice is now getting louder, “H*ll no!” As the receptionist is guiding me back to Shampoo Guy, I finally stop, literally, and say, “No, this is wrong. I’m leaving.” Of course, there was much protest on their part, “Shampoo Guy is great. He’ll do a great job.” Yeah, like do I see anyone else getting their hair cut by Shampoo Guy? Nope!

I made an appointment again for my selected hair dresser, but I seriously doubt I’ll go back there. I feel used and abused to say the least. Yes, my hair is still a mess, and now my only option is to try to get my dear DH to give me at least a trim so it doesn’t look all that bad, but it is better than what I know could have happened, and I’m very glad I did not listen to all those protests and give in. I just know from past experience that I would regret it.

So, how do I relate all of this hub-bub to career crafting? This is how. Listen to your voice no matter if…

• A crafts book editor tells you that your book idea is not so great.
• You get a rejection letter from one of the zillion craft magazines out there.
• Your crafts aren’t selling on Etsy (or wherever), and a friend tells you to copy what more successful sellers are making, even if it is not your style at all.
• Relatives and well-meaning friends suggest your craft career is not practical.

I’m sure you can add to this list, so please feel free to do so.

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