[untitled] Zine Essay

One: I love reflective writing. Any chance I have to observe people and write about what I learn as a way to help means a ton to me. So when I was given the opportunity to write an essay as a “year in review” at Cincinnati’s dopest salon, I was 100% in.

Two: One of my life mottos is, “Make things that unite people under a common purpose.” Whether it’s an essay or a dance party, I am all about it.

Three: Ever since high school I have had a goal to give a TED talk. Could this essay touch on some of the themes for my talk that I have had rehearsed for years? Maybe…

[Read Me]

One year ago I reflected upon High Five Salon’s 2020 in an essay to be published in our first ever zine. Unfortunately, our zine is still in the on deck circle due to delays caused by yup, you guessed it, Covid. Another year gone by and another handful of goals and expectations muddied by the ongoing pandemic. Sadly nobody has gotten to read that piece yet but despite all the delays, we keep moving forward. At High Five, we keep focusing on what we are experts at: Fresh Looks and Bold Love.

But man, let’s be clear. It has not been easy. Not. At. All.

The strain of waiting for change is catching up to all of us. We talk about it in the break room and we hear it from our clients’ mouths. The question, “Can you believe we’ve been doing this for two years now?” bounces off our walls almost daily. Well, here’s the answer: No. We can’t believe it. Here we are - faces still covered by masks and working harder than ever while we wait for things to change. “Normal” life looks almost completely different than it did 2 years ago. Did we ever think it would be normal for a bunch of adults to have a swab shoved up their noses on a regular basis? Or saying stuff like, “viral load,” or “antigen.” What. The. Heck. I bet you didn’t anticipate knowing this much of the Greek alphabet either. I know I didn’t…

As hair stylists we have always been in this unique position to hear the stories and life experiences of the public. The past couple years have been particularly special because the average person is interacting with others less but not us. High Five is busier than ever and as a result we are living life alongside one another and our clients more than ever. We’ve had the unique privilege of providing a top shelf service but also to be a listening ear to Cincinnatian’s lives during the wildest couple of years in recent history. It’s truly been an honor.

Despite all the craziness, I do notice something really cool happening though. People are still living their lives. Marriages are still happening. Friends are still laughing. Families are still vacationing. Clients are still getting their hair done. We have found a way to make it work and it’s definitely not ideal but remember my last essay? Life is anything but ideal. In 2020, my time at High Five solidified the truth that real life is raw. Now when I consider 2021 and think about what the staff and clients of High Five have taught me, it's that life is malleable. Real life is ever-changing and won’t look the same tomorrow as it did today. Sometimes that change is worth celebrating. Other times it’s worth weeping over.

Here’s what I am so impressed by: We keep going. We keep trying to find ways to make this all work despite unprecedented frustration. Call me a pessimist but I would have anticipated more people experiencing disappointment and giving up. Don’t get me wrong, those situations have definitely happened. I’ve had friends and clients navigate life-changing hurdles like job loss, divorce, mourning, injustice, depression… but even those individuals press on and find a way to make it work.

For what it’s worth, I am not kidding. I am so, so impressed. I am continually honored to hear your stories and your commitment to living life in the face of hardship.

Aside: As I have been contemplating this idea and writing about it I cannot help but have a better understanding of those minorities who experience daily disappointment and frustration for reasons outside their control. Undoubtedly there are hardships that affect black, indegenous and people of color; LGBTQ+; mentally ill; and women that I as a straight, white male with a full-time job do not have to consistently endure. If we gave up when we experienced hardship in life then we could not offer each other or our society the blessing of our perspectives. Therefore, it would be much easier for our minorities to give up and not push for a better life. Our culture needs the perspectives and stories of minorities. I revere their continued push. Nobody’s life is without difficulty but I could not in good conscience write something like this without calling out that obvious reality.