I don’t know what came over me this week; my hair's getting pretty long. It has created some nostalgic feelings for me, and I felt like getting a mullet. I’ve always greatly appreciated the mullet, but for such a long period of time, I felt it was somewhat taboo. I think the mullet is a great hairstyle, and I feel like it represents freedom and the ability to fully embrace who you are.

Personally, I have always appreciated art, creativity, and expression, and hair is included in that realm. In New Zealand, growing up, there is a cultural appreciation for hair and the avenue for expression it can provide for males. I think, for the most part, men have a smaller avenue for expression through fashion and overall appearance, but one significant avenue is our hair and the multitude of hairstyles available.

The mullet has survived decades, and I have always felt a connection to this haircut. I think it is a long and wavy alternative to a free-flowing fringe or a wolf cut for a woman. However, it's what it represents to me, as well as its negative perception from a large portion of the population, that truly invigorates me and my attachment to the hairstyle.

It’s funny because I’ve had a few mullets throughout my life, primarily when I was a late teen and young adult. As I've gotten older, I've felt that the "unprofessional" hairstyle was inappropriate or somewhat an unacceptable style of haircut. But it’s actually something that I admire, acknowledge, and enjoy. It’s a haircut that takes me to some incredibly happy places in my mind and makes me feel alive.

Sometimes in our lives, there are things that we are led to believe through community engagement, family, friends, or whatever it may be, that there are things we enjoy that are not acceptable. But if they make us happy, then what does it really matter?

The key to being happy, is choosing to be happy, doing, feeling, and being happy, regardless of any preconceived ideologies around what that looks like.

Embrace the mullet and dare to be different

Thanks,

Dean