Journal 212 - Australia

I have been proactive these last few days. I haven't been content with just standing around and sweeping up (which actually admittedly, I do rather enjoy, don't ask me why). I'm just sure that I'm worth more than only having one client a day. I felt as if I didn't really deserve the money I was earning. I was even feeling that my colleagues begrudged me being there, even though I was helping them to do their job. I just felt it was time to do something more. So I took drastic action. 

I made a poster. Yes, that's right. I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. I didn't think that the girls were promoting me. Or at least not from where I was standing. You know what they say, if you want something done your best off doing it yourself. And after all, it is my career and my side of the business, I shouldn't be relying on them to do all the work. I want this and I must prove it. I spent an hour or so making up flyers, then a further hour delivering them to the local businesses. 

I'd like to think my time was well spent. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will go into the salon and my column will be just as full of back to back clients as the other girls. After all I've made the effort so gaining something out of it would truly be wonderful. I know I raised some interest at least, one girl even approached me on the street and asked 'Are you a hairdresser... Do you do nails and that?' So I suppose I was doing something right. 

On arrival today I also tried different make-up styles. I've not worn so much slap in a long time. Or possibly ever. I kept jumping at my own reflection because it was so unfamiliar to see myself like that. I just felt I needed to step up to the look, become more of what people might expect to see when walking into a House of Beauty. Somebody that is well made up and presented flawlessly. It will take some getting used to, but in truth I quite enjoyed it. Plus it means I will relish my make-up free days even more so once the 'war-paint' comes off. And that's what it is. War-paint, a mask to get through the day, a camouflage in fact. I almost see it as a way to keep my work life separate to my real one. I could get used to putting on this show. 

Even though the last few days have been a little slow, I do enjoy my work. I have found a passion in my career path and all the time I am putting in the effort, I am getting it all back. I have explored different avenues and ways to show my passion. After all I my profession is one of the most relaxing ones to be in. It also gives a great sense of satisfaction. I spend my day chatting to and making lovely ladies feel amazing about themselves. Another thing I am quite enjoying is I have an excuse to act a little ditzy at times. Not always, because I could never get away with it. People that know me know that I am cleverer than the average stereotype of a 'Dumb-Blonde-Beautician'. Which I really hate as a stereotype. Still it is fun to play up to it on the odd occasion, like when I'm not sure what a word means or I have a blank moment.  It does not mean I am in any way condoning people placing Beauty Therapists and Hairdressers into that stereotype. We are all far more clever than we are given credit for. And what we lack in a degree in rocket science we do make up for in Common Sense and the ability to create hair and make up to turn each and every woman into a Goddess.