BEHIND THE HAIR

---------

"My greatest dream is to teach more men to love.. 

To love and accept themselves.. 

To love and see others..

And importantly..

To love and see our women in all their divine beauty.

Through learning to connect, listen and trust,

being vulnerable and compassionate, 

I believe healing is truly possible!"

- Jake Putan

...

"During a moment of self reflection, I thought to myself - who were the best barbers in Australia, and why? - was it their talent?.. their reputation?.. how many haircuts they could do in a day?.. or what they were contributing to the industry? It was in that moment I began to wonder what I was actually doing myself apart from just cutting hair in a shop.. What was I using my platform and influence to actually contribute to not only my clients or other barbers, but to the community and the world in general?

This brought up many questions for quite some time. Fittingly, I was called to take part in a wellness retreat, diving into self exploration and the initial discomfort of addressing suppressed emotion.
 

What I processed was a bunch of experiences within past and present relationships, allowing healing through forgiveness of myself and others by creating perspective and understanding.
 

It occurred to me in this moment that as a barber I could share this experience with my clients in hope that they could learn this power of love, while I hold space for them just as they do for me. I felt a huge passion ignite to put this vision out into the world, not just for me and my clients, but for as many people as I can reach. I dream to see men learning to love. My own experience has shown me in the past multiple clients opening up but mentioning they don't have anyone else in their lives that they feel they can speak to. No space to be heard. No connection. No love.
 

Poor mental health is such a contributing factor to the quality (or lack of) in almost EVERYBODY'S lives.. Why are we afraid to communicate? Why do we often run from having those conversations?.. I believe much of this has everything to do with not feeling safe within our friendships/relationships, because we're afraid of being seen, and afraid to see others.
 

I realised quite quickly how important this issue was and how much we need to work together to allow people to feel okay about speaking out, listening to and loving others, as well as ourselves. It's about swallowing our pride, acknowledging our faults, our fears, our emotions, and sharing the knowledge that it is okay to admit our weaknesses. Understanding that we become far stronger by doing so.
 

A friend of mine told me once that shame only exists in silence, so when it is spoken on, it no longer exists as shame, and so begins the healing process. This becomes our duty to offer our friends/family/clients a safe space in our lives (and our chairs as hairstylists) to acknowledge their emotions so they're no longer hidden. Because through acknowledgement comes transformation.
 

Let's stop ignoring this issue, let's have these conversations and encourage vulnerability with each other, let's raise the standard of the community together, by carrying ourselves in a way that respects, loves and shows up for those around us. Let's be aware of the effect of our actions and how that message speaks to others. For the barbers and stylists, let's ensure to always offer a service of high value that is more than just a haircut, it's a safe place to talk and be heard!
 

We can each only do what we can, one moment at a time, but together we can make a change and be a light for those around us by connecting, collaborating and sharing with one another.

If you can relate to this and would like to get in touch, I'd love to chat further through the 'MENTORING' button below. 

We need everyone to make this move, 

as the saying goes - it takes a village!"

---------