Try a new hairstyle.

“They offer to do balayage, and I nod and pretend I know what that is. The phrase “low maintenance” is used several times, so they obviously know who they were dealing with. Three pots of dye are produced and painted on to bits of my hair, which are then wrapped in tinfoil. I refuse five or six more offers of coffee while I wait and hope that the tinfoil is part of the process and not my new hairstyle. The shining and rustling would attract too many birds. Luckily, the foil is taken out and I am left with soft blondie-brown bits, which blend in with my normal colour, and a nice haircut with trademark fringe intact. It is like my normal hair, but better.”

“Four hours and $120 later, I left the salon with my dark hair streaked with blonde highlights. My kids were ecstatic. My husband was pleased. And I … I was miserable. I’d wanted my hair to reflect my changing self, and instead I’d ended up looking like someone completely different. Maybe I just needed to give it some time, hear some other opinions. I posted my picture on Facebook and waited for the response. Fifty likes and 20 nice comments within a few hours. It was flattering to receive all those compliments. Still, I was unsure. Maybe after a good night’s sleep I’d feel better about it.”