Intentional living is not about having a perfect life. It is about paying attention to everyday experiences, learning from them, and choosing the next small step. I was reminded of that after what I thought would be a simple haircut turned into a much bigger lesson.
Have you ever gone to the salon expecting a simple trim and walked out wondering, “What just happened?”
I certainly have.
Earlier this year, I fractured my upper femur and had surgery. While I was focused on healing my leg, I noticed something else happening—my hair was becoming much thinner.
I later learned that’s actually common after a major surgery. Your body puts so much energy into healing that hair growth can temporarily slow down.
I was relieved to learn I wasn’t alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, temporary hair shedding after surgery or a major illness is a common condition called telogen effluvium.
Since my hair has always been an important part of how I feel about myself, I decided it was time for a fresh style. I found a picture of the haircut I wanted and scheduled an appointment with a new stylist because my longtime hairdresser had moved away.
I walked into the salon excited.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
Instead of a simple trim, I walked out with nearly five inches gone and a hairstyle that felt stiff and choppy. It looked nothing like the picture I had brought with me.
I even scheduled another appointment hoping it could be fixed, but it still wasn’t quite right.
Then I remembered that my second cousin is a hairstylist. Although she couldn’t get me in until the end of August, she recommended another stylist at the same salon named Hailey.
What a difference.
Hailey listened carefully to what I wanted. Instead of taking off even more length, she softened the cut with smooth layers that gave my fine hair movement without making it shorter than necessary.
I finally felt like myself again.
Of course, my adventure wasn’t over.
A friend suggested adding a few highlights.
I stopped at Walmart and bought the only highlighting kit they had. It was one of those caps where you pull strands of hair through tiny holes.
Let’s just say…
I ended up much blonder than I expected!
Hailey smiled and assured me I had actually done a nice job. She also introduced me to a better option for next time—buying professional products from a beauty supply store and brushing the highlights exactly where I wanted them.
Another lesson learned.
The Real Lesson Had Nothing to Do with My Hair
As I reflected on the whole experience, I realized this story wasn’t really about my haircut.
It was about intentional living.
Life doesn’t always go according to plan.
Sometimes we have to make adjustments.
Sometimes we need to ask for help.
Sometimes we need a second opinion.
And sometimes we simply have to be patient while things grow.
The same is true in our homes.
Many of us want a perfectly organized house in one weekend.
We want clutter gone overnight.
We want new habits to become automatic immediately.
But lasting change rarely happens that way.
That’s one of the reasons I created The Marilyn’s Way Method.
If you’re new to Marilyn’s Way, you may also enjoy learning about the 9 Daily Habits, the foundation of The Marilyn’s Way Method.
Over the years I’ve learned that lasting progress comes through small steps, simple habits, and intentional living.
One drawer.
One habit.
One room.
One decision.
Those small steps may not seem like much in the moment, but over time they create lasting change.
When I look back over my own journey—from being what I used to call a “pajama junkie,” to recovering from a broken leg, to rebuilding Marilyn’s Way—I see the same pattern.
I didn’t change my life overnight.
I changed it one small step at a time.
That’s the heart of The Marilyn’s Way Method.
Whether you’re decluttering your closet, building better routines, recovering from a difficult season, or simply trying to create a more peaceful life, remember this:
You don’t have to do everything today.
Just take the next small step.
It really does matter.
🌿 Continue the Journey
If this story encouraged you, I’d love to stay connected.
Every Tuesday I send Turnaround Tuesday with Marilyn, a free newsletter filled with:
- Personal stories from my own journey.
- Practical homekeeping tips.
- Monthly Refresh ideas.
- Encouragement for intentional living.
- Simple ways to put The Marilyn’s Way Method into practice.
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Small Steps.
Simple Habits.
Intentional Living.
The Marilyn’s Way Method
