I left the beauty salon feeling lighter than I had in weeks. A fresh haircut, a subtle glow, and the quiet attention of someone making me feel polished had lifted my spirits more than I expected. Walking down the street, I noticed a few lingering smiles and caught my reflection in a shop window. For a moment, I felt radiant, almost like a version of myself that had been waiting to be seen.
Life had been busy, and self-care often took a backseat. That brief salon visit felt like a reset. I walked taller, breathed easier, and let myself enjoy simply feeling put together. Confidence, I realized, often comes from the little acts of kindness we show ourselves.
Then, at a crosswalk, a stranger’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Miss, you might want to check the back of your jacket.”
My heart skipped. I reached behind me—and there it was: a large price tag, still flapping in the breeze. My confident moment instantly collapsed into embarrassment… and then, unexpectedly, I laughed. Not at anyone else, but at myself, quietly, genuinely, and completely.