They always say that your hair is your crowning glory. For women, this has often meant long, luscious locks — the kind you’d see on the head of a princess or a damsel in distress. Anything else was frowned upon or deemed too unladylike. Even a study by researchers in Croatia has revealed that men find women with long hair more attractive.

Recommended Video This has caused many women to do a double take before taking the plunge and trying a new hairstyle. But as the trends and tides have shifted, women are no longer limited to “girly” haircuts, nor do they let men’s perceptions dictate their decisions. The next time you visit your salon, think of the reason you’re walking through that door and make sure you’re getting that cut for no one else but yourself.

It’s Refreshing

If you find yourself stuck in a rut, perhaps shaking up your look is the way to go. It might not erase your problems, but it can equip you with the energy you need to approach life from a different perspective. Consider the iconic Roman Holiday scene as Audrey Hepburn’s character walks into a barbershop and chops off her hair in celebration of her newfound freedom. This also happens to be the haircut that propelled her to superstardom, showing that good things can come out of daring choices.

Instagram / @audrey.hepburn

It Can Be Symbolic

Much like getting a tattoo after a monumental life moment, a haircut can provide psychological relief. It might just be hair you’re cutting off, but sometimes, it can feel much more than that. An article on Bustle featured several women at a pop-up barbershop, who all agreed that chopping off their hair would be a way for them to usher in a new chapter and present themselves as a new person. “I feel lighter I guess,” shared Stephanie Pendleton, a customer at the Scissors and Clippers women’s barbershop. “It’s not like my hair was weighing me down. It was just like what I’ve been through in the last couple years was weighing me down, so I cut it off just to restart my life.”