The Quarantined Cosmetologist

That's correct.  I'm a quarantined cosmetologist.  Allow me to do a little background information for you all, but not too much to bore you to death.  Honestly, I don't even care if you or anyone reads this.  This is for my own sanity. 

I'm an independent hairstylist in the state of North Dakota but live in Minnesota. So just let that anxiety sink in for a little bit.  Overwhelming fear as you watch what happens in the state you live in and the state you work in.  What's happening in this county and that county.  What this Governor is saying and what this one is saying.  My god.  It was enough to turn a persons brain into mashed potatoes.  

I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2005.  I worked for a cooperation until 2018 when I finally made the decision to become a business owner and go independent. It was the best decision I've ever made.  I finally had 100% control over my schedule and nobody could tell me what I could and couldn't do anymore.  No more missed family reunions, baby showers, weddings, or feeling guilted for being sick.  The best part of the whole thing was that all of my clientele followed me.  Without them my salon wouldn't exist.  

So after being independent and having all this extra freedom to be as flexible as I wanted, I became bored.  Before I go any further I would like to clarify one thing.  Free time doesn't mean slow.  I literally stack my clients back to back so I am making the most out of my commute into work and not sitting around twirling my hair.  I also work a majority of evenings which I actually don't mind even though my clients always apologize for keeping me late.  It's not like I have children to pick up from daycare or soccer games to get them to.  Just two Boston Terriers named Howard and Oliver.  I have nothing better to do, I actually love my job.

Back to my boredom, I decided to pick up a second job.  I have worked this job before, for almost seven years actually.  I had done some part time work with them and I really loved working there.  The job is fun and rewarding and the bosses are just as fun to work with.  I only quit initially because I wasn't sure how long a person should have two jobs.  After almost five years of being away, I'm back.  It helps fill my mornings and give me something to do.  Most people would love to have mornings off.  Yeah, maybe in the spring, summer, and fall.  You need to remember that this is Minnesota.  I don't enjoy any of the outdoor activities here in the winter.  You won't find me making a snow angel in my yard but perhaps see me gazing at nothing with a cup of coffee in one hand and trying to entertain a very needy nine month of puppy with the other.  Lets just say I don't sit still well.

When talk of the coronavirus started, I really wasn't worried one bit.  It didn't seem like anything that would ever concern me, especially not here in the Midwest.  I went about my every day life without ever thinking of it.

My husband and I had taken a long weekend trip in late February.  People asked me if we were still going to go since it had made its way to the states.  I still went, I still wasn't worried at all.  I just continued my daily germaphobe ways.

It really didn't hit me until I realized that the toilet paper situation had hit.  That was about two weeks ago.  I stood there in complete disbelief.  I had seen this on the news.  I had seen this in other parts of the country.  I never thought that I would see the panic hoarding happen here.  

I watched as concerts and sporting events started to get canceled.  Then the schools started to get let out.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Was this real life?  I never thought I would see anything like this as long as I lived.  When my part time job got shut down that's when it all started to become real.  Small businesses all across town were closing. I had to make a very important decision and I had to make it fast.  Do I close my doors too?

I started to move my clients around so I could get everyone in last week.  I was prepping myself for the worst.  For the unknown.  Thankfully everyone was understanding and grateful that I was able to get them in, that my doors were still open.

Minnesota salons were forced to shut down.  I have several friends who are stylists in that state and my heart was going out to all of them.  No job.  No income.  I started to feel the pressure rising in my chest.  Was I going to make it to Saturday?  Was North Dakota going to tell us the same thing?

As the week progressed I had clients reschedule which I made very clear to them that it was okay!  If you don't feel comfortable being out of your home please reschedule.  As I got toward the end of my week I was able to push my Saturday clients into my Friday.  

It was the hardest and most gut wrenching decision I've ever had to make.  To close my doors on my passion, my career, my business for an undetermined amount of days.  I think that's the hardest part.  The unknown.  If I knew that it was going to be for a week, two weeks, or a month I would feel better.  I would be able to see the end of the tunnel.  At the end of the day this was the most responsible thing to do.  I couldn't be selfish and think about myself and my pocketbook.  Every single day that I kept my doors open was just more temptation for my clients to be out and about.  We all need to work together and flatten this curve, or whatever they call it.

Yesterday was officially day one of quarantine.  I had to find something to do, I can't sit on the couch and watch TV all day.  I'm just not that person.  So I started deep cleaning my house.  I spent several hours in the spare bedroom.  Going through piles of crap that I've shoved here and there.  Out of sight out of mind.  I reorganized and tossed anything that "didn't spark joy" and I think I'll slowly move room by room like that.  Maybe even touch up on some paint.

Today was a little better.  I didn't feel like pulling my hair out.  I did take both dogs on a walk at a near by park.  I think that will be what saves my sanity.  The days are getting longer and the weather isn't so miserable.  I'm going to try to spend as much time outside in the fresh air while avoiding all human contact.  

So here I am.  The girl who picked up a second job because she can't sit still is sitting "still".  I made the decision to document this somehow.  In my younger years I would use pen and paper.  Typing is my preferred method these days. Welp, until next time.