It’s amazing how small changes to our appearance can make us feel.  Anyone who has ever laced up a new pair of sneakers or walked out of the salon with a fresh new hair color knows how exhilarating it can be to switch up your look, even if only for a day.

You’re probably familiar with the trope of getting a haircut after a breakup or other traumatic experience, and while it sounds silly, studies show that we often cut our hair during difficult times as a way to mark an important life event.  We’ve seen this sort of dramatic change in pop culture, from Katy Perry’s bleach blonde pixie cut to Emma Watson’s choppy new “baby” bangs. While we don’t know what prompted these famous faces to switch up their equally as famous hairstyles, it’s safe to say that it certainly got people talking.

Change Your Appearance, Change Your Life

While getting a new haircut tends to be the most popular route many people take, there are tons of other ways to elevate your look when you’re itching for a change.  Changing some aspect of your appearance can give you a much-needed self-confidence boost, especially if you find yourself receiving compliments from others. If you’re thinking about making a change to your appearance, whether big or small, here are a few positive ways you can expect your life to change!

You’ll feel more confident

When we look our best, we tend to feel our best as well, which is why making a change in our appearance can be such a mood booster.  Whether you’re looking to make a small change, like a new tattoo or a bigger one, like getting a breast augmentation, upgrading your look can make all the difference in the way you feel about yourself.  If there is something about yourself that you wish you could change, taking the plunge and finally doing it can be what you need to feel better about yourself.  Of course, physically altering your appearance isn’t a solution for deep-seated problems, so be sure to ask yourself why you’re really doing this before making a change.

It can make you more productive

This next point typically only applies to changes in personal fashion, as changing the way you dress can have an affect on your productivity and overall mood.  One of the reasons many schools enforce a dress code policy is because it is believed to make students more productive, as they aren’t paying too much attention to what they’re wearing.  Another reason for this is that dressing up in nicer, more formal clothes can make us feel more confident, therefore making us more productive without us even realizing it. This also works when going for a job interview or another occasion when you want to make a good impression.  They say to “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”, so take this into consideration when you’re getting dressed in the morning!

You can be more creative

Taking the liberty to alter your appearance however you like is one of the most creative forms of self-expression.  Whether you want to dye your hair a fun color or get a cool nose piercing, allowing yourself to be creative with how you look is a great way to boost your self-confidence and find your own style.  If you are required to wear a uniform to school or work, there are still ways you can be creative and show your style within the confines of the uniform. Something as simple as wearing a fun pair of socks or putting some cute barrettes in your hair can help your personality shine through, and you’ll instantly feel more like yourself by incorporating bits and pieces of your personal style in your outfit.

While there are so many benefits of changing your appearance, it is also important to remember that doing so will not make you happy or fix all of your problems.  Switching up your style or changing something about your physical appearance is simply a way to have a little fun with your look and boost your confidence. Remember that at the end of the day, it’s what’s inside that counts, so it is important that you’re happy with who you are regardless of how you look!