The Balanced Hairstylist, Kansas City, MO (2026)

01/08/2026

When we talk about upsetting events over and over, our nervous system can interpret that as a threat happening again.

It keeps the body and a constant state of stress.

The other impact this can have: when we hear emotional reactions from multiple people, especially when we are already personally disturbed, it can cause secondary fatigue.

Even without direct involvement, and even if you agree with your clients, our nervous system systems can absorb that emotional weight.

Options for redirecting:

It’s deeply upsetting for me, so much so that I really can’t talk about it. Can we shift the conversation to something else?

This is really impacted me too, and for my own emotional capacity, I am not going to be discussing it at work.

If you need support, reach out in comments or DMs. Or join the free community.

12/16/2025

3 ways I support my nervous system on busy days

1️⃣ I pause between clients.
Even 30–60 seconds of quiet helps the nervous system complete one interaction before starting the next. Sometimes that pause happens in the bathroom—and yup, that counts.

2️⃣ I ask my nervous system what it needs.
Support isn’t always “calm.”
Sometimes it’s butterfly taps and deep breaths like today.
Sometimes it’s shaking it out, screaming into a pillow, or writing “that last appointment made me feel really sad” and throwing it away.
The goal is allowing the response, asking yourself what you need, not controlling it.

3️⃣ I use music to transition out of work.
I listen to instrumental, lyric-free music on the drive home. Music is a big one for me and it helps signal safety and separation from the workday.

🎧 Want my calming, drive home playlist? Send me a message and I’ll send it to you!

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now—I see you.
You’re not doing it wrong. Your nervous system is just asking for support. 💙

12/15/2025

We’re often holding so much behind the chair.
How do we show up for our clients without abandoning ourselves?

In this episode, we talk about how we can navigate grief in our beauty spaces.

Whether a client has lost someone close to them or maybe how we deal with our own grief as well behind the chair.

Join me and grief counselor, Jefri Franks, as we walk through the conversation of how to show up for others with compassion without losing ourselves in the process.

The Balanced Hairstylist Podcast is on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

I hope this can reach those that need this conversation. Please send on to those that might.

09/03/2025

KC beauty professionals,

I’m honored and exited to offer this FREE monthly mental health for all beauty professionals!

Last Monday of each month, 9/29, 10/27, 11/24, and so on.

Meet at event space from 10a-11:30a.

A safe space to come together. No judgements, no performance, just open hearts.

The guided meditation is for all levels, no need to be a novice, beginners welcome.

Conversation in community for support, challenges, and celebrating each other.

Totally free. Just bring a yoga mat.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there!

06/03/2025

“Being a pseudo therapist while doing someone’s hair is one of the most emotionally taxing aspects of this career.

We show up to create beauty on the outside, while often carrying the invisible weight of what’s on the inside.”

Resonate? Comment MORE.

To read the entire essay I wrote in a heartfelt tribute to the silent work we do behind the chair, please comment MORE below to become a part of this community and mental health revolution. (And a robot will send you a link to a space for you to feel seen and heard)

If you feel this deeply, please know that you’re not alone. I see you.

11/07/2024

We cannot put on the proverbial oxygen mask for our clients when we haven’t put on our own masks first.

We cannot help others process when we have not processed this ourselves.

We are human, too. We get to have boundaries. We can say: “while I’m so glad to see you, please refrain from talking about the election. Thank you for respecting my mental wellbeing.”

Sometimes clients believe they’re the only ones having this conversation with us, but when you spend the whole day helping multiple people process the same thing? Exhausting! and draining!

Take care of you, loves. In whatever way you need. Here if you want to reach out for support.

💙💙💙

09/20/2024

This logo represents more than just a visual identity—it’s a symbol of the journey we’re on together. As hairstylists, we often find ourselves balancing creativity, connection, and emotional labor behind the chair. We learn how to hone our craft in school, but what we aren’t taught is how to care for ourselves in the process.
We’ve all heard things like, “get a haircut, it’s cheaper than therapy,” but the truth is, while we hold space for our clients, many of us aren’t equipped with the tools to handle the emotional load. I know firsthand the toll this can take. After 22 years in the industry, I’ve been there—burned out, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to manage it all.
That’s why I created The Balanced Hairstylist. I wanted a place where we could dive into these real conversations about mental health, boundaries, and the importance of self-care. This logo represents that mission—to help hairstylists and beauty professionals find balance, connect, and thrive in this beautiful yet demanding industry.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and here’s to a more balance in our lives!

09/14/2024

Season of: gently emerging.

Hello again! Sarah here. If you’re new here, welcome—I’m so glad you’re here! And to those who’ve been here for a while, thank you for sharing in this journey with me!

I’m a hairstylist, razor educator, and passionate advocate for the mental well-being of hairstylists and beauty professionals. After years of feeling overwhelmed in the industry, I founded The Balanced Hairstylist. Through conversations with fellow stylists, I realized I wasn’t alone in feeling emotionally drained from our profession. We’ve all played the role of a “therapist” behind the chair, but we don’t receive any therapy training.The Balanced Hairstylist is here to empower us to create healthier, more balanced relationships with our careers.

Currently, I’m slowly re-emerging afterk a much-needed pause—not just to enjoy summer with my two kids and partner, but to reflect, plan, and, most importantly, restore balance.

Social media is such a hard thing to balance, do you feel the same? If I’m here to encourage you to prioritize your mental health, I must also lead by example and prioritize mine. Thank you for your patience.

I’m in a season of emerging and unfurling, letting things unfold as they are and embracing imperfection along the way. Learning to show up in un-perfect, authentic way that also supports you.

Thank you for your patience and continued support. I’m excited for some new things coming soon! And looking forward to the important conversations we’ll have around mental health in the beauty industry.

What season are you experiencing right now? I’d love to hear.

05/09/2024

No judgements here, just curious. Let me know how you feel about this.

Do you squeeze clients in outside your working hours?

03/08/2024

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I’m reminded of the remarkable women I’ve encountered. From hosting workshops to fostering networks of support, I’ve witnessed the resilience and strength of women firsthand. I’ve seen women find their voice, their strength, and being able to stand in their power. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life.

One day of recognition does not seem like enough for capturing all of the women who persist, stand up for themselves, and pave the way for future generations.

To all the phenomenal women: I see your determination, your brilliance, and your unwavering spirit. Happy International Women’s Day to all the extraordinary women! Thank you for inspiring me!

03/04/2024

Let it go. Untangle yourself from other people’s stuff. It is not yours to carry.

The Balanced Hairstylist

01/08/2026

12/16/2025

12/15/2025

09/03/2025

06/03/2025

11/07/2024

09/20/2024

09/14/2024

05/09/2024

03/08/2024

03/04/2024

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