We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Cashion a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I can trace my challenges with my mental health to middle school, where the seemingly awkwardness and social activity made us feel vulnerable. For many years I was lost and drowning in my emotions and mental struggles.
Truthfully, there have been many times that I’ve wanted to give up. I’m an empath and many things become too heavy on my heart and soul. Each time it was too great to handle I had a choice: I could choose to keep going, or I could choose to stay exactly as I was — in those moments, by minimal willpower, support, and divine strength, I got up again and moved forward. What that’s looked like for me has been biweekly therapy and medications, but that’s not a fit for everyone.
By no means has that been easy over and over again. It is quite exhausting. However, the thought of remaining as I am or in a mental place that is destructive is more debilitating to me than doing the internal work of persisting and overcoming and that’s a decision I constantly have to decide.
Within the shadows of my story, I had opportunities to quit, to end it… but through Christ I was shown a way to process and move through those big emotions. He’s saved my life more than I can count. It is a continual journey; one that remains consistent and changes with time. But healing has been possible.
Now, this may not be true for all, how I have overcome and persisted despite the challenges related to my mental health issues has been very literally by the grace of God, my Savior and Redeemer. I never have done it alone.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am what the kids these days call a soft alternative hairstylist, but I would prefer your friendly neighborhood family hairapist! My favorite things to create are lived-in color, vivid money pieces/vivid looks, and fresh haircuts and shags! I love a good blow out and refreshing how someone feels brings me joy!
What has always motivated me and made me feel excited about my job is my connection with my clients. Even though I’m an introvert, I love conversation and sharing life together. I’ve been told good stories, announcements, sad traumas, and job changes. When I can share encouragement or love to my people, I do! My goal is to be a place of safety, of warmth, of a sense of camaraderie and home. Who doesn’t want a place where they can be their most creative and real self while cultivating that for somebody else?
Other titles I hold, but am not well known for, is calligraphist, muralist, and branding assistant. When I’m not being a chaos coordinator at my salon, I am with my family, painting, cultivating my plants, exploring a thrift store, or with my man. I am so much more than a professional hairstylist — I am a friend, a person who sees another human and would give hugs to all.
As a quick but exciting plug, I am currently on the search for more people to fill my growing clientele! So if you or someone you know is looking for a hair transformation or someone to see regularly, please send them my way! If you mention this article, I’ll give you a discount! 😉
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Oh my, this is such a grand vague question, but I’ll answer best I can!
I would firstly say that something impactful for me to realize early on was that there is purpose in the pain. We more often than not try out best to speed run through painful situations or avoid them entirely when the beauty arrives after the fire.
Secondly, is that things can be reevaluated and changed. When growing with friends, family, and even clients — if something isn’t working or we decided on something that doesn’t fit, we can make adjustments. Now, it’s not always possible where there are things we can’t control or things that have final or longterm commitments, but most things can abide by this. The point is to be flexible, kind, forgiving, graceful, and accommodating. It’s about working with and together towards a common goal.
Thirdly, (man, I find I could say more, and there is so much to be considered) we are never done growing. We may like to think we’ve made it or that we are at our peak or we’re stuck or this is as good as it’s gonna get or this is just who I am… it’s simply not true. There is more, we just have to keep challenging ourselves for the better. And if you already have that mindset, some of those opportunities will present themselves! But don’t ever get comfortable with who you are in the sense that you won’t challenge what you’ve always known. Be open to receiving new ideas and open to the thought that you could be wrong!
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Whimsical people! Creative people that are willing to be challenged and grow! You may like music, crafts, plants, thrifting, spending time outdoors when it’s nice out, mental health advocating — all these are me too, so we’d vibe! I would also say flexible people or people that can play with fun colors and change up their look now and again!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/emcashdoeshair
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emcashdoeshair?igsh=MmZxYWVndjFleXN0&utm_source=qr
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
