Just to set the scene. Broke up with gf in May, been on a self improvement quest every since, have mild AA, about to turn 31.

Just last year I finished my music performance degree. After much deliberation I decided that I want to teach English in Japan. During these summer holidays I have been spending all day researching, preparing and applying for jobs in Japan.

I have needed to make some significant changes to make this transition. In the last few days I have started to notice a lot more attention from girls that would have ignored me before. I didn't change for the ego boost though it has given me more confidence in approaching that I did not have before.

One of the things needed is a resume photo. This should be taken in a professional suit with a slight smile and confident gaze. This meant that I had to go to my local barbers and trim back the hair and loose the 10 month old beard. This is the first time I have been single and beardless in a long time. With an increased awareness of fashion and a cleaner face I feel like a new person.

Fast forward to a week ago where I decided to jump back on tinder. Even though I am leaving the country soon I still like chatting and learning from people. I decided to upload my resume photo and to see how it would go. I can defiantly say that the beard is not coming back soon. Some responsive matches have been incredibly attractive and nothing like beard matches. I am still yet to meet any of them but I am not in a rush. My focus is on job applications and learning Japanese.

This new found confidence has led to approaches. Tonight I went to a friend's workshop and complimented a girl on her dress. We got to talking a little bit and she gave me her card. Small victories I know but they add up. Since I am going to be living in a country where I cannot speak the language soon I feel the urge to appreciate conversation here.

I still have a long way to go to reach my goal and hope that my next post will be in a different hemisphere.

TL;DR - Shaved beard, feel good, liking the confidence it brings.