I am a few months shy of graduating from cosmetology school.
I'd put it on hold for far too long because no one really supported me in it and I allowed everyone to discourage me from it. I realized after working in corporate environments for more than 20 years that if I'm going to work hard, it should be something that I enjoy doing, and I've always loved doing hair.
I was doing my mom's roller sets at age 11 and successfully rollerset my own hair until it was too long for me to do myself. It's always been normal for me to wear 2-5 different hairstyles in a week because I love to experiment on myself. Earning my license will be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life!
My advice to anyone considering a cosmetology career is this: you've got to love it and want it. If you do, you will be able and willing to deal with the "nasty attitudes," difficult customers, etc. Personally for me, I deal with nasty attitudes at my corporate job anyway. Your hands do not have to stay wet all day because in many salons, you can have someone shampoo your customers for you. The money potential is unlimited. It all depends on what direction you go in. Think outside the box. Being a stylist does NOT have to mean being behind a chair all the time.
I approach my impending cosmetology career with lots of hope and excitement, as well as a touch of fear at making a drastic career change. But cosmetology is my talent and love and I know and trust that I will be extremely successful and happy in such a career.