Work has been… a lot lately. We’re down two people with no permanent hires in sight, and the temp solution doesn’t exactly scream “long-term stability.” Add in policy changes and the usual academic nonsense, and the stress level has been high enough to qualify as its own full-time job.

And then — in the middle of all that chaos — this coworker absolutely made my day.

She had gone to Vegas for New Year’s and came back with hair tinsel. Actual sparkly strands woven into her hair. She loved it so much she bought a starter kit from Amazon and started practicing on friends. She mentioned it to me the day before, and I was immediately intrigued because… who doesn’t want to sparkle at work.

So at 12:25 p.m., right there in the office, she tinseled my hair.

(The night custodian is going to wonder why the trash can is vomiting glittery strings. I regret nothing.)

I chose neutral colors because I wasn’t sure how they’d look in my hair — and honestly, they’re perfect. I’ve always wanted to dye my hair, but my skin reacts to everything, so that’s never been an option. But tinsel? Tinsel I can do.

We had so much fun with it that, for a little while, I forgot all about the staffing shortages, the policies, the stress, the everything. It was just two coworkers laughing and adding sparkle to a very un-sparkly day.

Next time, I think I’m going for pink.

So tell me: Tinsel — yay or nay?

Because if I can’t wear a tiara to work, tinsel is absolutely the next best thing.