The barber chair effect" is such a perfect name for it. My barber told me once he hears more real talk before noon than most people do all week. It's that combo of not making eye contact and the simple act of someone taking care of you that just loosens the lid. I've definitely found myself sharing stuff with my barber I wouldn't tell my own brother, just because of that safe setup. That advice about knowing your limits is so key, it's a fine line between being a good listener and carrying weight you're not meant to.

My old neighborhood had six or seven big pines come down over five years after the city put in new sidewalks. They all looked fine until they didn't. It's like we keep trying to patch things that are already broken at the core, from trees to houses to even some relationships. The fix just hides the real damage for a little while.