hair professionals please help, unmanageable thick hair

hair professionals please help, unmanageable thick hair

I have long(bra strap length) very thick hair. Some is wavy some parts try to curl but don't. I've had many bad haircuts when I was younger so I haven't cut my hair(aside from spilt end) in maybe 3 years. It's too heavy at this point to wear in a ponytail(headaches) I suck at braiding. I really want a new style other than just it being there doing its thing. I'm so scarred to cut it. But I really wanted something short that I can style with product such as gel or paste or something. I've taken months and months to think about my decision it's just that the length I want to try is VERY short(ear length and shorter on some parts). So I have a few questions. Don't get me wrong there are days I love it and I always get compliments on my hair but it gets boring seeing the same look every day.