new thread
Don't mind the dots on the E. It's an Afrikaans thing. Just "Daniel" is close enough.
I've actually been following this board since 2014 (my last year of school) but only now summed up the courage to post.
Since I could remember, I've wanted to let my hair grow out but I didn't really speak my mind as a child and South African public schools don't allow boys' hair to touch their ears, brows or collars anyway.
After I wrote my last matric paper (matric is what we call the final [12th] year of school) I wouldn't let anybody cut my hair again.
For the three years I was in college i decided to go No-poo.
As my hair got longer i noticed that my hair was getting ratty at the ends and breaking off a lot. So after almost two years, I went back to somewhat more conventional haircare regimes however it was extremely frizzy and fragile. I kept it neat with oils and fancy hair braiding however it was never the silky tresses i was used to seeing on my sister's shoulders.
So... well, i kind of lost the handle on my emotions in my third year of college, my grades fell drastically and my sponsors retracted. While very depressed and hopeless i cut my hair of bluntly right below my ears.
Since then I got a job, moved out, came out, and started growing my hair out again.
I admire this board not only for it's acceptance of men with a preference for long hair but for its acceptance of various religions and sexual orientations and genders and nationalities and personalities as well. For its emotional support and its sincerity. I've seen members of this board cut off hair which they had been maintaining for years and then growing it out even better than the first time around.
I woul like to become a better person an to associate with better people - people like you guys.
So... yeah. My name is Daniël but you can call me Daniel. I hope you're all having a wonderful day :-)
Hi Daniël, welcome to out little longhair community here:) Great introduction to the board as it was nice hearing your story leading up to becoming a longhair for better or worse.You are not alone when it comes to impulsively cutting off ones hair.That is why we stress the two week rule in that regards.Sometimes guys need to experience the lose to appreciate more what it takes to becoming a longhaired guy.Your picture to me shows a man meant to wear his hair long:) It really suits you to be honest.Thank you for choosing the mlhh as a point of support.I know there are other resources competing with us but we do have a long history supporting our cause so please do continue to visit and share your life experiences with us.Thank you again for your support of our community my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Thank you, Mârk.
Actually, i pushed the two week rule into four which later became eight weeks.
I "retired" my hair on the first day i decided to stop being the miserable person i was before. I also retired my first name that day. It was kind of like the purification in Numbers 8.
PS: I like the red henna wich you use in your hair. I used black henna and indigo in my hair once to turn it (and most of the shower tiles) black-purple. I felt so cool :-)
Hey Daniël,
Well we all have our own life experiences and sometimes they revolve around our hair:) I’m always disappointed when a long haired guy cuts off his mane but sometimes that’s the learning curve to facing who you really are as a person.Some guys cut and never look back while others instantly regret it. You sound like the latter my friend.
Yes, when I first took the henna plunge I just did a natural henna which had no real color change but the next time I went all out with the red :) I’ll be perfectly honest in saying I loved it and it’s been this way for around five years give or take. I can’t inagine ever going back as I enjoy applying it and the results afterwards.Cheers.
Mârk
I woul like to become a better person an to associate with better people - people like you guys.
Hey Daniel,
Welcome to the tribe, bro
You said that you wanted to let your hair grow out for as long as you could remember. That is the story of most guys here. I know that that is true for myself, however, it wasn't until I was fifty-five (55) years old that I began to let my hair grow out. I am glad that you are beginning your long hair journey earlier in life. I am sure that you are enjoying your long hair already.
I recommend that you find a sulfate free shampoo and a sulfate free conditioner. Give your hair a good shampoo twice a week and condition also. Get some coconut oil and mix it with water. Spray it on your hair, particularly the ends of your hair. See if the situation with the frizzy ends and breakage improves.
We are a very diverse group of guys who are united by our love of long hair for ourselves. We support other guys who want to grow their hair out. We're here for each other; that includes you, Daniel.
Daniel, you said that you wanted to have long hair for as long as you can remember. You are a "born long hair". This means that having long hair is part of your identity, part of who you are. It is not your whole identity, however, if you did not have long hair then a part of you would be missing. Keep scissors away from your head. Stay away from barber shops and hair salons.
Welcome to the family, bro!
Your long haired bro,
Raymond
Thanks for the warm welcome, Raymond.
The "Born Longhair" concept realy spoke to me the first time i read "On Being a Longhair". It's really nice that you referenced it in the first reply to my first message.
Serendipitous :-)
Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention: I use a low-sulfate shampoo and conditioner combo almost every day and spritz my hair with a coconut oil solution after my hair dries.
I do a lot of karate and yoga and running these days so i sweat a lot and leaving sweat on my scalp tends to give me dandruff. However; I am considering investing in a sulfate free range if my finances will allow it.
Your story is quite an inspiration, it's absolutely amazing how you managed to come to terms with who you are and did what you had to do in order to be complete with yourself, both physically and emotionally.
You are definitely meant to be long-haired, it looks so fitting on you and helps you to look stunning (if I may say).
I hope that your journey will continue for as long as you desire and that you will manage to develop yourself into the person you wish to become.
Welcome to the community!
Thanks so much, Yomaku. :-)
Allow me to return the compliment.
