new thread
Yes, I've had long hair in many forms for at least 8 years now and have loved it every step of the way but lately, for the first time in that duration, I'm getting the urges to *gulp* cut it.
I'd kind of like to try something different but yet, I still love my hair. I'm so conflicted right now. It's nothing official though. I just need some support right now and hopefully this "bug" will pass.
Hi JK,
Well you know you will always get alot of positive support here and as most of us will say don't forget about the two week rule. From what I've seen you hair looks in great conditio and would keep it growing.
John.B
Well, as you know, many members advise the "two week" rule. I get a trim...minimal...once or twice a year to get rid of split ends...just a blunt cut...and it seems to satisfy my urge to cut it shorter. The care and "feeding" of long hair for eight years is commendable to say the least.
Hi JK,
from your avatar picture, I'd say your hair looks great - making a lot of us envious.
Can you say anything more about this urge to cut it? Any feelings or memories associated with it? Could it be an expectation that had been planted into you years ago? Or possibly a "promise" you gave someone years ago? (It is morally o.k. to renounce this kind of "promise" - what were the circumstances?) Was it a strange dream?
Or is this urge just a symbol that you are dissatisfied with something else in your life or about yourself? That certainly wouldn't be resolved by cutting off hair.
Or is it negative feedback or manipulative messages - verbal or even nonverbal - that you possibly received years ago? This stuff can linger in our subconscious and then surface at later times - a bit like a posthypnotic command (if that's the case, there are ways to break free from it).
Personally, if I had that urge (after more than 10 years of wearing my hair long), I'd force myself to wait not just two weeks but six months before I'd act on it.
When you look at old pictures of yourself with short hair, does that really make you feel good? I doubt it, but I'm not you, of course. Or do you find it exciting to try something new? Well, this sort of excitement lasts short, and the regrets last long. I'd recommend a short-hair wig if that's the case.
Or, you may just answer the question - have you come to think of yourself as a genuine longhair, or was long hair just something you wanted to try? Well, you have invested eight years, and I'd think that's a committment.
A good friend of mine once said to me - "Well, as I enter adult life, I won't really be able to wear my hair long any more", and it was obvious that he didn't really want to go short. The truth is, as we enter adult life, we finally are able to grow our hair to any length we choose. Fortunately, this friend of mine still wears his hair long - he's in his 40's now.
My prediction is that the "bug" will pass - just stick to who you are - you're great the way you are, and no-one should dare to require you to be someone else. If your hair is part of you, then by all means, stick to it.
I wish you peace, blessings, and happy growth in many ways.
Hans-Uwe
Well basically, I've endured much negative attention associated with having long hair and the only effect it had on me was that it made me stronger. It's not an issue of insecurity.
I always did consider myself a true longhair. Many people who know me find longhair to me synonymous with me.
I've had it for such a long time and have enjoyed it but I've changed alot lately and when I see myself in the mirror, I feel a bit weighed down by what I see even though it's not a displeasing sight. I've just been feeling the urge for a change but the conflict is that I don't know if I can just override the loyalty I've always had towards my hair all of these years.
Hans Uwe is right.
I'm not going to add mch but just to say that you have awesome hair and so many people on here would die to have your hair.
If you are getting sick of it long all the time then maybe you could tie it into a bun and stick it under a hat or beanie. That way you will appear to have short hair and the effect is only temporary. If long hair is no longer a part of your identity then that is something much more serious to consider. All the best.
Your last sentence indicates to me that you don't *really* want to cut it. Not totally.
Your hair looks great, and you should definately give it at least a few months where you can think on it and perhaps find out if it's some other issue you're dealing with.
As I said, it doesn't sound like it's something you truly want to do, so you owe yourself to give it the time to consider.
Well, the thing is, I've changed alot in the past year or so and I've had my hair for so long that I'd kind of like to try something fresh. The bit of reluctance lies within all of the loyalty and pride I always had in wearing my hair this way.
Btw, I do realize it looks good. It's not a matter of thinking it doesn't look good but I appreciate the compliments.
Well, if you after giving it time (you may already have given it time) and you still feel you need a change, you could just cut it somewhat shorter, instead of going all out on the first haircut.
No matter what you do, if you regret it it'll grow back.
Dam, looking at your pic you've got great hair that would be such a shame! I hope it is just a bug to!
Even though you have heard it before, your hair is so fantastic, you can't hear that enough (well maybe you can). It really is valuable so see if it is really the hair you want to change, or something else. Try other changes first, probably just about anything else you can do would be easier to undo then cutting. So many people here have cut and then turned right around and started the long climg all over again. Just a newbies opinion.
It's a symptom of the flu. It shall pass soon.
As always, remember the two week rule.
I'd like to thank everybody for their comments and support.
I'm going to wait it out for a while and see if this is just a phase or not and then I'll decide what to do.
If I do decide to implement a change, I know for a fact that I will be a long hair once again one day as that's where my heart lies.
Sometimes though, people just need a change.
This whole ordeal kind of came across the wrong way. I'm not an insecure person at all, I was just a little stunned because I haven't felt this way since I grew it long many years ago.
You will get all the support possible right here. Your long hair is absolutely sensational! Please do not do a thing, (and in your particular case) for 4 weeks as you have too much to lose. This "bug" may very well pass and time will take care of any final decision by then that may be very much regretted later.
Spring is around the corner and people always seem to do things after being stuck inside so much during the Winter. Ever notice just at the Winters end how people go out into their yards and start attacking (actually demolishing) every tree and bush they have that doesn't even need to be pruned? Also all of the sudden haircut changes mostly on Women with the excuse: "Summer is coming up and I need a change to be ready for it?" Is this even logical? Perhaps it is a way folks have to release the frustrations of being cooped-up inside for so long? I have often wondered.
