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Greetings all! Just want to thank you fine ladies and gentlemen for the motivation over the past several months. I'm about 11 months into the growing out process and therefore right in the middle of that dreaded awful phase and wearing hats constantly to help get through it. You folks are keeping me on track.
I'm in northern CA where there are plenty of longhairs but I'm constantly razzed by my friends every one of whom seem to want me to buzz my head which I did for at least 10 years. Longing for those longhair days of my youth; but have always been a longhair at heart as an adult and now, at 48...it's time!!!
Sincere thanks again to all you fine folks and if any of you ever find your way to northern CA wine and redwood country, do let me know. I'll be posting new pics every now and then to show my progress. Cheers all!
Hi Max, I don't think I've seen you around, so a warm welcome to you from me, it's always great to see another new face! (I've only been a member for around 4 1/2 months now.)
It looks as though you've made GREAT progress for only 11 months, hats are a great tool in weathering the awkward phase, aren't they! Keep up the great work, it looks as though the awkward phase will be over before you know it. The beard is looking A-one as well.
Actually, when I retire, I hope to visit California, I'll definitely have to look you up and it would be nice to get together for a beer or two. Redwood and wine country sounds like a great place to see.
All the best, and keep it growing!
David
Greetings David!
Certainly look me up if you make it to this area and thanks for the compliments. Speaking of beards, your's looks quite nice. Keep it indeed.
I figure my hair is growing at an average rate of about 1/2 inch per month so I'm hoping that by this time next year or perhaps in 14 or 15 months from now I can get it into a pony tail. Yes, hats are invaluable at this stage...
Again, thanks for the your good words!
Max
Hey, Max. Pay no attention to those so-called friends. Keep it growin' and flowin'. TLH
Thanks TLH for the extra motivation!
Hello! It's great that you've decided to grow out you hair, i think it would suit you nicely, also that's one thick beard you've got going, looks great:)
By the way, i'm from Sweden, would love to visit the US someday, especially California, it seems pretty nice there.
Simon
Thanks very much Simon for the good words. By all means, you should visit CA, much to see and do. Never been to Sweden; I'm sure it's very beautiful there. Looks like you're progressing nicely with you hair...keep it up.
Hey brother Californian! I moved back East a few years ago from Redding. Climbed Mt. Shasta before leaving and spent lots of time all over the state; North and South. Have family in S.D., S.F. and Arcata. Man I miss it! I'm not THAT far ahead of you in my growth at 19 months. My hair is thick and some days its still pretty rough. Hats defineately do the trick. Hang tough and don't take any crap from those naysayers. As I often say (quoting Tom Petty) "It takes Rhino skin." Well, enjoy the coast for me till I can get back there myself! Bruce'ster
Hey Bruce'ster! I will definitely heed your advice re: those naysayers! Your thick hair is great, wish mine had more thickness. We all want what we don't naturally have I guess, but at 48 I"m glad I still have a decent head of hair which curiously shows very little grey, unlike my facial hair...go figure...
I'll enjoy that CA coast for ya until you get back.
Cheers,
Max
Looking Damn good Max!! Keep up the good work. Know what you mean about the "dreaded" phase. It'll be over before you know it. If you get tired of hats, try wearing a bandana during the summer months. That's what I did and I find I like those better. Look forward to seeing more pics of the progress and keep hanging in there!
Thanks very much Mike, I will definitely consider the bandana for the summer months. Yeah, hats really help during this tough phase and while I wish that time goes fast in that regard, of course, I don't want to feel like I'm wishing my life away. So it goes...
Max
I live in No. Calif., too, --- in San Francisco, to be specific. I have a C&W dance friend by the name of "Ira", that just so happens to have a very similar appearance to your pics; but obviously with your name being "Max", this is just a coincidence... in any case, I was at his 40th birthday party a few years ago, and they fired up a slide show with old pics of himself, --- including some GREAT shots of him when he had shoulder-length hair (his hair is currently very VERY short)!!
Anyway, the long hair looks great on you, --- and nice beard to match!
Take Care,
Ken in San Francisco
Greetings Ken:
Thanks to you as well for the kind words. I hope to have hair as long as yours someday. You are great motivation to me with that mane of yours.
Hope I can get my hair to my goal length of mid back...but I know it's gonna be a long road ahead. I'm finally in the beginning stages (at least in my mind) of feeling like a longhair again after all these years. Woohoo!!!
Max
Max L,
I agree that the board is a wonderful place to touch base. It's a great reminder that despite any criticisms from family and friends, we're ultimately the master of our own journey.
Keep it growing!
Mouse
Hi Mouse, you are so right, we are the masters of our own journey and I appreciate you reminding me of that fact. It's great to be part of such a super group of people. What are your hair length goals? Hope you keep yours growing as well and thanks again.
Max
First main goal is to get it all back into a ponytail. Beyond that I'll have to see what I like and how long I want to go.
Do you have a length goal in mind?
Mouse
Hey Mouse: My first goal as well is a low ponytail but ultimately I would like mid-back length...we shall see...
Max
Looking great Max, I am 14 months in from a shaved head so I know all about wildness,and awkward hair. I never wear a hat though, I just let it do what it wants!!
Keep up the great journey and see you around.
Thanks very much Dave. If I had great curly hair like you I would go without a hat as well, but I've got very straight fly-away hair which at this stage is confoundingly annoying at this awkward length.
Max
Hey Max,
There are several of us in Northern California. Ken (Urban Cowboy), Trolleypup, and I are in the City. Absalom is in Richmond. And there are about half a dozen more as you go down toward San Jose. We get together once in a while, so keep an eye on the board. Also, if you're going to be down this way, post, and maybe some of us can meet up with you!
"Longhair at heart" you said; most of us can relate. It IS a matter of the soul. Glad you are getting in touch with yours. Keep the faith, and keep it growin'!
Bill in SF
Hello Bill: Thanks for the info, glad to know that there are several of us in this area. I will indeed post if I find myself in the city sometime soon. Would be great to spend some time with like-minded "longhairs-at-hearts".
Max
Nice job Max! Your hair is doing fine so just hang-in-there. You will be amazed at just what 6 months down the road will have done.
Good luck and keep it growing!
Everyone who doesn't give-up along the way wins in the end when it comes to having long hair.
Hi Justin:
I am very much looking forward to that next 6 month mark; I'm finally feeling that I may be coming into my own now at almost 11 months. Thanks for the boost in confidence. You have an amazing head of hair...wow! At this point it is only a dream that I may one day sport such a look.
Max
LOL glad to hear I am not the only one out there. I too am 46 soon to be 47 and had a tail in my teens. Been buzz cutting for years but always wanted a tail again. SO, being a biker my new wife talked me into growing my hair out and man does it look good! Thanks to everyone on the board for words of encouragement to others in that awkward stage. It helps when I have thoughts of not going any further...I am at about 8 monthes of no haircuts. BUT I do have a question for all. About how long does hair grow each month? Mine seems to have slowed down as of recent...
Hey G-O, yeah you are not alone. Good to hear that I have company as well. In answer to your question, hair grows about 1/2 inch per month on average. Your hair most growth most likely has not slowed, sometimes it seems like there is no progress and then all of a sudden you will notice what appears to be a quick change like myself just recently when I hit the 10-3/4 month mark. Keep going!!!
Max