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Howdy fellow longhairs!
As promised here is my 1 year update since discovering this fine board! I hope this inspires people who are sitting on the fence when choosing to grow their hair out. Read some of my paragraphs at the end of this message to learn the strategies I used to overcome maintenance hair stage & conformer ignorance stage! :)
My first picture at the top is what I looked like 1 year ago. I have left my favorite picture at the bottom of this page.
If anyone is wondering what shampoo I use - it is Pantene Pro V. So far I've used about 4-5 different shampoos and after using pantene my hair feels soft and a nice shine develops.
I made the decision to grow my hair out because:
1) I liked the look of longhairs... lord of the rings has many characters with great hair!
2) I am a nonconformer and one of the ways to express individuality and attract unique individuals is through your appearance
3) The mental journey and challenge of it and to be associated with fine people on here!
4) My hair grows way too fast to manage a shorthair style.. every 4-5 weeks I had to get my haircut just to manage it!
So far this journey is NOT an overnight process. It takes perseverence, dedication and the ability to withstand criticism from conformers in society. Sometimes it feels like you get similar attention to a celebrity and like celebrities you're going to need to develop a tough skin against conformers who believe men should have shorthair - otherwise you will bomb out during maintenance hair stage. Obviously the older you are the less likely you will get criticism... even the ignorant in todays society generally respect their elders but if you're young (or older this info is still relevant!) it might be an idea to read my strategies I used to help me not go near the hair salon or scissors!!
If you want longhair.. here is the steps in order of how to achieve it with minimal chance of dropping out.
1) List all the reasons on why you want long hair. You will be reminded of these reasons if negative thoughts creep in later down the track!
2) find a picture of a longhair you want to look like and stick it on your wall or desktop or anywhere you see it everyday. This changes your mindset to focussing on growing long hair just by taking a glance at it once a day prevents you from quitting
3) Set short term goals... it doesn't take 4 weeks to become a longhair lol! and the only way to stay positive and focussed is to achieve your short term goals before the larger goal becomes realistic. Some of my short term goals included... hair touching eye brows, hair sitting on top of ears... then some of my later short term goals include hair completely covering my ears, hair going past my eyes, hair going past my shoulders etc! my current goal is to pull my hair all the way around my neck lol!
4) At the beginning of your journey realise there are conformers in society who will do their best to take you down. These people are dangerous... they dislike people who think outside the square and many of them are complacent people who do nothing to improve themselves. To tackle this... build up your self esteem, make sure positive people are in your life, read Dr Phils Self Matters which promotes individuality or Awaken A Giant Within by Tony Robbins. One way or another you're going to need tough skin! and must be prepared in advance against comments from complacent people who dislike setting goals and chasing dreams themselves!
4) Enjoy the journey and always celebrate your short term goals. Don't get discouraged by people with longhair down to their waste! it takes a long time to get hair that long! admire these people and include them in your social circle for moral support!
Ok I think I have summarised what I wanted to say... thank you to all who regularly contribute here! my hair wouldn't be this long without yas!
Ryan S
p.s. any chance I can become a member?
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for giving such a wonderful introduction to your update, and inspiring others in their goal to long hair.
Your hair looks fabulous in your update photos, and you have come such a long ways from your short haired days. It is healthy, filled with shine, and has great waves. Things can only get better and better, and be sure to keep it growing!
Take care,
David
Hi David,
It is comments like these which keep me coming back to this wonderful board. I will definately keep it growing!
Peace
Ryan