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Since I was very young I have wanted to try a long hair style. I am in the process of growing now...I have not cut since May 1st and am in the awkward stage but I am coping. I have kept my hair short up untill this point because I have liked it that way. I am committed to growing it to my desired length(around shoulder length all around)but know in my heart that it is something I want to see on myself and I guess would be one of the goals on my bucket list. The thing is I am getting married in two years and would want to have short hair for my wedding, because I honestly feel like that is what I am most comfortable. Who knows, once I get to my desired length I may change my mind...I have been viewing this site for a while and I have not seen anyone who is in my position. Is there anyone else who feels this way?...and if so what was your experience like?
When I started growing my hair in 1990, I promised myself that I would never cut it unless circumstances forced me to. I've yet to be faced with one, and my hair has been waist-length for the last 10+ years.
I've been married since 1994. My 14th anniversary is next month. Not only did I not cut my hair for my own wedding, I wore it down:
Special events - weddings, dinner parties, etc.. - are an opportune time for people to play dress-up in an attempt to demonstrate to others how good they can look while celebrating something, and are the ultimate source of societal pressure for people who are normally fashionably eclectic to at least appear "normal". If you're sincere in your desire live outside of the norm, to grow your hair long, don't let yourself give in to that pressure. Otherwise, you'll be setting yourself up for a life of half-hearted attempts.
So, to you and anyone else who may feel inclined to get a hair cut for a special occasion, especially if you feel it's the "proper" thing to do, I say don't. Special occasions usually only last a day. Hair takes years to grow back.
Do you really want to go through the aggravation of regrowing it after cutting it for a single event?
Be true to yourself, always. Never compromise, especially not for others. Only then will you ever be truly happy with yourself.
This should be etched into stone and placed outside MLHH Towers HQ.
~ Dave
Hi Nyghtfall.I have to say your response was brilliant as there absolutely isn't anything I could add to that.Growing longhair is such a long process and to cut it for an event that lasts at best only a few hours is ridiculous.I salute you for your dedication to longhair my friend and not being shy about showing it off at social events.You've got the right stuff to be a longhair:)Oh and your wedding picture is ACE!Have a great weekend.
Mark
Thanks for the responses...I'm sure that advice was helpful for a lot of people in this community. I apologize, but I don't think I was able to effectively get my point across though on my original thread. My wedding is symbolic of how I want to see myself and how I feel comfortable; meaning it is me, not societal pressure that would want to have it short for the wedding. I want to experince long hair..just like I have wanted to see myself on the silver screen before I die. But I know in my heart I don't wish to be a longhair for life...it just isn't me. Of course I wouldn't cut it for one day and then grow it back...you're right that would be ridiculous! My question would then be has anyone ever had the same experience-meaning going through the long process of growing for a goal, for the experience? And share what it was like for them personally? I walked the AT, but don't want to live there...
Couldn't have said it better myself.
One can look quite fashionable and stunning with their locks down.
Kevin
Just let it grow and see how you feel about it once it's long.
Everybody has it own reason to grow but maybe you like it so much you decide to keep it at the wedding day.
I would not cut it for sush a short event.
how would it be a commitment if you want to cut it for a wedding
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As far as feeling that I might not be a longhair for life? You can count me among that group. I know from my own history that I've never kept one particular look forever, and it would be unrealistic to expect that I will never cut my hair.
That said, if I was in your position and sure that I was going to cut in two years, I don't think I would bother growing it out. Think about it, you will have just gotten out of the awkward stage, only to get rid of it? Seems like a lot of forbearance without much payoff.
My rule of thumb would be to plan to keep your hair long for at least twice the amount of time it takes one to grow it. If one can't picture growing hair and keeping it long for 5 or 6 years at least, it just doesn't seem to me to be worth the hassle of the awkward stage.
RE: cutting it for formal-type occasions, I couldn't agree more with the experienced gentlemen that have answered already. I seem to go to a few of these every year (weddings and benefits) and I'm very much looking forward to the day when I do something interesting to my hair, like a fancy braid. I think that would look quite stunning with a tux, but of course YMMV.
Thanks for the support...I know this site is about men who would like support growing and KEEPING their hair long so I guess my question is inappropriate. I respect the fact that you are honest about the fact that you can't predict how you will feel in the future. For me, anything outside my norm is long. Right now with five months growth I feel my hair is long COMPARED to what it has been for my entire life! I believe that the journey is more important than the destination and I was wondering if anyone would share with me their feelings on their journey...I might feel after spending a significant amount of time growing that I will want to keep it. I really don't care about the awkward stage...it is actually a little liberating for me!
No, I've never felt that way. If long hair is just on your bucket list, then what's the problem? Grow what you can, and then cut it for the wedding. So, it won't be super long, but you will get some idea at least. I can't really relate, but I'm not sure what the problem is?
Grow it and see what happens. Yes, you will be attached to it two ways and want to keep it!
Happy Growing, Matt B.
I would advise seeing how things go nearer the time. When I got married 30 years ago social pressure led me to cut my hair and my wife to shave her armpits. Her pit hair grew back in 6 months but it took me 25 years to have the commitment and confidence to grow my hair out again!
Good luck
