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Greets.
I'm a soon-to-be-19 year old college student hailing from the southern parts of Kansas. Over the past year or two I've thought about growing my hair out; I see guys (Including some I've seen on this board) who look really good with long hair (John Myung, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai - you notice they're all musicians..? Huh) and I've finally decided to try it out myself. Most people whom I've told I'm growing my hair out tell me that I won't look good with long hair, but you know what? I'm not really doing it to make a fashion statement. I was reading this article (Link at the bottom of the post) that I found after I had more or less decided to grow my hair out and it inspired me to charge in like a pissed off bull.
Everyone I know right now is used to seeing me with short-ish spiked hair - spikes have been "me" for about three years now, so no one knows any different. But now I'm avoiding spiking my hair, partly because it's getting a bit long to do it effectively and partly because, hey, with long hair, you're not going to spike it anyway, so I may as well get used to it. I've gotten the comment (And I somewhat agree) that with my hair down I look like a little kid (Contrary to the picture I included, I wear glasses), but hopefully as it grows longer that will change.
If nothing else, I'm trying it out to see if -I- like having long hair; luckily, my hair grows fairly fast. Something I'm concerned about is that my hair is quite thin, and up until a couple days ago I'd shampoo the hell out of it with every shower I took, so I'm afraid that what hair I have is badly damaged and will split like a gymnast within a year or two. Anything I can do right now to avert such a catastrophe?
I've rambled enough now... nice to see you all, and I'll keep lurking. :>
-DW
Hi DW,
Thanks for posting, --- and WELCOME to MLHH!
I think you have a great attitude and outlook about growing your hair out; so, my prediction is that I bet you'll succeed!
One of the secrets that I learned along the way when I was first growing my own hair out is to not focus too much about worrying over what to say to others around me about my plans to grow my hair long; but, instead, to just quietly keep on growing and growing and growing it... Pretty soon you'll find that if you try this tactic out you'll no longer need to "justify" why you want it long, because before you know it, it will gradually start to BE long, --- and at that point, your hair will start to do the "talking" for you, if you know what I mean...
People adjust slowly to change, --- even if the change really has no real direct effect on themselves (other than superficially). Your friends might be having a tough time right now trying to imagine what in the heck you're going to look like with long hair. In addition, they might be worried about whether or not your new look will change you on the "inside" as well. Although I do believe that growing one's hair out can indeed be a very life-transforming experience, I do NOT believe it has to ever change a person's basic core values. For example: I was a nice person before I grew my hair out; and I'm STILL a nice person (except when I'm feeling in the mood to express a bit of my pent-up sarcasm - LOL)!! I was also basically a very ethical person when I had short hair; and i STILL feel I'm an ethical person now with long hair, --- if not also striving to be even moreso! Also, to even emphasize my point further: I didn't take any recreational drugs back when I had short hair; and neither do I now, --- even though occasionally people have stereotyped me as being a druggy simply because of my long hair.
As far as your hair being thin or damaged, don't worry too much over issues like that. To me, your hair looks to be in excellent shape, --- so, just enjoy the growing of it! If you continue to stay "tuned in" here at MLHH, though, keep reading all the different posts, and if there is some helpful advise that you feel applies to you as you grow along on your hair journey, I'm sure you'll find it easy to try out that advice then...
My best to you, --- and again, WELCOME!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Good luck. You seem to have a good style to start out from.
It will be hard, but refrain from major trims during the "awkward phrase". It may be odd for a while, but it will start to even out, and it will look longer quicker.
- Chris PhoeniX
Hey
Welcome to the board.Your hair seems to be in a good place to start from. Dont let what other people say discourage you from growing it out.If you cut back on the excisive shampooing, take good care of it,and stay away from the barbershop, it should be fine.We look forward to seeing updates
-Mike
DW,
I'd say you hardly look like a little kid (but maybe that's the Adams' apple; I developed mine later than most). One thing to ask people is how they know you won't look good with long hair if they have never seen you with long hair. All I can say toward the shampoo is not to use it as much as you do now. Unfortunately, there are no definitive guidelines for all types of hair. As your hair grows, you may experiment with using less shampoo or none at all.
At any rate, good luck in your journey,
Tracy
I think it will suit you! It should be long before you know it! When you're in the growing out phase you might have days you don't like how it looks/feels and in a few weeks afterwards it might be completley different so if that happens either be patient or try not to think about it much :D Goodluck!
Good luck with the growing and look forward to your updates.
Cheers,
John.B
Good luck, if you persevere you will not regret it.
Keep coming back here for any advice and reassurance and don't liusten to those that try to dissuade you.
(n/t)
Whattaya know, when I graduate that's probably about the time that my hair will start to get "long". A graduation present, if you will.
Too bad that's also about the time I'll start looking for a post-college job, and when I'll probably start getting the "You'll need to cut your hair" comments from interviewers.
...for the warm welcome. Watching my hair grow is like watching paint dry. :P I've asked myself, if I could have it NOW, would I take it? I'd say no... watching it grow is just the start of the fun. :>
Lurk Mode On!