Hey guys I've been lurking for a couple years now, checking out pics of peoples nice longhair. And my story is simple, I haven't ever been able to make it past the poofy akward stage because my thick is very thick, wavy, and curly. In the last 10 years I've tried like 6 times to get long hair and I always end up thinking that I just wasn't meant to have long hair ever. I usually think it's going to just keep growing up and out and poof out to the point of a whiteboy afro. I guess I'm more self conscious than I'd like to be. But this time I'm growing it out for me, and not really for how it looks, but more so for the things long hair symbolize. I look up to Willie Nelson, and Jesus, and the hippies of the 60s/and 70s and I've always had a boring short haircut that makes me look very conservative. But thats not who I am on the inside. I just know longhair would reflect who I truly am so much better. And now I'm starting to get to the point where I usually start worrying about my hair, and eventually go and have it cut (a little), but we all know how that ends up, they take way too much off and I end up giving up on the longhair dream for months until I decide I want longhair again. It's a vicious cycle of failing!! Already I'm having my Mom and female friends tell me I should cut it, that long hair won't suit me, that the type of hair I have just isn't meant to be grown out. Sigh... but I tell em to shut it now, At 25 I'm more determined to become a longhair no matter the cost. No trims, no chemicals, to straighteners, no nothing but patience. I told em, I don't care how bad I look, I'm growing my hair long and thats that!! Anyways, this site will be big on suport for me, hello from Santa Barbara California!! Happy Holidays!
You have great hair. Stick to your ideals, It is a game of patience. The characteristics of your hair will be a plus to you as it grows out. Don't let the naysayers get to you. They will change their tune.
I think you will look very good with long hair.
It doesn't need much patience, just be happy with all the little changes in your hair month by month. Your hair will look better and better with every half inch you will gain each month....
Have fun!
--tom
I say good for you sticking to your guns this time around.Who cares what
others think about your hair because it's YOUR hair not theirs!lol.Let them
worry about themselves and you'll worry about you my friend.In the months
and years ahead you will have the last laugh:) Keep us posted on your progress
and if your ever in dought check in here first before making a hasty decision.As
the saying goes ....long locks forever!YEA! Cheers
Mark
You look like a really nice person. I feel sorry that you've got people around you who won't respect your choices.
What DOES long hair represent????? Freedom, Individuality, a certain nobility. Heroic, Godlike distance from mediocrity. Etc.
If you want freedom and individuality, you don't wait for someone to give it to you. You take it wether anyone likes it or not. Being your own authority is being your own authority. Don't be a pussy.
Slaves were made to cut their hair, to symbolize that they were owned. lower class workers and servants and soldiers had their hair cut. Those who grew it out were showing the world that they were none of those things.
The ancient Viking, German, Irish and other cultures considered it a very masculine thing to have long hair. They even wore it in a bun with a stick to keep it out of the way sometimes. Copies of those sticks can still be bought.
And lastly I like how you think.
Well said John. Just keep it growing :-)
Thank you! I was a bit strong, but I'm like that and felt I needed to be. I appreciate your reply. ;p
Weird! - I was thinking of you reacting favorably to my post last night after I posted it, and before you replied! I felt it was because you seem to embrace the concept of freedom well and like it thoroughly.
Hi and glad to know that you are going to make it this time. I made a video about a week ago having to do with "poofing-out" hair due to the large amounts of emails suddenly pouring in like crazy about this very subject. Hope this will help and put all to rest.
I think long hair will look terrific for you and I would say "go for it!"
All the best-
Justin~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yokKoOkDnTE
Thanks so much for the warm welcomes. I have really enjoyed watching the video, learning the history of longhairs, and meeting you guys. A lot of you guys I know by your long hair, as I've been lurking for some time now. I will definitly post updates and let you guys know how the journey is going. I appreciate the encouragement! Take Care!
Get2Think, If you are not required to have short hair for a job or other reason, and you want to grow your hair long, then GO FOR IT!! A lot of men have to go through the "poofy" stage to grow their hair long -- DO NOT let this stop you! It's all about the attitude; if you have the right positive attitude, you can rock any style. And do not automatically assume that "poofy" or "whiteboy afro" is unattractive -- some of us ladies really dig it! (Case in point: Andrew Stockdale -- lots of women love his fro!)
As for the comments your mom and female friends made --
"LONG HAIR WON'T SUIT YOU" Nobody knows that because you have never had long hair before! If, after you grow it long, YOU don't like it -- then you can get it cut. Meanwhile, growing it out is not hurting anything or anyone.
"YOUR TYPE OF HAIR ISN'T MEANT TO BE GROWN OUT" Obviously, your hair type will not grow out long and straight; it will have to go through the poofy stage, but then it will grow long and have a lot of body and thickness. And it will be gorgeous, and will look great with your fantastic smile! Your female friends, like yourself, have just never been able to get past the "awkward" stage -- and they are *used* to you having short hair. Tell them the gift you want this holiday season is for them to accept and be positive about your decision to grow your hair out.
Get2Think, you gave a lot of information in your post. It is apparent to me that this is not just a journey of growing your hair long -- this is a journey of taking the person you are on the inside and bringing it to the outside, to fully come into your own as a young man. I wish you a blessed journey every step of the way. Hold firm in your beliefs, but don't be defiant. Let go of any anger and keep a positive attitude -- it is contageous, the people around you will start acting positive too! Good luck and God Bless!
PS I'm a Santa Barbara baby too! :)