new thread
As an aspiring long hair, I attach specific references to the image of a long haired guy. I wonder what other guys here think on that point.
I see a man who isn't afraid to be himself, and someone who isn't concerned about being questioned about who he is. I see someone true to himself, who isn't afraid to walk alone. I see someone who's made a promise to himself, and I find that really beautiful.
In New York, long hair is becoming more and more popular on guys. The long haired guys are generally a cool, hip minority, but I see more all the time. The contrast to the majority, the so called "hipsters" with their short hair, skin tight black clothes, nerd glasses, and preppy /square look, is interesting. It's like the 60's all over again. The mods vs the rockers...
I was born into the early 1960's, and towards the late 60's, I ran as a child, right into hippie culture of my older sister and her wild, fun friends, and loved that time in my life, spending time with them, and the acceptance I found there. It was a time of revolutionary thought and experimental lifestyles, and free love, and in many ways I've continued through the years living with that spirit very alive in myself. To me in some ways, my hair is like a tribute or badge of honor to those times, and the beautiful ideas and dreams that we all had then, and still have now.
I don't live in the past, but I like showing where I've been, so many places, and back home again in my way.
Joey
I was born in 1954, started growing my hair in 1964. So i lived through the hippie era and have had long hair ever since.
Many guys cut their hair but i've left my hair long ever since 1964.
Cool, That is so amazing! And a lot of shampooing! : )
Your new trim looks great by the way, the hemline looks really nice and healthy! You still have a nice length, and I bet it will grow in great.
Joey
Hi Joey - I agree fully that longhairs have certain grand qualities & a robust, resilient nature. The qualities required to grow hair long in todays society also hold us in good stead for other events, lessons, experiences that life has in store for us: ( ready or not ). A longhair has 'strength of conviction': ( despite negative onslaught ), 'perseverance': ( to see it through / go the long haul ), a 'self-confidence' to carry off wot others aren't brave enough to do, 'a tough armour': ( to not really care wot others think = knowing we have no power to change an others actions & thoughts/opinions ), we have no desire to 'follow the flock' we'd rather forge our own path-thank you very much, a 'sense of adventure': ( we are out there on bikes, on farms, treking/hiking/living ), we have a 'comfortability with our masculinity': ( as some would argue that to grow ones hair is & can be feminizing = do we care = NO !!! ) ... but ultimately we have the 'courage' to live & express authentically - with no hidden agenda to impress others - pure & simply to answer our souls calling ... thanx for your question cheers CEM. :O)
Well said CEM, and cheers to you! : )
Joey
I am not sure I could have written the paragraph better my self. Being who we are. who you are. I am, who everybody wants and should be, is confident in them selves. Not afraid to be them selves. You will be remembered for who you are, not what you are. Though a little shy, I have found that most people after they get to know me look past all else. They see me for me, someone who is not ashamed at all of who I am. I see a photo, I see eyes, a smile, a look, I see a beautiful man. I can tell your a deep thinker. I am too. All very cool. take care. Steve
Hey Steve, Thank you! I'm glad you liked what I wrote, I like what you say too, and thanks for the compliments. It sounds like you also see something spiritual when you see long haired guys. That's great.
Peace
Joey
I work in Manhattan and see more longlairs these days!
Dee.
As an aspiring long haiwr, I attach specific references to the image of a long haired guy. I wonder what other guys here think on that point.
Thank you Dee, I'm happy that you enjoyed reading it. It felt good to write it down. I've enjoyed your posts and hair updates here too. Your hair is lookin good!
I feel lucky to have strong memories of the 60's and early 70's, since I was very young. I was only 7 years old when Woodstock happened. I didn't get to go there, but I remember people talking about it, and I wanted to go real bad! I'm an artist and identified myself that way when I was 5 years old. I think that's why the 60's scene was so significant to me, and left such a strong mark on me, it was very creative and colorful, and joyful. There was also an innocence and optimisim that kids relate to. Of course there was a dark side too, and that was both inevitable and intriguing as well.
Until I was about 12 years old I was allowed to let my hair grow to my collar, so I always had a bit of length, and I wasn't forced to get a very short buzzed cut. I wanted it longer since I was 5 or 6, but I went to a serious Roman Catholic school, and boy's weren't allowed to wear long hair. By the time I was 13 I had hair to my shoulders (my dream came true and I got to go to public school in Junior High where there were no hair rules!), and my hair stayed that way until I was 17, when I discovered the punk scene, and chopped it all off into a very rough spiked look, and then a series of exasperating mohawk styles, some were long loose black hair, very cool. I only started growing my hair out again recently, for the first time in 30 years, and it's been an interesting journey, much more than I had realized when I started the adventure : )
Joey
-Happy, because you are open about yourself. Inviting us to hear about your life is very inspiring!
-You are really lucky that you are free and confident about yourself. I know it must of been many years for you to get to know yourself. In a way, I kind of know myself, but from time to time it gets blurred by analyzing life too much.
- Personally, If I had a choice to go back in time, it would be in the 70's. I just like 70's aesthetics, but maybe I just like a lot of "funk" over "groovy."
-I wish I could of lived that revolutionary era where the evolution of thinking was flowering up, more like re-flowering certain Western philosophies and taking it to the next level. Sadly, it gets blurred within post modernity and post structuralist thinking. I think of my hair as a way to get to know myself better, to see what I would really look like if nature took over. I feel blessed to be able to have the opportunity to let my hair grow, and maybe then I'll get to rediscover myself.
-The past will always be carried on to the future. I like to believe that what I have experienced so far in life i'll forever carry with me. I like to specifically think that my experiences in life adds to my wisdom, and that is what I like to think of as the treasure or gems in life that I will always hold.
thanks for sharing!
-rowie
Thank you Rowie, you have a beautiful mind. You are right, that your experiences and wisdom are your life's treasure, it will always be yours, and the best part is that it's completely unique, custom made for you, by you. A gift to yourself - or a curse! ha ha ha
Joey
As someone who inspires to be a long haired Man I tend to agree!
You should check out the Goth community. I find that they tend to be more friendly towards longer haired Men and even encourage it.
I have issue with much of the 1960s "hippie" culture.
first off, it gave us stereotypes which Men who have long hair
or aspire to grow theirs long(like you and Me) have to deal with
to this day and it's one reason that up until now that has kept me from even considering growing my hair long. It's a stereotype that many seem to still associate with long haired Men.
I think you can find better inspiration elsewhere besides the 1960s imho.
From my own personal experience I find the goth/darkwave subculture a better alternative because it completely bypasses that era and many have interests in the medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian eras.
It's o.k to visit the past, but I would strongly suggest you leave Woodstock behind and focus on getting inspiration elsewhere.
again check out the goth community in NYC.