Hi everyone,
I'm going through a rough patch at the moment. My hair is the longest it's ever been and I'm not enjoying it as much as I used to. Lately I've been feeling that I don't suit long hair. What's happened? Where did this come from. is it just a temporary phase? Does everyone feel like this sometimes?
Of course I can't talk to my friends about because they're keen for me to get it cut anyway.
I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance maybe. I don't know :/
Hi Shydowyn,
Well let me first say welcome to the mlhh but what an intro if you are already questioning your long hair.Since you didn't post a picture I don't know if maybe you are in that dreaded awkward stage which does discourage some guys.As you should know its when the length of your hair is at that point where its hard to deal with to keep it neat.Regardless long hair is not for everyone as some guys just like it short which perplexes me.Thankfully here you'll get all the support you need while growing out your hair but that will only succeed if that's what you really desire my friend.Good luck.Cheers
Mârk
Hey Mârk,
I'll post a pic soon. My hair is past my shoulders so the awkward stage is far behind me. Though it feels like I'm going through another type of awkward stage. I'm going to give it a long wait and let my thoughts on cutting it settle but ultimately I don't feel like I could go through with getting it cut short though it is in the back of my mind.
Thanks for the luck!
Sounds a bit like me every once and a while. I am at the trail end of the awkward stage so.. it happens. i myself have only had my hair this long once before so getting through it will be sweet!!
Some advice, set it aside for two weeks and say "if i feel like this in two weeks time well i guess i prefer shorter hair", long hair does come with its own maintenance. I have done this several times in the last fews months and every single time i don't cut my hair.
Another tip, take a tie and tie as much as you can back how your think your will wear it day by day (thats if its long enough). If its not that long then really its just not that long yet :P.
This is speaking from experience.. I about 18 months in my long hair adventure. My hair is very curly and basically crazy so i can't wait to be-able to just tie it back. It all depends on your goal.
My two.
I'm definitely going to try waiting out this mild urge to get it cut. I've survived as far as shoulder length (No idea how many months that's been)So I at least owe my hair a fighting chance!
Hey Shydowyn,
How long is your hair?
Is it long enough to get some of it into a ponytail? Does it move independently from you? Can you shake your head from side to side and your hair brushes against your face? Is it touching your shoulders? If it is, do you like the feel of your own hair brushing in your face? Do you like the the feel of your own hair on your back and shoulders? Do you really want to lose these experiences after it took so long for your hair to grow to this point?
If your hair is still growing mark the little milestones that you achieve as your hair grows longer.
Wait two (2) weeks and see if you feel the same way then.
Your longhaired bro,
Raymond
When you put it into perspective like that... I do tend to take the feel of my hair for granted. I'm always touching my hair so I can only imagine how wrong it would feel to absent mindedly reach up and find it gone. I think Because my hair is past my shoulders now I've got longer to go to reach the next few milestones and because of that it looks like I'm not making progress. Also I don't really have a goal, I did think perhaps classical length once but that seems almost years and years away and almost impossible to imagine.
Unfortunetly i can't be of much help on this.
I started growing my hair long in 1964. Now in 2012 it's still long, and i'm still enjoying every minute of it.
Even with all the hassles i got from the school people when i was
in school all those years ago i still enjoyed every minute of having long hair. I'm 58 now so it's been a number of years since I was in school. I never really got tired of it, and
never even considered cutting it.
Even after all these years it's a great feeling to have
my long hair cascading down my back. Having that hair
cascading down my back makes all the hassles worth while.
Even after all these years having that long hair
cascading down my back made all the hassles with school/employers/etc. worth the the hassle to keep all of
my hair long.
I've not anyone hassle me about my hair. Well, maybe once. Jokingly from a colleague when they said they'd sneak up on me with a pair of scissors. I remember pointedly looking at him unimpressed.
I suppose still being angry at that is a good sign that I'm still protective of my hair.
Friend,
My hair is chaoticly curly and wavy. Sometimes I comb it out and the ends are frizzy. I ask myself shll i get rid of it? I even have some old photos with my hair shorter falling into nice waves. I ask, can I go back there? I don't know since my hair is thinner than it was then.
Then I remember how long it too me to get my hair to shoulder length, and I affirm that I like my hair long. To me it is sensual. I think it also says to the public that I am a free individul who does not have to conform to convention. I am a semi-retired working professional but get no flac from colleagues or customers -- in fact compliments.
It takes a little effort, yes, but so does brushing my teeth.
I can shampoo my hair in the shower, push neat waves into place in front and on top, sometimes secured by clips, but sometimes I have no time and must get in the charrot and go to work. I comb my hair back and sides, and twist into a bun on the back of my neck.
When I have time, I go to the local beauty college and for $6. + tip, get a roller set which patadoxically straightens by hair but gives it body, and then I can wear it down in a neat tail. The for a day or so, I can actually wear it loose after work but with no flyaway ends.
I need to read a lot for my work: local paper, NYT and some professional mags and this I can do under the dryer at the saloon -- sometimes twice a week and if I skip a week they clearly express I am missed, Because of lack of defined schedule, I ask for the students who have done the best work but if they are occupiede I take whoever.
The older students coach the newert one in a rilling pattern on 1" rollers that puts neat waves in front, smooth on top and sides and cocludes with some well organized but not frizzy curls in back.
This may not work for you but it does for me, and I cannot imagine cutting my hair.
James
Curls!
I've wanted curls for such a long time! My hair is only slightly wavy though and the longer it gets the more it looks like Morticia Adams'
I'm too worried about damage from getting curls done in a salon though. Tried the sleep in method but it doesn't hold long without hairspray and my hair goes all Tina Turner on me after washing out hairspray!
Looks like it's already been mentioned, but I'll add my voice to the 2-week rule advice. It's something we all tend to follow, so we all feel this way once in awhile. Whenever you feel like cutting it, wait to weeks. If you still feel that way after the two weeks, go for it.
Good to know I'm not the only one who has this phase. I think I'm over the urge to cut it short. I was dragged into a fancy night club against my will last weekend and everyone had short, meticulously groomed hair. Feeling like a sore thumb kind of had me questioning how well I fit in because of the length of mine. Which in hindsight is really stupid because that isn't my scene and they weren't "my people".
Hi Shydowyn,
I really can't add much to what everyone else has said here. But I can tell you that I cut off around 14 inches last year and have missed that hair ever since. Of course, I didn't follow the 2 week rule and now I have to have patience to regrow.
I sure hope you don't cut if you truly want to have long hair. Just remember as soon as you cut you may regret it and wonder why you did it. Long hair takes much patience to grow. Please don't cut and keep us updated.
Take care, Ted
Thanks Ted, the two week wait is in full force! But already I'm feeling I'm coming back to my senses. :D
Hi Shydowyn,
See, I knew you would come around! As for me, I cannot wait to feel my hair flowing down my back. You definitely have my full support! Let it flow and grow!
Take care, Ted
Welcome
You have come to the right place for advice and encouragement....
Post a photo or two.....
I guarantee you will get lots of "ooohs & Ahhs"
WWT (Walter White Tail)
Knowing my luck I'd probably get "Oh's! and AAAAH's!" lol I'll get a pic up soon though :)
I think you owe it to yourself to follow through with growing. If you cut it now, you will probably regret the decision. I would grow it to the desired length so that you can experience long hair. You may find that you like it once it grows past the awkward stage.
Darrin
Hey Darrin,
I'm well past the awkward stage already. I've been thinking that maybe it's just my insecurities coming into play about fitting in.
It doesn't matter how old you get, some days it feels like you're still in high school.
Hi Shydown,
Don't worry about fitting in with others. Your past the awkard stage, so the hard part is completed. The people that really like you won't have an issue with your hair choice. Be your own man and do what makes you happy.
Darrin