new thread
Hey, it is a beautiful day here in Syracuse, NY and I was out at the park for awhile. I saw a guy taking a walk. He was a little older than me (I am 57). He had white hair pulled back in a tail that fell to between his shoulder blades. I noticed the top of his hair was thinning. I thought to myself - I have a long way to go to get to that length, but I was encouraged by how nice I thought his hair looked on him. It gave me hope that this old guy will look pretty alright when it grows longer, too. Still plugging along through my ninth month... not always confident it looks that great, but set on my personal goal of growing it out for at least one year. After that, a new goal will be set... Thanks for the encouragement from all you guys who post here.
From one old guy to another, I hope you keep it growin' and flowin'!
This is how I look at thinning hair as we age: the amount of hair naturally growing out from our various individual scalps will look the same, regardless of whether we cut it short or allow it to grow long... So why not follow our heart, and grow it as long as we wish to? The only thing that usually prevents us from doing so is whenever we listen to the so-called self-appointed "Fashion Police" -- you know, the Fashion Industry big-wigs that declare this or that particular style is the latest, "coolest" look for men (and rarely is it ever stated to encourage men to grow their hair long anyway, even towards the young men who have no thinning hair whatsoever).
To sum up my feelings in a nutshell: one of the joys of getting older is that usually there is less pressure on us to conform to certain "style" standards -- possibly because the public no longer cares as much about what we do or how we look; but also possibly because we've EARNED our right not to have to listen to such silly nonsense in general!
"Onward & Downward!"
- Ken in San Francisco
Thanks, Ken - I agree with your thinking - but, old habits are hard to break - and caring about what someone else thinks is a hard habit to break... Recently someone said a negative comment about men my age with thinning hair and a rat tail trying to hang on to their youth - honestly, I rejected the comment, but I guess sometimes even rejecting something as insulting and ignorant, and why should I care - well, a little of the negativity sticks... that's why seeing that guy today walking along the parkway, seemingly confident in himself, kind of made me feel good about my progress on the downward growth...
I'm 9 years older than you. Yep. Another old longhair. Now with WHITE long hair.
I can't hear as well as I used to, although I never heard well. I can't walk as fast as I used to. I can't walk as far as I used to. But I walk as fast and as far as I can. And I can't grow my hair as long as I used to, but damn it, I still grow it as long as I can!
Loss as a man gets older doesn't make him special, whether the loss be with his hair or anything else. Loss is ordinary. It comes with the territory, well, most of the territory: that part that is not chock full of granite stones.
Bill
Hey!.. as an even older guy, I'm 62, I relish seeing long hair on any age. Whether follically challenged are not. Growing out ones hair is a personal thing and I support anyone who does such. Here is a recent. (6 months old) snap of m'self. Not bad for a geezer, Modesty be damned.
I'm looking forward to a day when I can post a picture when my hair is long and my confidence grows with it. Let's see - when I celebrate my 58th birthday in June, I'll be 18 months along... hmmmm...
I'm 59 years old and my hair will be long until the day I die.
And it will remain it's natural color whether that is
grey or white.
Hi LHIA,
Your hair is looking awesome! I wouldn't mind seeing you grow it to waist lenght again! Please keep it growing my friend!
Ted
Thank you. I've been trying but the ends got too damaged. I'm
now taking steps to prevent the damage.
Hi Jason,
To heck with modesty! You are lookin' mighty handsome my friend! I do appreciate you posting this inspirational pic! I am like you. I just love seeing other guys sporting long hair. I have been seeing quite a few lately too. Long locks forever! Please keep it growing my friend!
Ted
Hi Fitz,
Let me tell you. Every day is a good day when you're growing your hair! Believe me, you will really be happy when you get that mane flowin' in the wind! You just keep plugging along and you will be at the park lookin' awesome! Just use those longhairs in the wild as inspiration! Please keep it growing my friend!
Ted
I can say as a younger guy, I am delighted to see the older folks keeping the hair long! I'm sure your hair will look great in another 9 months Fitz! Wouldn't mind seeing a current picture as well, its been a few months since the last one right?