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I am thankful that at 47, I have the hair to grow!! However, wearing a hat most the time blows!! In no time soon, this wonky stage we disappear. Any tips from the former awkward stagers would be most appreciated!! I am completely bucking the norm at my employment by growing my hair out. It is a pseudo militaristic organization. Too short to tie back, too long to hide. Huzzah!
You obviously have great hair to let grow out. Just keep it conditioned really well, and be patient and Enjoy the process. Letting your longhair inner self be revealed is such a cool thing to experience. You will get some crap, but that goes with the territory, as does any individualistic behavior. You have the hair and the face to look great with long hair. The Most important thing to remember is you have to be Patient, and Enjoy the journey. The feeling of confidence and being yourself in the end is worth it. One day, like so many of us, you will just Be a longhair and not notice your hair as much. It will be a part of you like a hand or arm. And, you will not be self conscious about it either. You will learn to take every "extra look" by others as a compliment, which actually most are. The courage expressed by your hair as your expression of yourself is felt by others. They admire it for the most part. I get very little resistance to my hair, which is midback, thick and dark like yours, and I have a beard too. My friends all say they admire me for being myself and not caring what outsiders may or may not think. It is not rebellion, it is just Me showing itself. I think you will have a great experience, if you persevere, enjoy the ride and Never worry about what anyone might or might not think. It is about you and what makes you feel good about yourself. Good luck. SJ
Thank you for those words & encouragement SJ! I will carry on and enjoy the journey!!
Hey Mike! You sure do have a great head of hair. And it's inspiring seeing older men grow their hair out. It's not too late for doing something you want to do!
I am at 5 3/4 months and am currently in the awkward stage like you. I have recently experimented with tucking my hair behind my ears and it has worked wonderfully. My managers at work even asked if I got a haircut! Sure made it look like I did. I will show you pictures of before and after the slick back
Thanks Wes. What do you do with the back? Little tail tucked into hat?
It's cool to have this site to go through the stages with others & learn from those more experienced.
I usually just comb it all back, so it looks kind of like a mullet ha ha. But I'm just embracing it. The sides kind of curl back against my neck and touch my ear sometimes because I have wavy hair. But that cannot be seen from the side view. I typically either put product in all of my hair (top and sides) or just the top (preferred so my hair doesn't get damaged or look to greasy/wet). Usually the back is just left natural.
I've never tried the litte tail tuck in a hat before. Ha ha I've never tried the little tuck until reading this...but it might work but I think it totally needs more length. Later down the road I might try it. Saw that on YouTube and thought it was genius!
Have you tried any elastic hair bands or Alice bands? These would help keep it off your face. I haven't worn one in public yet because I think I need more length. But I am getting close to using them.
Hope this helps! Photo with an Alice band is attached
Hey Mike. I think your hair looks great just worn naturally. I actually like the stage you're at now--the shaggy stage.
Thanks Steve.
Be patient. Awkward stage may last for another 12-18 months. Be patient. It's all worth it.
A.D.
Hey Mike,
Lookin' good there, hope you keep on growing that great mane!
Whether you decide to use: gel, hats, bandanas, or hair spray -- whatever it takes, just hang in there!!
I went through the awkward phase twice in my life: the first time during the '90s (my first time, when I was in my late 30s and early 40s); then again after I made the devastating decision to cut off my waist-length hair in Y2K. The first time was a more self-conscious experience; the 2nd time, I just wanted my long hair back ASAP -- so was willing to do things like try hair-styles that previously I would have been embarrassed to try in public (like tying my bangs back into a half-tail)
Whatever works, just go for it!
- Ken in San Francisco
Thanks for the insight Ken!! I will own it, and will make it! Will post an update at years end. Thank you again!!