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Hi, guys. Two years and counting!
I started with about three inches, so I think that makes me a slow grower. Oh well, I'm not in a hurry at this point.
Growing up, I loved long hair, but never thought it was an option for me. No men I knew had long hair, and even though I grew up in the 70s I don't remember seeing any long haired dudes on TV. Besides that, I was bullied for being effeminate, and I did everything in my power to appear "normal" and not get beat up.
I didn't consider growing my hair out until I discovered U2 in high school. It was 1988 and Bono had a glorious shoulder length cut.
I couldn't grow mine out, though, because I was in Catholic school. But as soon as I got to college, I began. And then cut it off six months later. That cycle would continue for the next twenty years.
Honestly, I think there are two reasons I've been able to grow my hair this time. #1, I'm a lot more comfortable with myself. Finally, I don't care what anyone thinks. I love my hair so much. That's all that counts. #2, you guys. Hearing your stories and seeing your progress and receiving support from this community has empowered me to keep going and growing.
So, thanks! Hope everyone is well.
Hi Steve,
WOW, I am very moved after reading your story!! AND.... your hair looks hands-down SPECTACULAR!!! Nothing, -- I repeat: NOTHING -- about you looks "effeminate"; but kids being cruel creatures that they can be sometimes, will say whatever they can in order to make themselves feel superior to the person they are bullying.
Quick funny story about a bully that tortured me when I was in 7th & 8th grade (clarification: it was NOT funny at the time I was being bullied; but, I do find it funny to think about now!):
My last name is Gourley (which as you can imagine, kids would intentionally mispronounce it as "girley!")... My Jr. High School gym class locker was directly across for this jerk of a kid who was always changing his clothes when I had to do so also. I had just started suffering from a bad case of teenage acne, when this kid thought it was quite funny to greet me by saying the following:
"How'zzzzzZit going, Girly?"
As an adult, I have some close friends who I've told that story to, who simply as a funny way to greet me occasionally say that sentence for a laugh; but of course, back when I was a kid, running into that bully simply mortified & terrorized me. I enjoy laughing about it now, though -- it gives me the feeling of "getting the last laugh!"
- Ken
Hi, Ken! I love your story. I bet that kid thought he was so clever!
Do you remember the Breck shampoo commercials from the 70s? There was always a new "Breck Girl" ... so yeah, I got called Breck Girl a lot. Now I think it's funny, but back then it killed me.
Thanks for the compliments, too! Much appreciated.
The mane looks great, and you don't appear to be old enough to have been out of college for 20 years! Don't worry about what others think and keep it growing.
Thanks! I'm actually 44, so been out out college 22 years now. Wow, it doesn't feel that long.
Hi Steve,
Your hair is looking great and your story is interesting. I'm glad to hear that you are caring less about what other people think. Caring too much about what others think can be so constraining. I'm glad I found this community as well, as I do not have much support for my long hair on the home front. I was told recently that I am starting to look like a mad scientist. I decided to take this as a compliment, as the first thought that came to my mind was a photo I've seen of Einstein with longish wild hair. And I certainly don't mind being compared to Einstein.
Take care, my friend.
-Marx
Yes! Turning a comment like that into a compliment is a great response. I really try to do that too. It's a very healthy response.