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I had long hair and cut it due to other long hair guys. Now I want to grow it out again but keep feeling depressed like what's the point. The reason is I notice a lot of long hair guys wear hats, tie hair back mostly the entire time or complain about grooming. I feel like if there hiding their hair they must be ashamed so that makes me feel ashamed too that if there hiding hair why should I keep mine long. Another reason is I seen Raul Taylor's video that he cut hair and that made me depressed thinking it's wrong having long hair. I really want long hair but don't understand why they grow long hair if they hide it and than it makes me feel that it's wrong having long hair. I thought a lot long hair guys would show their long hair and be proud of it and show others that they have right to have long hair. So mainly my problem is I feel alone and awkward since I see others hide their long hair and it makes me feel it's wrong having long hair.
Do it for yourself. Different people have different reasons for doing what they do. I mean, hell, most of the time, my hair is up...and that is my business, and ONLY MY BUSINESS. But when it is down, it is down.
Wrong? Nope! Socially unaccepted...sure, in some places...and I'm sorry, if you are in one of those places where you face harassment for being who you are. But your hair, your body, your choice. Don't buy into conformity.
As many have said and I will offer the same --- do what is right for YOU not anybody else.
I grew my hair out in 1970 at the ripe old age of 13. My hair is curly, in the old days I would blow it straight, my mother would say --- leave it curly, don't straighten it (about 10 years later I left it curly and still today, no blow dry). My Mom had no problems with the long hair of guys - my father was not a happy camper in the old days. A few of my uncles were not happy with their long haired nephews in the 70's, but did not say anything - you can tell by the look on their face they did not agree. But --- they accepted it as the years went by.
The Beatles and other 60's bands were my inspiration for long hair. I still have it long today, and will take it with me to my grave, I'm a "lifer". It is what I like, I do not follow others, I'm my own person.
I never tail my hair as I like it to flow - but that is what I like.
I work in Information Technology, I'm the IT Manager, so hair is not an issue.
Never think or worry about what you see others do (tail their hair, wear under a hat), that is their decision. If your like you hair long, grow it and keep it as you like --- free flowing, tail, etc. never cut it because of what others do, all decisions must be yours.
I've had long hair since 1964, most of the time i'll wear it down and loose. I've got long hair, at the age of 61
i flatly refuse to hide that fact. (Now I do put it in a bun/braid/pony tail/bun/pig tails to avoid damage.) But for the most part it is down and loose. It is never wrong to have long hair, if you have a job that thinks otherwise, find a new job.
So my adivce is to grow your hair long, proudly go out and wear it long and loose. ignore the naysayers.
I'm 61, I want long hair so I have long hair. Screw anyone who thinks otherwise. As to why others cut their hair, I don't really care. I have long hair and i'll keep it long until the day I die.
Women hide their long hair too. I don't see what the big deal is when men do the same. I usually low ponytail my hair and it has a nice look of its own this way.
I had long hair and cut it due to other long hair guys... The reason is I notice a lot of long hair guys wear hats, tie hair back mostly the entire time or complain about grooming. I feel like if there hiding their hair they must be ashamed so that makes me feel ashamed too that if there hiding hair why should I keep mine long. Another reason is I seen Raul Taylor's video that he cut hair and that made me depressed thinking it's wrong having long hair. I really want long hair but don't understand why they grow long hair if they hide it and than it makes me feel that it's wrong having long hair. I thought a lot long hair guys would show their long hair and be proud of it and show others that they have right to have long hair. So mainly my problem is I feel alone and awkward since I see others hide their long hair and it makes me feel it's wrong having long hair.
Confession time 4 Cem - I too cut ALL my hair off last December & I have never LQQKed back - I LOVE it short - it's simplicity personified - I'm getting fit / losing weight / swimming / tennis / dancing: ( after a back injury at work - last year ) = all advice was to lose weight & gain strength through activity & exercise ) - my long hair was simply a hassle with a capital H - knots, maintenance, it was getting in the way, slowing me down, weighing me down etc. - I'm glad I grew it: ( 7. years growth ... yes - maybe the 7. year itch ? ) but I have no regrets ) but I am now equally glad I cut it off - as I just want to keep life simple - & prioritise where I put my finite energy - I'm active & living life to the full & after watching Raul's video: ( & why he cut his off ) - I fully agree with him - in life we change over time & what was important one year is not the focus in the next - we evolve, grow, mutate ... we prioritise & put emphasis on different things as the years unfold - 100% of all my family & friends say I LQQK better & younger for the cut - my short hair sits comfortably within my bones - I'm not sure now if my presence here: ( & my 'YT' channel, for that matter ) is still relevant !??! - I'm short-haired now = yes !, but I'm happy & content - excited about my future & all it's possibilities ... I've thoroughly enjoyed my participation here at 'MLHH' over the years - I had a blast - exchanging ideas, experiences & points of view ... good luck to all of you, in your life journeys & peace & love to all cheers Cem. =) PS: the pic. is of me on the tennis court
Aww, CEM, say it ain't so...!! Well, 7 years is a long time and it's great you got to experience not just having long hair but having some of the most fabulous hair that we've seen here.
It sounds like things are going well for you with losing weight and getting fit. That's fantastic. I have to say, though, that those goals can definitely be accomplished while having long hair. It's true that it requires a bit more work but braids work wonders in keep hair untangled and out of the way.
Regardless, it's great to hear from you and don't be a stranger here at MLHH!
Hi Jason ... thank you very much for your kind words - big hugs Cem. =)
CEM., I'm heart-broken hearing this news; but hey, I understand -- AND I fully support your decision! It's YOUR hair on YOUR OWN HEAD, so nobody has the right to criticize that... But, I'm still heart-broken! Your hair was hands-down inspirational, so how could I not be heart-broken? I'll get "over it" though, I promise (LOL)!
Losing weight and getting in shape is an awesome feeling (I miss it myself), with or without long hair... A big CONGRATS to you!!
"Onward", but without the "Downward!" (LOL)
- Ken
hehehe - thx. so much Kenny - your kind words are warming - I'm still the same ol' C.E.M.: ( like it or lump it ) - just with long hair to my ears ... LOL ... I do hope to inspire still: ( I will leave my 'YT' channel intact) although it probably wont have more postings: ( unless I revisit my long-haired journey - one can NEVER say NEVER ) ... LOL ... everyone here has always been kind & supportive - its a great forum - with a worthy premise ... I've been visiting this page regularly for years & I will lurk, for that you can be sure, 2 be sure ... I wasn't bragging in any way - I'm just pursuing what I love = you love to dance = I love to dance - only difference now is my big fluffy earz show ... lol much love to you all here - big hugs CEM =)
Wow CEM, this is such a mind blowing announcement!I admit you would have been the last person I would have imagined to have made such a disclosure.Guess it goes to show you never know.Regardless like others have said its your hair,your life, and definitely your decision.
Personally I've never felt my long hair to be a problem with various activities.I work out at the gym,bike ride, and work on mechanical equipment at my job but always found a method to contain my hair when need be.After having long hair for decades it just becomes second nature.Anyway I do thank you for telling the community as we do care about our members.I assume you might not feel the need to visit here anymore but do stop by from time to time my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Some of us are born longhairs and some aren’t. Some want to try it and then decide it’s not for them. Some grow their hair as a style. It would appear that Raul is not a born longhair but rather someone who just enjoys experimenting. Nothing wrong with that but it shouldn’t influence how YOU feel about growing YOUR hair.
Thanks for putting it simply and so well. We do well to support Ted in his suffering, and wishing him patience as he re-grows his hair.
The longer the time I am on my own journey (2 years and 4 months) the more I see my hair reflecting my personality and my discovery of self with the main watershed being when I was about 12. I'll post an update soon. I may be getting a micro-trim in a month or two (my sister in law knows a good hairdresser in Rouen who works with long hair) to search and destroy the split ends. I need to learn some bun techniques as my "queue" gets longer, especially for the new sailing season.
Onwards and downwards and all the clichés we use. This British eccentric in a time warp is going on...
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
Thanks so much for your kind and heartfelt comments! I truly appreciate them! I shall prevail with the help of this board and my own will!
Your hair is looking fantastic and I am very much inspired to press on and keep mine growing. I shall go on with the British eccentric! Nothing wrong with being in a time warp!
Ted
Hi Michael,
I am going to post the opposite situation to CEM's. I cut my hair back in October 2015 thinking I wanted short hair again. I have missed my long hair since. I had thought about it for some time before I did it. I simply cut it because I thought I wanted it short. I always wore my hair down when it was long. You have to do what you want to do. Those that mind it don't matter-those who matter don't mind it. With that being said, I am growing my hair back. And I think you should too, if that's what YOU truly desire. Good luck with your journey!
I wasn't going to post this pic since this is the Men's LONG HAIR hyperboard. So mods feel free to remove this pic. I am coming back strong!
P.S. Here's a pic of the big mistake:
Hi Ted, great to hear from you! I have to admit that it's really heartening to hear your words about being on your way back again to being a longhair! Welcome home and we're here to cheer you as you undertake the regrowth journey!
Hi Jason,
Wow! Thanks for the encouragement my friend! My hair hadn't been maintained properly and I just really got disgusted with the way it looked. Also, I was going through some medical issues which were concerning me. I found out my heart is only working at 50%. Not good. I really didn't want to post a short-haired pic out of respect. But since I now realize my mistake felt it was needed as a reply to the above post by Michael.
I shall prevail and make a good comeback both hair and health-wise! Dammit, I miss my hair! It was just getting to be all one length and aside from the ratty ends, was looking pretty good. I will try to post a current length pic soon. Thanks again for this forum!
Ted
Ted, Thanks for posting this, it helps alleviate the sadness
of C.E.M.'s announcement. A lot of us (me included) at one time
or another seem to think we want a different hairstyle but then
regret it the minute we do it. I lead a fairly active life
style and find that long hair is only slightly more trouble
than short hair plus I like myself a whole lot more with long
hair.
Good luck with your hair growing and your health comeback!
Hi MG,
Much appreciation for your well wishes! I am very sad to hear of CEM's decision, but fully support him. Yes, I must say I was definitely thinking twice about it once the deed was done. But that's okay. I am hoping I will care better for my hair and keep it in better condition than it was. I don't like the periodic trims but believe they are necessary for my hair type. The ends just get disgusting looking without them. My health is more in the Lord's hands and hopefully I shall have Godspeed in that department. Thanks again for your kind words and onward and downward!
Ted
Ted, you are an inspiration to me, regardless of whether your hair is long or short -- you have such a positive attitude and outlook on life, and have a true gift of being able to articulate your feelings and thoughts so clearly, always a joy to read!
You might already remember me mentioning this story before, but just in case, here it is again: I impulsively cut my hair short in Y2K, on the first day of summer of that year -- and then deeply DEEEEEPLY regretted it afterward... But, I learned a lot of valuable lessons from that experience; so in the long run, no permanent harm was done. Life is all about learning from however we live it, and then just moving forward after making a mistake or 2, no? That's how I view things anyway.
My best to you -- and happy re-growing!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
Gosh! I am very happy to hear I am an inspiration to you! When I first discovered my polycystic kidney disease my outlook on life in general drastically changed. I realized that it could be easy or hard to deal with. I'm not going to say it's always easy. But I refuse to let this issue get me down and enjoy every single day. One thing that helps me is to do things I truly enjoy like spending time with my wonderful wife(who totally approves of me growing my hair). In fact, she tried to talk me out of cutting it! I also collect stamps and stay as busy as I can.
Oh how I remember you telling that story here on the MLHH! Sounds like a terrible time for you and I'm so glad it's over! I can understand better now what you went through I think. One way I look at it is that it will be interesting and fun to watch my hair grow out again. I am looking forward to it I must say. The good thing about it is I did not cut it for anyone. I would never do that. So here we go. And as you say, "onward and downward!"
Take good care, Ted
Hi Ted,
Unlike CEM, I did know you had cut your hair based on your Facebook page.I know your dealing with a lot so of course your health is the number one concern.Hair can come and go and return again when we are ready for it.I truly hope your health issues get addressed in a timely manner so you can resume a more normal lifestyle.Please do keep us posted on things concerning you as we do care.I wish you only the very best my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Many of us keep our hair tied back, under hats or otherwise protected to prevent damage and tangles.
I can't speak for the others, but my hair is fine and very straight and tangles in about three seconds if worn outside. Faster if its windy. Unfortunately, the only real solution to prevent damage and tangles is to keep it bunned up out of sight much of the time.
There is nothing wrong with having long hair. As long as it's your own choice you can enjoy having long hair. See, whatever you do, there is going to be somebody who doesn't like it. Even if you cut your hair short. So you can do what is good for you, others will do what they think is good for them and that's ok.
One thing is sure, if you choose long hair, you also choose the tangles and some comments. But that's alright to deal with when they come. Don't listen to other people, don't let society stop you and listen to yourself.
When I wear my hair tied back or hidden, it's because of two things: It keeps me warmer and it is more practical (doesn't get caught in anything an doesn't block my vision).
Different people do things differently. I mostly wear my hair loose, although I sometimes wear it in a plait (braid), generally if I am doing something where it might get caught up or dirty, like working on the car, etc.
I must admit that at work I tend to wear it loose because of the experience of another guy that I knew. He was told by his boss that if he always wore a ponytail he might as well cut it all off, so he did, and I decided never to give my boss that excuse!
My mother used to complain about my hair a lot, but reading between the lines it appears that when she was a young girl the other girls used to tease any girl who had hair longer than shoulder length. That was a long time ago. I probably have long hair precisely because of her telling me to cut it when I was younger, LOL! I am naturally stubborn, that's what it is.
Hi Michael,
There is no reason whatsoever to think of long hair as ever "wrong"... it is simply either long, short, or somewhere in-between. Mother Nature doesn't gift us with the ability to grow our hair out to any length that we wish (regardless of whether male or female), and then put a negative judgement upon us for choosing whatever makes us happiest. Get over it. Letting go of incorrect thinking habits that somehow or other you must have learned in the past, will free you to make wiser decisions for your future happiness and well-being; but if you don't recognize these thoughts as FAULTY thinking, you will continue to hold yourself back...
The other thing I ob ject to is your assumption that guys with long hair are "hiding" their hair whenever they bun it, braid it, or put it under a hat -- and that therefore your conclusion is that they must be "ashamed" of it. Uh, sorry bud, but you are SO dead-wrong about that!
I enjoy to the fullest all of the incredible variety of hair styles that long hair can provide: I ENJOY braiding my hair, putting it back in a bun or ponytail, OR wearing it loose... To me, all of it is FUN AS HELL!!!!!!!
The only time I feel like "hiding" my hair is when it's extremely greasy and/or dirty; but hey, I felt the exact same way back when my hair was also short!!
Please re-examine your thinking. Like anything else in life, if your premise is wrong, your conclusions are going to be wrong as well.
- Ken in San Francisco, California
I'm sure it's easier for us guys in our 50's and 60's, baby boomers and unconcerned for fashion and pressure at work. I'm self-employed, and my wife has given up hope of getting me to conform to some "accepted" hairstyle.
I wear mine loose except when there is a practical reason like going sailing or safety in the workshop. I also tie it up (ponytail) when I'm "on duty" as a priest. I tend to look like something out of the 18th century! Perhaps I'll start using a black ribbon as a hair tie - if it will stay on, or with my usual elastic tie. In my cassock and cape, the queue goes down my back, and no one is in any doubt as to the fact that I have long (or lengthening) hair.
My attitude to life protects me from "collective" thinking and conforming to fashion and the ways of the modern workplace. Long hair also differentiates us from certain political "tendencies" and the pressure to fit into the mould.
The younger guys will have difficulties in this respect as they go onto the job market and socialise with more "conventional" men. I haven't yet done a real bun, but I'll be experimenting with that this year for the new sailing season. Whatever I do for practical or other reasons, even when in priestly garb, I'm not ashamed of my hair. I get dirty looks from some people, but that is their problem - perhaps a lesson we can learn from Quentin Crisp!
I agree with you, Ken, as I begin to get some serious length, I am discovering a whole new world. I am also discovering so much more about myself and the mists of my late childhood and early adolescence. Our hair is so much a part of ourselves.
I had a dream some nights ago, in which I had my hair cut - but that I kept the cut hair as a wig until my hair would grow again. I could only interpret the dream as my being shameful of short hair! I was relieved to wake up and find it all still firmly attached to my scalp.
We are all different, but I think it is a definite advantage to learn to be ourselves - and to hell with what other people say or think - as long as we're not hurting them or taking away their freedom. Self-knowledge and acceptance is a fruit of suffering and experience of life. It's easier when we get older, but some young guys are precocious!
Anthony
Hey, it's not wrong to have long hair these days. The only fact that annoys many people with long hair these days is the bad comments from other people but hey, are you going to care what others say to you all the time? If I say to you to jump into a well you're going to jump on it?
The only thing that makes me sad is that some kind of people who says a lot of things and defends the long hair community and cut-it off on the first 2 bad comments they get.
Don't let other things haunt you on your head, that "Raul" guy knewed what he was going to experience after using a lot of chemicals in his hair to get rid of the "curls" and it's not the first time he cuts his hair, it's something around the 3rd time by now and his growing it out again, saying the excuse for shaving his head was the hairline? C'mon.
And like the other folks said in here, he likes to do experiments with his hair all the time and he often cuts his hair in 2 years intervals.
Remember, "everyone" with long hair as the trend goes by now is nothing, when the trend passes out, sooner or later they're going to cut it all off and embrace another trend.
If you really want to start the journey growing your hair, start now and stop listening to what others say to you, it only makes you feel sick and pretty bad sometimes. If you see that long hair doesn't fits you, you're free to do whatever you want with your hair.
Be smart and make the right decision for you.
Take care my friend!