What made you decide to grow out your hair?

duke wrote: Okay, I've read some interesting growing-out stories on the boards so far. So, let's have some reasons why people decided to grow their hair longer.

From my ears to my hips: I had it waist long till I was 6 and hated having my mother take care of it. It was my choice to have it cut off, and I was able to comb it myself for the first time in my life. It was kept at my shoulders or shorter throughout elementary school, and it was my responsibility to care for it. I hated having it cut, and managed only going to the salon like 3 or 4 times a year, so it would get kind of shaggy looking. Then, sick of getting my hair cut, I got it cut really short right before the beginning of 5th grade so I wouldn't have to get it cut for a long, long time. Then, I sat next to the girl with the longest and thickest hair in the school and decided I wanted long hair again. I never really forgot what waist length felt like, so that was my original long term goal. Also, I was starting puberty, and realized the practicality of hair covering me, and I wanted it to cover my bra, my first short term goal. By the time it did, all the girls were wearing bras anyways. Then I made the stupid mistake of cutting 80s bangs, and decided after 6 months that they were a waste of effort, and so I had a section of hair that was about 10" shorter than the rest. I still had my eyes on waist length, and 3 years later, it was there. I spent part of that tiime maintaining my length while my bangs grew longer. A year later, hip length. All in all, 8 years including lots of trims.

From my hips on: Once it reached my waist, it just didn't feel right. It wanted to grow longer, but I didn't know how to care for it so that it would be healthy. I kept it between my hips and waist for 7 years only because I didn't think I could grow it longer and keep it healthy. Then about a year and a half ago, I had an epiphany which caused me to look up long hair care and learned how to care for my hair. Once I figured out that I actually had a pretty fast growth rate (I was cutting it all every month)and how to properly care for my hair, I decided to let it get even longer. Now, it's 42" from my hairline to my ends, practically past my butt, and I'm curious to see how long it will grow. This year I don't expect to have to trim my ends as often as last year, so I'm hoping my hair will reach at least 52" this time next year.

Hi Nicole,

I agree with Uzma. Your story is beautiful and inspiring. It's so lovely to read about other girls who are committed to long hair. We have in common our hairlength. My hair is 42"as well . I always wanted to reach that lenght (1 meter) and my hair comes to my waist now. I'm very happy with that length and honestly spoken I intended to keep that length. Since I read your story I Doubt. Shall I let my hair grow longer. 50"or more. I don't know yet. Anyway: thanks!

Anne-Loes