How committed are you to having long hair?
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=542
Printed Date: July 21 2025 at 7:14am
Topic: How committed are you to having long hair?
Posted By: DaveDecker
Subject: How committed are you to having long hair?
Date Posted: April 21 2003 at 5:53pm
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I got this idea while composing a reply to another topic of conversation here... I'm curious to know how committed you feel to having long hair? In other words, are you wearing it long because it is a popular look but would change if the fashions change? Or do you feel you definitely want to wear it long for awhile, but not forever? Or do you feel that you want to wear it long forever? Also, is your desire to have long hair increasing, decreasing, or remaining about the same? When I started growing my hair 11 years ago, I was determined to have it long, and I knew I would want to wear it long for a very long time. Probably forever, but not 100% sure about that (maybe not when I'm 105 and infirm). My desire to have long hair has remained just about the same for the past 10 years, and I see no reason for that to change. So, what about y'all?  |
Replies:
Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: April 21 2003 at 6:18pm
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Interesting question. I made a commitment to grow terminally long hair early last year and since I am starting to see the fruits of that decision, my commitment has strengthened and grown. However, that commitment has also been the cause of discord and pain due to endless criticism by those close to me. I do not forsee going back on my decision, but must admit that I rely on the long-hair positive posters on this site and on TLHS and LHC to keep my spirits up against the backlash. Fashion is not an issue – I do not care for or respond to the marketeers and their psychology of profiteering through the cultivation of group-targeted insecurity. The desire to let the hair grow as long as it wants, is increasing due to the plans I am making about what to do with it. And I don’t mean styling. Yes, I intend to wear it long forever, whatever the trouble or cost. It’s becoming an integral part of who I am, moreso than I could have imagined in so short a space of time. Take care Uzma ------------- Uzi |
Posted By: Isla Q.
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 5:02am
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I definitely do not conform to trends. In fact, I have a slight aversion to things that are "in". For example, if a lot of people are walking around with a certain kind of bag, I will make a point of carrying an entirely different bag. When it comes to hair and clothes, I wear what looks best on me. Of course, tastes can change, and I can't say I'll never ever cut my hair, but right now I believe it looks good on me. What other people are doing to their hair has never affected my own hair-wishes. Right now my hair is long, and I don't see that changing in the near future. ------------- |
Posted By: Beatnik Guy
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 7:38pm
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Ummm, totally, utterly, certifiably committed... :o) My hair's been long just about my whole adult life - and at no point in that time has a trend ever meant the slightest jot. Chris ------------- |
Posted By: Nicole Z
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 10:14pm
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It has been so long since I've had short hair that I don't even remember what it's like anymore! And, I have no desire to find out.  All told, from the day I decided I wanted long hair when it was about an inch long to now, it's been about 16 1/2 years. Add to that not having my hair even trimmed until I was about 4 years old, then another 2 before I had it cut off by choice in first grade, makes for 22 years long. It was short in elementary school, but once I had a say in how long I wanted my hair, it was off to longer lengths all the time. How loong will it grow in my lifetime? according to a formula, it could reach almost 12 feet. How long will I keep it? Probably my knees or ankles, depending on how hard it is to maintain. But, it has to get there first, and getting there takes some getting used to, so I may decide to let it get super long until it's impossible to maintain, and pick a length after that.  Here's the link, in case anyone's curious... http://www.allvidzhaze.com/phptest/hairgrowth.html - http://www.allvidzhaze.com/phptest/hairgrowth.html ------------- My hair is almost to my knees (~50") and continues to grow longer. Rather slowly these days, but that's ok - it's still *growing*. |
Posted By: SnowWhite
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 3:50pm
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I think I will always have long hair. I look back at pictures and I think I look better with long hair. Granted as I get older I may wear it up more, but I'll have the knowledge that I have long hair and didn't succumb to the short curly hairstyles. I'd love to have a silvery white braid or bun when I am old. :) ------------- ?/35.5/ tailbone curly hair <>< |
Posted By: IowaBiker
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 4:50pm
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I think I'll have it long as possible till: a) I die b) nature (heredity) takes over and it all falls out  My Mom, Dad and wife do not care for it, but tooooo bad. |
Posted By: papillon_purple
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 5:15pm
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well, I'm still growing out my hair.. starting from growing out layers. but I intend to grow my hair to about mid-back. I started growing it out a few months ago, and started noticing things about my hair that I didn't realize when it was short, like the fact that my hair is actually slightly wavy! so far I like how it's turning out. The other thing I realized is that while it's growing long, and I get a trim (to even out the layers), I don't like how it looks when it's shorter... maybe I'll just stick with it..
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Posted By: grenwich
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 6:15pm
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For the past 20 years. For the next 50 or 60 or whenever. I'm probably going to have long hair for the rest of my life. As far as desire goes - I recently saw a Shanghai Noon, so I am seriously desiring having hair long enough to wrap around my neck a couple of times and have an 8 inch tassel hanging! I figure knee length or better. Gren
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Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 8:10pm
Hi Uzma, I am sorry to hear you are the recipient of endless criticism by those who are close to you. I presume by "close" you mean either spatial proximity and/or familial ties and/or ... friends? I am also sad that you feel discord and pain due to it. I wish you the strength to not feel discord or pain when criticism rears its ugly head. I used to receive criticism from some close to me. I am a patient man, but I have my limits. When I reached that limit with a particular person, I snapped (paraphrased), "I like my hair long and I'm not going to cut it. I wish you would accept that and stop hassling me about it." For this particular person, that was the last I heard of it. Are you responding in some way to those who criticize you? If not, you may want to consider trying. It really can't hurt and it could well help. Good luck. And let us know how things go. ------------- |
uzma wrote:Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 8:36pm
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Hi Dave Thank you for your kind words and advice. How do you respond when those you love reciprocate with rejection? The fast-manifesting long hair goals are part of a bigger change and that is not acceptable to certain people on any level whatsoever. The hair is the obvious target for verbal and physical attacks. God, I make it sound serious, but it has been malicious and vicious on occasion and when I respond with equal ferocity (which is alien to my nature), I am told that I am making a big deal out of a small thing. I have tried reason and it’s like they didn’t hear. One person actually came at me with sissors. OK. I’m not going to re-live that episode here and now. Suffice to say, I feel isolated on many fronts. There are many dead-ends in love that we have to live with, I guess. I wish I could un-love..... On the flip side, I have some great friends who are hair-neutral. Thanks again Dave. You and the other longhairs here are an inspiration and a great support. Uzma ------------- Uzi |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 8:55pm
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Wow Uzma, I had no idea these people in your life were so vituperous in their hatred of your hair. They claim that you are making a big deal out of it. But ask yourself, "who initiated that conversation about your hair?" Did you start, maybe brag about it? Or did they start, by criticizing it? I am certain it was they who started it, with criticism. That means one thing: That THEY are the ones who are making a bit deal out of it. Not only that, but if these people cannot tolerate your choice to grow YOUR OWN hair long, then they have larger issues to deal with. I don't know how "optional" these people are to your life, but if you can choose to avoid them, you may want to do so. If not, and if they threaten battery, calmly tell them that if they so much as try, you'll report them to the police for assault and battery. ------------- |
Posted By: Sabrielle
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 10:06pm
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Started growing it out after having a really crappy experience with it short freshman year(I am a junior now... almost done with junior year!) and it is now at bra-strap length. I definitely do not have it long because of trends. At my school, I'd say the average girl's hair length is medium to short, though there are many exceptions. Often, I have the longest hair in a given class I am attending. I feel so dorky for noticing things liek that, lol. No idea what the future holds. I figure I'll cut it sometime, but not anytime soon. I'm very happy with it the way it is now. ------------- |
Posted By: Karrinne
Date Posted: April 25 2003 at 2:56pm
I have always had long hair and intend to keep it long until the day I die.  Family thinks I'm a bit weird and obsessed but nobody gives me a lot of straightforward cr*p about it. Some moderate harrassment about frequenting the long hair boards. But who do they call with hair questions???? Moi!!!  ------------- hair today/hair tomorrow/hair always ??/37/52 See my hair at http://karrinne1960.tripod.com - http://karrinne1960.tripod.com |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: April 25 2003 at 6:30pm
Hi Karrinne! Just as they "moderately harass" you, so too could you (not that you should) similarly tease them about being obsessed about going to the salon. Perspective is all in how you look at it. Take care and happy growing! ------------- |
Posted By: ~CHoney
Date Posted: May 11 2003 at 8:33pm
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When I was a child I could sit on my hair and my mother forade me to cut it. As a teenager I was below my bra strap and my mother would make snide remarks about it to the effect of she wouldn't let me cut it because men like long hair. So I cut it AND permed it. Yuck!!! In the end it was shoulder length and looked like a poodle. Then I grew it out. At 25 when my twins were 9 months old I cut to my chin for very practical reasons. Fortunately it all grew back and now (at 33) is 3-4" below my bra strap. I actually find it to be unusual in my age group and so I love it even more! I told my husband today that I am going to keep growing it just to see how long I can get it and he adores my hair. He woudl never tell me not to cut it, but he always tells me he loves it long. I originally wanted to have long gray hair, but when I found my first "gray" I panicked and yanked it out. To get it all gray I'd have to let it go little by little. Do I really want to do that? hmmm... ------------- |
Posted By: MaidenFairHair
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 1:26pm
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This thread actually got me thinking about why I wanted my hair long. When I was little, I refused to cut it and it grew to past my waist. Unfortunatly, being young and bratty, I didn't care for it well adn eventuallt had to cut it short. I started growing it back at about fifteen. Being someone enamoured with the middle ages I simply find it beautiful and elegant. It's also something different. You don't see extrememly long hair very often (mine is now at my waist) and I find people are amazed by it. Vanity on my part. But some part of me also identifies it with wildness, with maidenhood. Everything untamed. Not perfectly styled all the time, just long natural and beautiful. ------------- |
Posted By: Kintaro
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 2:20pm
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If society asks, I take the 6th. And I am not refering to amendments. More like expletives. It's different, natural, and it takes a real commitment to follow through. Then again, there's the bribe thread in this forum which clearly states the only reason I'd cut my hair. I wouldn't even for my martial arts class. It may be a weakness, but I am my strength. I'm not hiding behind anything. ------------- I hate all of the following and lots more : Fundamentalists, racists, sexists, fascists, ageists (people saying seniors = senile , kids = stupid , 18 = immature or a combo of them), and bigots for causes yet to receive their own designation. |
Posted By: cait
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 3:46pm
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My hair is an inch or two below my bra strap, so it's not that long in comparison to a lot of posters here. I've often considered going shorter, but always completely chickened out because going short could be a really bad mistake on my part and it would takes ages to correct (i.e. grow back). I find longer hair more versatile to style and experiment with, although my mom reckons I should cut it off because I spend too much time looking after it! I'm still growing my hair, but I think it's probably nearly at its maximum length. I quite like having it this length though, so I'm not complaining! Good luck to everyone chasing their long-haired dreams ~ Cait x |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 5:59pm
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Hey MaidenFairHair, I like your outlook. Your post has "inspired" me to start a new thread... may I? Cait, I think there is a wide variety of hair lengths here, so you and your just-below-BSL hair are in good company. Sounds like you enjoy your hair, too.------------- |
Posted By: GadgetMouse
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 6:53pm
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I hate to say something that would be betraying all you lovely posters. No sarcasm intended, I think this is the most civil, active, intelligent and interesting board on the site, which is why I choose to post here, despite what I am about to say. My commitment to having my hair long is about zilch. I feel like doing a cutting it short/growing it out thing for a bit, although I did used to have rather long hair, till I literally got bored and took scissors to it one day. I like my hair to amuse myself, and if long will amuse me, I let it grow for a bit. I can already hear the tarring and feathering committee coming at me, but please hold on. I'm not at all unsupportive of long haired persons, in fact, I appreciate their dedication. Just saying I'm not one. ------------- |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 7:34pm
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Hi GadgetMouse! There will be no tarring and feathering going on here! There's no rule -- here or anywhere -- that says you have to be totally committed to having long hair. You aren't betraying anybody by answering honestly. I asked the question in part because I wanted to see how varied the responses were. And, you have shown that responses can vary quite a lot. So, feel free to enjoy your hair as you see fit. ------------- |
Posted By: Kintaro
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 7:35pm
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Logical position with a logical ground to base yourself on : do as you please, w/o buying into any outside influence. Hack away if it is YOUR desire, let it grow if YOU want it to grow. At least this is a sincere post with some sort of relevance to long hair, unlike Brent, who has almost taken a habit in these last 7-10 days to troll these boards with an incompatible bias with at least the main goal of this board. I'm sure he finds people better with short hair, but his attitude is almost fringing the relative equivalent of wearing KKK clothing in Harlem, and expecting us to listen. (note that while I'm not linking him to BEING a Klansman, he is free to say as he wishes outside of areas that are clearly opposed to him. It's like organizing a gay parade in a church or organizing an atheist world tour explicitly stopping at the most religious sites in the world.) ------------- I hate all of the following and lots more : Fundamentalists, racists, sexists, fascists, ageists (people saying seniors = senile , kids = stupid , 18 = immature or a combo of them), and bigots for causes yet to receive their own designation. |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: May 12 2003 at 7:54pm
Spot on, Kintaro. Quite a few of Brent's posts here are thinly-veiled attempts to promote his interest, which just so happens to diametrically oppose this board's topic. Since he has posted on another board that he's a fan of short hair, maybe he'd like to share with us why he wants to promote short hair here. Brent, care to comment? ------------- |
Posted By: GadgetMouse
Date Posted: May 13 2003 at 3:12pm
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Thanks guys. You just reinforced in my mind all the compliments I lavished on this board. ------------- |