I've been feeling very unsatisfied with my hair lately.  With my whole self really.  I feel the need to change... the way I do my hair, the way I do my make-up, the color I paint my toe nails, etc.  I want to start wearing contacts again and ditch the glasses, but I've been having major allergy issues so I can't. 

     Now that my hair is just centimeters short of my long-term goal, I suddenly feel that it draws too much attention.  It's always the focal point.  I love my length, but.....  Nobody ever compliments me on my smile or my eyes anymore, for example.  I used to get complimented on my smile more than anything.  I miss that.  Also, I suddenly find myself longing for straight hair.  I haven't done that in years!  I want a different bangs style too, but nothing else looks good on me. 

     I'm sure it's just a phase.  I'm afraid to do anything major to my hair because I'm sure I'll regret it later.  A sure indication is that I've been doing my bangs the same way for about 3 or 4 years, so I trimmed them up a bit different this time, hoping it would help with the dissatisfaction.  I hate them now.  I just want to grow them out completely.  (doesn't really look bad, just not happy with it)  If I wasn't afraid of hating it later and just having to live with it, I'd dye it.  But I know it's not a good idea to make big changes when in this sort of mood.

     I'm sorry for venting.  I guess I just need some support and y'all are the greatest for that! 

 

     Anyway, what I suggest is that you double your braid or put it up for the next month or so. That way, people will be more apt to notice other facets of *you* first. (Not me, but I think I'm atypical.) More importantly, you will be giving yourself a break. You'd only have to think about it when you were fixing it. You could focus your attention on new makeup and toenail colors if you wish.

     What I think you need is your *own* WOW about yourself. And since dealing with hair every day has made it somewhat mundane in your life, I think that going without it long for weeks on end will give you a real high when fall comes and the length is fresh again.

      Remember, Sarah, everyone feels a little blue sometimes, even for extended periods. It's the human condition. But the wise person retains the inkling that better days are coming, and that drastic decisions, hair or otherwise, are best procrastinated. God Bless, Bob  

     Becoming involved in new volunteer work, even for an hour or two per week, may be refreshing and rewarding for you. Hugs, Bob

 Just remember how long you have worked to get this far, and just how close you are. Soooo many women ( and men for that matter) would give an arm and a leg for half of your hair. I have seen alot of women lately with horribly thin hair, and it has humbled me, and made me appreciate what God has given me. Not that you need to be humbled, but just remember how fortunate you are.

Hopefully this will pass soon, and the cloud will lift. Until then,keep your head up and eyes on the future. Before you know it, you will have reached your goal, and everyone around you will be green with envy. But not just because of your hair, but because the dedication, and strength it takes to get where you are takes the kind of person that can achieve anything she puts her mind to, and that satisfaction, will give you a glow  that will light up any room.

 

A few days ago I decided to do what any girl does to feel better.... I went shopping!  I got a new shirt that's a style I've never worn before, and I got a couple new fun colors of nail polish that I've never used before.  I wore the shirt to church yesterday.  It's funny.... I got soooooo many compliments on it! (and on my silver toe nails too, lol)  So I was already feeling pretty great, and then I ran into wal-mart on the way home last night and this guy I've never seen before starts talking to me as we're both looking at the same thing.  After a few minutes of general conversation about which brand of crackers I prefer and how long I've lived in this town and the lack of local entertainment (small town, rural area).... he procedes to tell me that he thinks I'm beautiful and he would like to take me out sometime.  That's what he said... "you are a very beautiful woman."  No mention of my hair at all (and it was down!).  It was refreshing.

Speaking of hair accesories, I am thinking about getting a new set of hairsticks. I have one that is a very light wood, but would like to add to my collcection... I got some clips that have rhinestones in them. I put them on the front kind of on the side of my head to hold my hair back.  I have never worn somthing like this before, and I love it. Just a simple touch to add a whole new feel....Just a thought

 

Yes, my mood has perked up, but still not completely feeling like myself.  I got moved to a different spot in the office temporarily for a specific task.  That has helped too because the people I'm around now are more talkative and cheerful so I don't sit quietly obsorbed in my own thoughts.

 

 

I'm glad you like the pic.  I'll soon be posting new length pics on my site!  I finally got around to taking some.  I finally just did it myself using the delay thing on the digital camera.  And as you can see, it's in the house not outside so they're not that great, but oh well.  I'll let y'all know when they're up.

 

Seriously, it's been driving me crazy to have it up constantly every day.  (This has kinda reinforced my idea that I could never grow it so long that it's impractical to wear it down.)  The only time I've been leaving it down is while it's drying.  It seems to have helped at least some.  I appreciate it more when it's down.  And I've gotten a little more creative again in styling it.  I think that has helped alot in itself.  I'm hoping to wear it up enough that people start noticing other things about me instead of just my hair.  I'm not fishing for compliments or anything, I just want to feel like it's not all about my hair. 

     If I can take a stab here, Sarah, I think that in life we must try to accept God's gifts and enjoy them. Everyone's is different. The fact is that a beautiful woman does not *deserve* to be better looking than others; it just is. But I've seen so many less than average lookers put themselves together in a way that makes them very appealing. A good attitude is at least as sexy as looks to me.   

     My youngest DD has a voice so stunning, and looks to match, that she nearly made American Idol this year at 19. She struggles with the fact that she has so much talent, and has difficulty accepting that it's real. And yes, she feels somewhat guilty, irrational though it may be. My advice to her, and you, is to use your gifts not only for your own pleasure, but for the enrichment of others. And, of course, for the glory of our Maker. I hope this makes some sense. Love, Bob

 

I probably am being a bit self-centered in it all, I admit.  My pride does creep up too high sometimes.  I have to keep it in check.  And I realized that there are deeper issues behind this too.  Emotional struggles I'm having to face, subconscious desire to change as a symbol of moving on..... you know all that kind of stuff that women usually go through.   

 

You make a great point in that you prefer to compliment a woman for the way she puts herself together, rather than her God-given looks.  I've met many people like you mentioned, and you're so right.  What is it they say.... "presentation is more important than the product"?

     I've often wondered, though, what women who normally wear their locks like Jaime Leigh Curtis do to symbolically get rid of the "baggage" and forge a new beginning. (lol) I hope you've been feeling better of late. Hugs, Bob

     P.S. One of the dearest women, and clearly the finest writer among those I've enjoyed on long hair boards, Celuriel, stated once, if I can clumsily paraphrase, "Charity comes in many forms." She had been accosted by someone who thought she should donate her knee-length hair to "the children", and she mused about how much joy her long braid  actually brought to both kids and older folks presently. Thus, she was rather annoyed that someone would presume that she wasn't doing *enough*.

I think we all have periods where we are feeling down and sometimes it can take a new top, new way of styling our hair or nail polish colour to perk us up.

 

I'm looking forward to the new hair pics. You're the one who inspired me to grow my hair long afterall