I recently decided to start growing out my hair. I say recently, though the truth is that it’s been growing for a few months now. I hate having the wear a wig. It feels unnatural and I fell that the upkeep is next to impossible. Maybe what I should do is spring for a high-quality, human hair wig, but I don’t have that kind of money.
I grew out my hair in college, back in the mid-nineties. When I say I grew it out, I mean just that. I wore it long, all the way to the middle of my back, for almost ten years. I did chop it off once, around 2000, but I grew it back out. Long hair was just part of who I was. It felt right.
But when I was about 28, I decided to cut it off for good. When I say I cut it, what I mean to say is that I shaved it off. Nothing left. I had been wanting to cut it for a while, but it took several drinks, to the point of being quite inebriated, to give my the courage to make that drastic a change. I kept it like that for several years, until after I got married, then I started wearing it in a spike, which lasted another few years.
Then I grew it out. Not long, like I’m doing now, but decently trimmed, short, but not buzzed. I always missed my long hair, but I was a grown up, trying to make a living, trying to look somewhat professional. Now, I don’t care so much. I want to look professional, sure, but I can do that with my hair long. I’m not planning on becoming a businessperson, working my way into the corporate drudgery.
I’m not sure if growing my hair will work. I’ve hit middle age, and though I have a full set of hair, it is receding. If it gets too bad, wigs will be my only option. We’ll see. I just know that I would prefer my actual hair. There’s a lot I can do with it long, say shoulder-length. I’m limited to the style my wig comes in. I can buy different wigs, but that takes up room. I don’t have any to spare.
It’s getting to to the point where I can start wearing hair extensions, which I better than a full wig. I’m doing some research on it. My cousin was the one who suggested it in the first place. I want to ask her to help me, but that may be a while before that happens. We’ll see.
Stefani Within 
I started growing my hair in august 2015. That was the last time I had cut my hair to the standard military flat top I had worn since 1993. I did attempt to let my hair grow once immediately after the military, but quickly cut off for a plethera of reasons. BUt now its well below my collar, with a couple bad trims causing that over the last year or so. I did finally find a decent and accepting/supportive hair dresser who cut my hair in a feminine style and I am so ready to have this hair get so much longer. BEst thing I ever did. Wigs are just cumbersome and usually do not frame my face very well. GO Girl GO
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can sure relate to this one, Stefani. Featured it on T-Central.
Calie
LikeLiked by 1 person
My teen daughter (M2F) refused to let us cut her hair when she entered high school. At the time, I dug it because in the 70’s (my high school days) boys had long hair, and I’ve always loved long hair on both genders. Come to find out, her hair was a bellwether of things to come. Now it’s down to her waist, and it is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s driving me crazy. My hair looka horrible, but I know it’s just a stage as it grows out. My last real hair cut may have been in August, so it’s long, considering it’s only been a few months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The 1970’s – those were the days! Much unisex clothing in style as well as long hair by both genders. Half the time you couldn’t tell who was a girl & who was a boy. I think eventually those days will return as part of the transgender revolution we’re experiencing, even if it’s going at a slow rate…
LikeLiked by 1 person
In general, I agree with Stefani – I think real hair is far better than a wig any-day, if you can get away with it. I’ve nearly always had long hair, and getting it cut seems to take away from my personality. So then I grow it out again…
Regular trims are the best way for fast growth & it keeps it looking tidy as well. If you can’t speak the words, just show your hairdresser a picture of a woman who’s hair you wish to emulate. Mine’s didn’t bat an eyelid, as she’s known me for years.
It works for me, as being a rock musician, most people think long hair just comes with the territory. It also allows me to get with guy-liner, hoop earrings, painted nails [ for Goth days ] and a certain amount of unisex clothing… eg girls jeans, slightly feminine tops, and any amount of fishnet / leather & studs accessories.
Roll on the days when a guy can just wear a skirt and no-one will care. Good luck everyone in this overall quest for equality & freedom to wear what we wish. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person