I've been thinking about doing the big chop again. A few sections of my hair are suffering from severe heat damage and just not cooperating but I'm also a little curious about what I would look like with really short hair. I went natural 7 years ago (not for any other reason than I liked the feel of my natural new growth better than my dried out relaxed ends) and I feel like I want to go through the process again. So what's keeping me from cutting it all off again? I don't know. I like my "big" hair and can't really imagine myself without it. But what's the big deal? It's just hair. It will grow back, right? So, I'm wondering...
What does your hair mean to you? Have changes to your hair symbolized other changes in your life? What did it take for you to go ahead and chop it all off, change the color, try a new style, etc?
I need inspiration.
The Closet House
3 years ago
6 comments:
soo...we are back to this...
crisis, i wanna scream, "DON'T DO IIITTT!" that is also b/c i am going through a self-admitted very deep attachment period with the locks right now. i am not cutting my hair until either 1. after marriage or 2. when kids are involved, whichever comes first.
i dunno, for those of you who know me well know LITERALLY every 2 years i get sick of my hair and cut it ALL of...ceasar cut, ya'll.
well, about 4-6 months (sometimes more) after each cut, ya girl is ready to have shoulder length tresses again.
*obviously, my hair means something to me. if i had to analyze the past cuts or even the pattern that accompanied the hair cuts, i know there is deeper meaning attached-conscious or otherwise. i cut it ALL off the first time (from 3 inches down my back to the fro) sophomore year. yea. exactly. right. mm-hmm...that was when...mm-hmm, that too. the origination of the haircut (consciously) was the fact i was sick of the up-keep.
the last time i cut my hair i had ended (for the 1st time) a relationship. funny, i had been thinking about cutting my hair but went to the barber and had it done in a snap when we fell out b/c i knew he loved long hair, lol!
*there was one other cut in between*
once i wanted long hair again, (and the relationship was REALLY over) i decided i am not cutting it again for a VERY long time.
so, i think the hair cuts resemble turmoil, growth (metaphorically as well), change, etc for me. i think my decision to not cut it until the next MAJOR life change is also very symbolic.
crisis, have you colored it? maybe something new will quench your desire to chop it.
Identity Crisis, did you post this before or after I called you. Kindred spirits, you and I.
I once was thinking of cutting it all of. Now I am thinking of dreading it. I'm just bored. Or I thought I was until I read boogie's post. The truth probably is that I am entering/transitioning into a new period in my career, in my love relationship and in my family relationships. When I decided to go natural, I was entering comps-mode. Now I'm embarking on my first solo trip to Europe. Coincidence? Probably not.
Still, hair has a lot of meaning. It is political, which we know from the Obama's New Yorker cover. It is personal, and for women, even more so, because so much of our self-image and self-worth--and so much of how society views our self-image and self-worth--is tied into our physical bodies. And for women of color, who have to grapple with all of the assumptions, history, cultural and social entanglements of good hair vs. bad hair, straight hair vs. curly hair, locks, afros, braids, etc. it can become even more complex.
For myself, I try to stand by the adage that, it will grow back. Because I want to pretend I can subvert these issues by doing so. But I guess also because it is kind of freeing to think that way and to know that if today I want to relax it, that it is still okay to do that. Doesn't change my politics one bit.
Or does it?
boogie. thanks for sharing. whenever i think about cutting my hair, i think "boogie and empress cut their hair a couple of times, what's the big deal?" thanks for giving me context.
kis. i wrote it after i got your message but the post was already planned. do you check your messages?
it's funny that after i wrote the post, i started to love my hair as it is again. catharsis is a helluva drug.
reflecting on what this cut means to me, i thought it would represent change and a shedding of protective layers. i've made a lot of positive changes lately - shedding pounds and someone that was my "safety net" for years. i think i see cutting my hair as shedding one more layer that may keep others from seeing me (see all of the issues kismet noted). part of it is also about the whole process of growing it out. it might be like my piercings, giving me something to take care of for a while or a way to force me to take care of myself a little more, even if it is only a few extra minutes at the sink.
thinking about when i colored my hair permanently for the first time, i didn't put much thought into it. i had just started a new job, finished a training early and thought why not today. i think that was definitely about change, starting a new position and my grad program etc.
boogie, i'll let you know what i decide, but hair is such an impulse decision. i may say i'll keep it as is and run out and get it cut off tomorrow or when i'm in the chair for a trim in march. i feel like i'm saving coloring it for something. what, i don't know.
Well there yal go again making me look shallow!! Cuz i can admit to you that with me and my hair, while there is a level of comfort and ease involved, the majority of choices i make with my mane are purely aesthetic.
I know what works with me... my face shape, my body shape... I am my own toughest critic, and while i have a great affinity my my hair in its natural state, when I am heavier (like I am now) my fro is not as flattering to my face.
I have not had a any sort of chemical in my hair since 2003, but i consistently keep sew-ins and pieces (even an occasional wig) in the rotation.
Where many woman have found freedom in their natural hair, i found only frustration. My coil pattern is as erratic as my personality, and i do not have the time nor the engergy to fight with my hair. At the same time, i don't think i should punish myself or my hair with harsh chemicals, but I enjoy change too much to lock my hair at this point.
So for me, its weaves r' us for the time being. My hair when pressed is longer than most of the "extensions" i put it so its not about a european standard of beauty or anything like that. It's about what makes my life easier while maintaining my aesthetic.
I think when I went natural, i did it for reasons outside of myself...I still reaped the benefit of hair and scalp health. But as crazy as it may seem, i feel like "me" when i have options...and the time and detail that my coarse dry natural hair needs... I dont have. So i protect it under the extensions as i live my crazy life.
my dream though is to have MY hair for my wedding day should that day come... we'll see... i might even play THAT by ear.
Maven, in all seriousness, I absolutely love your comment here.
I haven't read all the comments, because I'm multi-tasking *cough* procrastinating *cough*
But, seriously, my hair is an extension of my overall flyness. Long or short, kinky, curly or straight, it just adds to who I am.
Since being natural, I've been so much more free to cut it, style it differently and just plain let it flow.
I say cut it off. It'll grow back.
I don't know about you, but I'd be petrified if 5 or 6 years from now I looked at photos and my hair was exactly the same.
Switch it up.
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