Does anyone here sometimes feel they spend too much time thinking about having long hair?

Well I sometimes feel that I might be obsessed with hair. And not even only mine, I find myself looking at the the styles that all of my friends sport every day, and I'll notice it even if it's just a simple ponytail or bun.

I do, however, realize that there are some things in life more important than that though... my father had a heart attack a few hours ago and I find myself not really caring what state I'm in... just hoping he's alright (he's not in the country at the moment).

I don't... but then again, that's how I make my living, LOL!

I actually think I obsess about everyone else's hair more than I do my own... comes with the territory ;)

I think other people around me obsess about my hair more than I do...my husbands co-workers make bets as to how I'm going to wear my hair to a function. up, down, braided, loose....it is like my hair is their hobby.

ginny

Well, now I'm obsessing.  I want to cut it *really* badly (not short, just to the top of my hips).  It's just beginning to touch the back of my thighs below my butt (I haven't measured it for awhile, so I'm not sure of the exact length).  I have been on a mission for so long to get it to either my knees or terminal length, whichever comes first, that it seems a shame to give up now; however, it is driving me CRAZY!  I have to wear it up all the time because it just goes everywhere when it's down and gets caught in *everything.*  But the real agony is washing it and dealing with it wet and combing it out... my arms aren't long enough, LOL!  I just don't know what to do.  Do I give in to temptation and cut it or do I try to ride out the moment and see if it passes?  Or maybe I'll just cut several inches off and see if a compromise makes me happier.

<sigh>

wrote on May 16^th, 2003 at 8:57am:

Well, now I'm obsessing.  I want to cut it *really* badly (not short, just to the top of my hips).  It's just beginning to touch the back of my thighs below my butt (I haven't measured it for awhile, so I'm not sure of the exact length).  I have been on a mission for so long to get it to either my knees or terminal length, whichever comes first, that it seems a shame to give up now; however, it is driving me CRAZY!  I have to wear it up all the time because it just goes everywhere when it's down and gets caught in *everything.*  But the real agony is washing it and dealing with it wet and combing it out... my arms aren't long enough, LOL!  I just don't know what to do.  Do I give in to temptation and cut it or do I try to ride out the moment and see if it passes?  Or maybe I'll just cut several inches off and see if a compromise makes me happier. <sigh>

Wait 2 weeks and see how you feel, if you still think you want to cut it, wait another 2 weeks, then make your decision.  You don't want to do anything you would regret later  ;)

Rapunzel;

In my opinion, I think you should seeeriously consider cutting your hair! I really thought it would be a lot easier to have hair that was just a *little* shorter, so I cut off a few inches. And then a few more. And then a few more! And I really regret it now.

If you ask your husband to help you with the washing and combing of your hair (he seems to be the kind of person who would not mind doing that  :)) I think it might be a lot easier to handle. And believe me, you'll MISS having your arms hurt every time you brush your hair! And anyway, this a great opportunity to learn a lot more cool updos.

I also think on the Dreamweaver Braiding site they have a couple of styles that help reduce the length of your hair to make it more manageable. I've also heard that the knotted ponytail works well for this?

Anyway, please put deep thought into your decision, I know none of us want you to cut your hair and then regret it afterwards!

wrote on May 16^th, 2003 at 11:05am:

Wait 2 weeks and see how you feel, if you still think you want to cut it, wait another 2 weeks, then make your decision.  You don't want to do anything you would regret later  ;)

That's what hubby says, though I think he's beginning to hope I'll cut it a bit.  I've already been thinking about it for awhile, but I guess the best thing to do is to keep thinking about it until I feel entirely comfortable with my decision.

<more sighing>

wrote on May 16^th, 2003 at 5:27pm:

If you ask your husband to help you with the washing and combing of your hair (he seems to be the kind of person who would not mind doing that  :)) I think it might be a lot easier to handle.

LOL!  He already does all the combing and BELIEVE me, he would rather NOT!  Or *knot* as the case may be ;)

Yours in the "I'm such a wuss when it comes to detangling" devolution,

Hmm I still don't understand how come you get knots. My hair is not straight and silky like yours (seems hair like that could never get knotted!) and I do tend to pile my hair on top of my head when I wash it but I never get a single knot in my hair. Could be my conditioner though, it's very strong...

Haha I'm sure he really doesn't mind combing it for you even though he complains! I make my boyfriend brush my hair for me all the time and he loves it  ;D

wrote on May 18^th, 2003 at 10:02am:

Hmm I still don't understand how come you get knots. My hair is not straight and silky like yours (seems hair like that could never get knotted!) and I do tend to pile my hair on top of my head when I wash it but I never get a single knot in my hair. Could be my conditioner though, it's very strong...

I nevernevernever had any knots in my hair until it got below my waist.  Now it knots very easily.  Haven't quite figured out why.

<shrug>

wrote on May 18^th, 2003 at 12:42pm:

I nevernevernever had any knots in my hair until it got below my waist.  Now it knots very easily.  Haven't quite figured out why. <shrug>

Considering the age of the ends of the hair that is below your waist, a few knots are understandable!  Knots typically come from rough cuticle (which is damaged hair).  Finding something to smooth the cutilcle could help.  I find that oiling the ends each night before bed helps and long with wrapping the ends around my favorite cotton socks to protect those delicate ends.

Hope you find something to help you with your dilemma.

Oddly enough, it isn't the ends that knot as much as the back of my head and at the neckline.  I do virtually nothing to damage my hair and trim it fairly often, so it's in pretty decent shape all the way to the ends.

I'm going to have to try the sock thingy, do you remember where you posted the instructions to do 'em?

Under "So Straight" there are the instructions for Rag Curls.  For my sock curls, I like using a fairly bulky crew sock (for extra long hair a tube sock would work well).  Oil the ends of your hair, then wrap the hair around the sock like a roller.  The more socks you use, the tighter the curl.  I roll the hair all the way up to the scalp then tie the ends of the sock, which makes a sort of bun.  It is soft enough to sleep on.  Hope this makes sense!

Belatedly read the sock advice, looks like a great idea!  Wish I'd known when my hair was thigh-length!  I think my hair & Rapunzel's must be very similar in texture, because mine always developed little "rat's nests" just below my hairline.  When it was very long, I wore it up or braided most of the time, only wore it down to "go to town" when socializing or dancing (dancing with extremely long hair is a WHOLE other story).  When it was down, I had to be careful what kind of collars my blouses had - some will rub up rats nests quickly.  I also tried to remember to run a comb through every chance I had - which gets to be a pain in the  :oss and is probably why I wore it up so often.

I started growing from shoulder length this past January.  Longest part is now almost bra-length, but it will take a while of trimming to allow the rest to catch up.  Meanwhile, all the shorter ends stick out & look funny if I wear it down!  Thank heaven for hairsticks & big barrettes!  I am hoping the sock trick might help tame the Sticky Outers.

Am I obsessed with my hair?  Nah.

Lilly Dale;
Let us know how the socks worked for you.

Well, I gave it a shot.  It has promise for the future, but right now most of my hair just isn't long enough to wrap around & get a good hold.  It held my longest hair (back of my head) and everything else fled and flopped, giving it this total Tribal Gone Really Wrong appearance.  Very soon after, it ALL slipped out, and I was left with that familiar old feeling of post-coiffal disappointment.  ::)

The good news is that your sock theory inspired me to reach way in back of my "hair stuff" drawer and pull out an old scrunchie.  It worked, and currently I oil my little bottom (ends) and make a cute scrunchie samurai topknot before bed.  That should do until I grow into my sock!  ;)

wrote on Aug 19^th, 2003 at 5:39pm:

I was left with that familiar old feeling of post-coiffal disappointment.

Oh, that is just *too* funny!  :D

::)  aaaaahhhhh, sorry the sock treatment did not work out for you this time.  Your description was great - thanks for sharing  ;D

Yes, I am soooo obsessed with hair!  I am trying to analyze myself why I am.  I keep hanging out in the hair accessory aisle when I'm at Walmart.  Here in Arkansas lots of women have long hair, but they don't take care of it and it's usually scraggly and terribly damaged.   :-/  I want to run after them all with a pair of scissors and conditioner.  HA! ;D

I suspect, of course, that long hair must represent something for me.  Maybe romance, or maybe I associate it with the past when people took more time in taking care of things and life was at a slower pace.  Maybe I want to be dramatic and romantic.

I have a whole crazy theory that modern people value shorter hairstyles on women because women are being valued (especially in job situations) for qualities that are more masculine.  That's why you see women wearing suits, shorter hairstyles,  and longer hair is considered "unprofessional."  

Are there any other ideas out there in long hair land about why we're obsessed with long hair?  Any conspiracy theories?   :D

If you read the LongLocks Philosophy (http://www.longlocks.com/philosophy.htm), you'll learn all about the root of my obsession!

Pun intended, LOL!

In short - yes, now. But I am making up for lost time where I didn't think about it much at all.

M

(QUOTE
I suspect, of course, that long hair must represent something for me.  Maybe romance, or maybe I associate it with the past when people took more time in taking care of things and life was at a slower pace.  Maybe I want to be dramatic and romantic.)


I TOTALLY AGREE - it is the whole romance thing - the knights fighting for their ladies hand - the pre-raphelite (can't spell it) movement - the innocence of centuries past. All the great love stories.... Abelarde and Heloise, Romeo and Juliet, Guienevere and Lancelot.... (she sighs dreamily....)

i always liked my long hair...but ever since ive found all these places on the net devoted to long hair and have since discovered how to look after my hair *properly* i have become obsessed. im always thinking about my hair and every time im out i look for new things to put in it. i think im driving my mum crazy talking about my hair all the time! she just smiles and nods now....the way you treat mentally unstable people  :D