External Appearances and the Self

[mhuzzell]

I cut my hair the other day. I was frustrated, I guess, and wanted a change, so I decided to trim it back from shoulder-ish length to about chin-length, and put in some new layers.

...Except that, somewhere in the new-layers phase, things started to get uneven, and I had to keep chopping and slashing away -- and now my hair is really, really short. Like, doesn't-cover-my-ears short. Pixie short. Boy short. Cold-neck short.

Harry really likes it (and we all know it's what your man thinks that really matters!), and a few have complimented it, but I am not so pleased myself. I have nothing against short hair in principle, and had idly considered this style of cut on a few occasions, but I always decided against it. This was an accident. And it isn't me.

That's the real problem. I don't look like myself anymore. I keep catching myself in the mirror, and my shoulders are too broad, and my face is the wrong shape. My neck feels chilly all the time, and my ears look naked. I can almost feel the absence, like a phantom limb. It's never been like this before. I've had several drastic haircuts in the past -- I chopped about 2 feet of it off just before coming to uni -- but they've always been considered and deliberate. A concious shifting from one sort of intentional projection of image to another. This just feels like an injury, a casualty of confusion and mirrors and scissors, and haste.

I hope it grows back quickly.

Comments

[cpemslie.livejournal.com]

Been there, but at least yours matches length on each side and will not provoke staring in the street. You'll either get used to it or it'll grow out; remember, hair does not define you -- naked ears should not mean identity crisis ;)

xx

[ragsix-bold.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean. I was so worried about my hair when I got it chopped, but when they cut the base length I felt a burst of happiness. It was like I could recognise myself again.

Hair will grow. Until then, I'd explore the difference, why it feels uncanny... and wear a hat?

I'm sure it looks pretty cool though, though you know my love of anything different xxx

[mhuzzell.livejournal.com]

I still haven't seen your new haircut! We should meet up and have new-haircut times. By which I mean, coffee or something.

[kiss-cassia.livejournal.com]

I got my hair cut this weekend. It's the shortest it's been since I was little...just past my shoulders.

I'm already used to it though. I have never been emotionally attached to my hair. Actually, the reason I got it cut was so it would look and feel better when it's up and out of my face cause that's how I usually wear it.

I'm sure yours will grow on you with time. :)

[lizardist.livejournal.com]

Almost cut my hair
Happened just the other day
It was getting kinda long...

I have the world's shittiest haircut at the moment. My flophawk grew out and got in my eyes, so I unceremoniously hacked off enough so I could see again, and went back to work.

[mhuzzell.livejournal.com]

I think you should try to make your hair look like that lizard's frill.

That would be awesome.

[kirsty-jean.livejournal.com]

It'll be weird for a few days but i bet that looks great! And, if your man likes it...