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Read that title again. Really read that title. 24 inches. Twenty-four. Two feet. That’s as tall as a barstool. As wide as your average countertop. That’s the size of some computer monitors. So take a moment and think about what 24″ inches really is.
And then realise that yesterday morning, at 10:30 AM, I went into the hair salon for the first time in five years for a haircut. And I cut off 24 inches. And then realize that with that haircut, my hair is still “long” by society’s standards — it’s past my shoulders. When I went in for my haircut, my hair was past my fingertips.
Let that sink in, for just a moment. Go on. I’ll wait.
I wish I could say that I did it for a good cause. I wish I could say that I was able to donate my hair to Wigs for Kids. Unfortunately, my hair three years ago was in a terrible state. It was processed and bleached and dyed every color imaginable. Over the past few years I’ve learned some awesome tips and tricks to keeping your hair healthy and in great condition thanks to the wonderful folks over at The Long Hair Community. They’ve been really great! But I couldn’t undo the damage I had done years ago, so when I went in for my haircut yesterday morning, it just had to go. Hair that’s been bleached, dyed, or colored using non-natural products can’t be accepted by any wig-making organisation out there.
On the upside, now all the damaged hair is gone. And my hair grows fast, so in another three years? I should be able to have another 24″ of donate-able hair. In reality, you can donate hair at shorter lengths (10″ – 12″, depending on the program), but they’re really lacking in longer lengths. And I don’t mind growing mine out. It’s been long for so long that you almost forget what it’s like to have it short! And I really can’t see myself NOT letting it grow out again. I may leave it short for a few months or so, but I’ll get bored with it and just let it grow.
But for now?
I’ll just enjoy being able to sit down without sitting on my hair. 
01 January 2013
One of my favourite hairstyles! Won’t be able to do this for awhile…
22 August 2013 – Just hours before the big chop. Self-shots are apparently not on my list of “things I do well”.
And after! It’s definitely going to take some getting used to…
