15 inches

forgive the vanity...

I chopped my hair off.  I started threatening to nearly six months ago, needing to give myself plenty of time to get used to the idea.  And that was always the plan: grow it out, donate, grow it out, donate.  But when it came time to cut, I really had to talk myself into it.  I like my long hair.  It's healthy and thick, reaching just past my waist. I know my husband and kids like it and I feel like it's my telltale feature--the unique and beautiful thing that makes me stand out.

But it was also driving me crazy.  4 days a week it's pulled into a tight ponytail and braided to keep it out of the way for kick classes, running or lifting.  Otherwise it gets stringy and sticks to me and makes me nuts.  It was taking nearly an hour to blow dry and style.  Beautiful yes, but time consuming.  and pretty only for about one day a week.  It sheds.  It was giving me headaches.  It falls in dirty water as I wash dishes.  I've accidentally smacked people with it turning my head too fast.  And recently, I gave myself whiplash when I jumped into the truck and slammed the door too fast, leaving my flowing hair to get caught and jerked backwards.

But here's the best part: I know this little girl.  She's 9 years old and has Alopechia, which means she's completely bald and will never grow hair.  Her family is working with a company that will accept hair donated on her behalf and use it to make her a wig.   I didn't know it at the time, but they only need two more ponytails to have enough.  My hair is so thick, it was cut and donated as two sections, and hopefully, will be enough.  :)

So with the 12 inch long donation, plus some for styling and layering, I cut about 15 inches off.  It's still long, reaching past my shoulders and now is a more "fun" cut, with long layers and texturing (something I didn't want to do with super long hair because it makes it look more thin).  It's lighter and lower maintenance (blow dry and style in 20 minutes).  It's also curly once again without the weight to pull it down (although I do still prefer it straight).  My six year old was ecstatic to find out my hair is curly just like hers and my 4 year old loves that our hair matches (same length and similar cut).  They know our young friend that I donated to and they were excited about it. 

I did before and after pictures but then didn't post them because I was still a little in shock (weird, I know.  after all, it was my choice) and looking at the pictures made me second guess (not that I could do anything about it).  But given a little time, I love it.  Yay for short(er) hair! 

Now to grow it out and do it all again.