So. Some of y’all probably remember, but for those who don’t remember or haven’t seen me before my junior year, I had long hair. And I mean, long, long hair. It probably reached a good five inches below my shoulder before I chopped it to the permanent shortness it is at right now, but throughout those three years that I was growing it out (from 8th grade to the beginning of 11th grade) I’ve been on a wild ride of emotions as well as gaining new experiences and skills. I would divide my journey into five different stages, starting with the decision of growing out the hair, as well as the decision to finally cut it (or leave it).
1. Decision
Not much actually happens in this stage through an outside perspective, but inside you are totally pumped. For some reason, you want to grow out your hair, maybe to donate (me), or maybe just because you want to try something new for a change. Others will probably be wondering when you’re gonna cut your hair because it’s getting a little long, but no one will approach you about it because they don’t know your decision yet.
2. Unnatural
At this point, people will definitely notice how long it is. It will most likely be fully covering your ears, maybe even past your jaws and down to your ears. Depending on how you style or cut your hair initially, you will probably be looking very derpy. You’ll try to fix it with some trims, but nonetheless, it will not look good because basically no one pulls this length off. Showering, shampooing, and conditioning will be a lot different. Washing hair just took ten extra minutes to feel completely clean, and drying hair doesn’t happen unless you wash it at least two hours before bed time. If you play a sport, this will be annoying because the hair will get in your way while you move, but will barely not be long enough to tie back into a ponytail. It’s strange and others know it. You will get looks in the hall, your friends will urge you to cut it, but you won’t budge because it’s an investment.
3. Funny
Hey, it doesn’t look strange anymore. Definitely not good still, but it’s been normalized. Washing hair takes an even longer time, along with brushing it in the shower? But hey, at least you can put it back into a ponytail now. People honestly don’t really care anymore, it’s at the length that some guys already have, thus it’s accepted by society apparently. Still, some children in the men’s locker room at lifetime might ask why a woman is in there with them, and that is okay. You’re used to everything at this point, and nothing really bothers you anymore, your hair is a part of you and that’s that.
4. Iconic
It’s peak lushness time. Not only do people not care about your hair anymore, they’ve also accepted that it’s a part of you. You are recognized purely by your hair. People don’t know your name, or what you do, but they know you have some really, really long hair. Funnily enough, your hair has become iconic, even a definition of you. Probably the first thought that comes to mind when you think of “Steve Qiu” is he’s got some long, lushes, beautiful hair.
5. Gone
Well, it’s finally happening. Your hair is going away for donation. The first real haircut you’ve gotten in three years and your head feels so, so light. You don’t have to keep flipping your hair out of the way of your eyes and over your shoulder anymore. You don’t have to keep hair ties on your wrist anymore. You don’t have to worry about split ends anymore. Life should be good, but you’ll miss that part of you. The next day at school, people don’t know you anymore. You sit down in your seat and everyone wonders why someone else is sitting in your seat. Has there been a transfer student? Nope, it’s just you, and everyone is shocked to find out. Yet, like your hair growth, everyone gets used to it sooner or later. In the end, while the moment of spotlight was pretty fun, your hair went to a good cause, and that’s what matters.

So I encourage you. If you want to do something with your hair, do it. If you want to donate it, do it. If you don’t want to change anything, then do it. It’s your hair, do what you want with it.