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The following story is semi-true. I have been following this story on 43things.com with fascination for a while now. This person (whose name I have changed) posted these entries under various goals she put up.

Entry journal from 43things.com

Goal-Grow my hair long

Posted: Jan 1, 2002
Subject: My big goal

So last night was New Years Eve and I made a resolution that going to probably be the hardest to keep, but it’ll totally be worth it. For those of you who know me well you’ll remember that I had beautiful long chocolate colored hair down to my shoulder blades before freshman swim finals came around, but to show my commitment to winning I shaved my head in front of the team at a shave party. That act got me onto varsity my sophomore year, and ever since then I’ve worn my hair in a pixie style which I still enjoy now in the 10th grade. However, I’ve forgotten what long hair feels like, so it’s time for a new resolution.

I, Nicole Leigh Marconi, am going to grow my hair long and beautiful.

I’m not talking about my former shoulder blade length from freshman year, I’m talking long, gorgeous, hip length princess hair. I’m talking hair long enough to sit on. I know it’s going to be a hell of a chore to grow it out from this length, but when I’m swinging that kind of hair around, you’ll see how much it’ll be worth it. I just hope it still grows out in the amazing condition I remember it for. I’ll keep you all updated on the progress on 43things.com, just check up every now and then.

Posted: June 13th, 2002
Subject: So.

It’s only been about six months and my hair is already down to between my chin and my shoulder blades. It’s hard to get a precise length because growing it out from my former length has created natural layers in my hair. I think it’s time for a trim anyways, so I’ll get those layers removed and get it cut bluntly in a straight line.

Posted: June 28th, 2002
Subject: The Cut.

Came out pretty well, but to get rid of the layers they had to cut it back to my chin. I can semi-put it up in a ponytail now, even though it sticks straight out from my head L, but it’s still my first ponytail in almost 9 months. Oh well, from here on, there’s noting but time to grow it out.

Posted November 2nd, 2002
Subject: Wow!

I can’t believe how much that trim helped my hair grow quickly! It’s been just over 5 months since the cut, but my hair already reaches about 4 inches past my shoulders! I totally forgot how great it feels to braid my hair, it’s like rediscovering heaven. It’s getting ratty though, and I can see that the speed is definitely slowing, so I better get it cut again.

Posted: November 13th, 2002
Subject: Grrrrrr.

I told that jerk at the salon to cut off 2 inches to get rid of the split ends and her cut 4. 4 inches! Now my hair just barely passes my shoulders, all that length gone, now it’s going to take even longer. I have two bits of good news though, the first is that I looked up ways to grow it faster and I found a bunch of tricks and vitamins and shampoos to help with the process. It’s expensive, but my parents are helping me pay since this is important to me. The second is that in case you haven’t seen at school or from the photos, my hair is just as healthy and shiny as I remember! I can’t wait until it’s at the middle of my back.

Posted: June 24th, 2003
Subject: Little problems

School’s out, and I just saw the most awesome cut for someone with my facial features. It figures that I see a really cute short haircut that I think would look great on me at the time when I’m dedicated to growing my hair out, but I have to be strong! Also, my hair is ratty again, so it’s time for another trim, let’s hope that this time someone listens to me and when I say cut off ONLY two inches. On the plus side, my hair is reeeeeeeally getting long guys! J It’s down to below my shoulder blades, and all that care I put into it has made it even more gorgeous than I remembered it. It’s so shiny and soft that I get guys in class asking me all the time if I want them to play with it. Brushing it is simply amazing, I forgot how much I love brushing my hair, and I never even hit a single snag unless I’m just coming out of the pool.

Posted: December 12th, 2003
Subject: Getting on my nerves!

My hair is really gorgeous now, but wow is it a pain! It’s senior year and I’m captain of the water polo team now (in case you haven’t heard), but whenever I put on my cap my hair is piled so high that it bulges hugely on my head, making it harder to play. Even worse, whole all the chlorine has given me natural highlights, the damage it can do to my hair means that as soon as I get out of the pool I have to start treating it right away to prevent it from drying out. Plus when swim season rolls around they usually pressure the captains to cut or even shave their heads on the night of the finals. They said they won’t do it to me since they know about this goal, but I still feel bad.

On the plus side, I’m almost there. It’s down to my waist now, and to say it looks gorgeous is a gross understatement. I read up that once it reaches waist length the hardest part is keeping the ends hanging together, but so far my hair has managed to remain extremely healthy at the bottom. The whole girl’s team loves to play with it (if you’re reading this girls, please comment), and even though it takes forever I refuse to blow dry it unless I must. Luckily my Italian hair dries stick straight and silky, so I don’t have to worry about the leave in conditioners I use on it. My goal is to get it down to my hips when graduation rolls around, and at the rate I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it even with a big trim coming up. I’m almost there folks, wish me luck!

Posted: May 1st, 2004
Subject: The big shave

Relax, it wasn’t mine, but my co-captain Beth shaved her waist length golden locks at the party on Monday. She said she did it to save my hair (har har), but the entire time she was getting buzzed she laughed out loud. Watching her lose those locks made me run my hand through mine over and over, and I wondered that if I hadn’t set this goal, would I be doing the same thing tonight. I want to say no, but deep down inside I felt a longing to feel the clippers on my head again. Dear God, am I thinking of shaving my head again when this is over? I’m looking down at my ponytail even as I write this, so thick and silky, I would have to be crazy to get rid of this hair, it’s the envy of every girl at school! I’m just an inch shy of my hips, I know it will be there come graduation, but what about afterwards? Guys, how much time does my hair really have?

Posted :May 5th, 2004
Subject: Re: posts

Whoa! Take it easy guys, I changed my mind okay? That night just got me emotional, and I know I was talking about cutting it all off, but with over eighty responses in 4 days, you are probably right, it’s way too pretty to get rid of.

Posted: June 3rd, 2004
Subject: Graduation

The big day came at last, and my hair finally reached my hips when I walked down to receive my diploma. It really is so beautiful, I don’t know what I was thinking at the party, the thought still lingers in my head, but nowhere near strong enough to make me do the unspeakable to my magnificent mane. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, but it’s definitely staying at this length for quite a while. Thanks for talking me out of making a mistake guys, and this is the end of the journal for this goal, you’ve all been great, and keep up with my other goals if you want.

The goal was marked as completed and “worth it”, but a little over three years later a new goal appeared.

Goal-Make a decision

Posted: September 1st, 2005
Subject: Losi
ng my mind?

I know, I know, I’m going insane. Even as I write this entry I am running a brush through my hip length hair in a frenzy, trying to get over the absolutely ludicrous thought plaguing my head. But as hard as I try, it won’t go away. Now I know I’ve worked all those years to get my wonderful hair down to my hips, and not only has it remained as gorgeous as the day it reached them, but all these years at keeping it at that length by trimming the damaged ends with no growing out have only made it thicker, healthier, and shinier. So you think I would be happy with this hair right? I really should be.

So why can’t I stop thinking about shaving my head again?

I don’t know what to do, what do you guys think?

Posted: September :15th, 2005
Subject: The decision

It’s been two weeks everyone, and after looking through all the comments you guys sent me I’ve come to the decision that.

(Drumroll)…..

I’m going to shave my head.

Now I know a lot of you aren’t going to like the decision, but let me explain my choice.

By September 12th I got 42 comments saying not to do it, and 3 saying go for it, so on September 13th I began writing an entry about how I was going to keep my hair after all. Just after I posted it (which I’m sure some of you saw, sorry to change my mind on you like this) I received one comment from a stranger saying “your hair looks beautiful, but it’s your decision”. I took down the former entry while I thought about it a couple of days, and now with shaking hands and my chocolate colored hair hanging in my lap I’m making my decision. I don’t know when I’m going to do it, but I know it won’t be too soon, so enjoy it while you can everyone.

I know I will be.

“Make a decision” was marked as completed, but the goal “Grow my hair long” was re-opened and changed to “Grow my hair long and cut it for charity”.

Posted: September 25th, 2005
Subject: The countdown begins

I never thought I’d be posting more blogs in this goal, but then again I never thought I’d want to shave this head of hair too, so go figure. I’ve been talking about this non-stop with my friends and family on how best to do this, so I’ve set the date of my headshave for April 25th, 2005, exactly seven months from today. I set it for that day so when it starts to get warm my hair won’t bug me as much. Let the countdown begin!

I’ve decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love, a foundation that makes wigs for children without hair. I figure someone may as well enjoy my hair while I can’t.

Posted: September 29th, 2005
Subject: Forget Locks of Love!

So after a stranger posted what Locks of Love REALLY does with their donations I’ve decided that they will NOT be receiving my hair (thank you for sending it by the way). So instead I will auction it off and sell it to the highest bidder, then give the money to the American Cancer Society, which is NOT evil. My hair will be on auction for six months to this day, so if you want it, please start bidding. I’m going to start it at $500 and hope for two thousand. Six months, 26 days and counting.

Sidenote-Talking to this person I asked what she meant by this entry and she told me that Locks of Love is not a charity due to the huge amounts of funds they take for themselves. Furthermore, they do not give away the hair, but sell it to kids, so after she spent all this time and anguish parting with her hair, someone else was going to make a profit off of it. Don’t support Locks of Love.

Posted: January 1st, 2006
Subject: New Year’s Day

Four years ago on this day I decided I was going to grow out my hair to my hips, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Now last night my resolution was to keep my appointment with the clippers, and I hope it proves doing as well. Three months, 24 days and counting.

Posted January 10th, 2006
Subject: Enjoying it while I can

I remember seeing a reeeeeeeally twisted movie called Saw 2 where the killer was dying of cancer and I remember him talking about enjoying every breath when you know it’s numbered.

That’s almost exactly how I feel about my hair lately. With less than four months left to enjoy it every single stroke with the brush, every single swish as I walk, every single ponytail, braid, plait, twist, and curl feels like a gift from God. Not only do I feel this way, but my friends all can’t keep their hands off it knowing that they won’t be able to play with it for a long time to come. I have found myself looking in mirrors a lot more lately, and when I see the reflection of my amazing hair I wonder again why I am doing this, but then I remember it’s what I want deep down, even if I don’t feel like it on on the surface.

In case you’re wondering, my hair is in a ponytail which I can’t stop touching while I write this, and on the plus side the auction is far exceeding my expectations. I was hoping for at least 1000 dollars, but some guy has offered me 1500 if I really shave it and send before/after pictures. Three months, 15 days and counting.

Posted: February 1st, 2006
Subject: Making changes

I don’t swim anymore since high school and with my limited time I decided to stop using those expensive leave in treatments, vitamins, and sprays. From now on shampoo and conditioner (expensive conditioner, but I deserve it J) will be my only indulgences. I’ve also started drying it with a blow dryer, not all the way, but enough to give me a big start on the drying process. For those of you who want hair advice, I’ve found that Garnier fructise has made my hair the way it is, and I use several conditioners and switch them every month or so. I also wash my hair every other day and when I do I made sure to use REALLY hot water because they say it helps it grow.

I’ve been going to the salon like crazy, the last few months, but not for haircuts, just shampoo and conditioning since I want to pamper my hair for it’s last days. It’s really been paying off, since my hair feels silkier and healthier than it ever has in my life. It’s going to make it ever harder come April 25th, I know, but if I’m going to lose my hair to a stranger I want it to be as beautiful and soft as it can, both for the buyer, and for myself. Right now I’m wearing it loose and down my back, I don’t know why I’ve been writing about how I’m wearing it lately, but just in case you wanted to know.

Two months, 24 days and counting.

Posted: March 13th, 2006
Subject: Getting closer. and getting harder

Woke up crying this morning, something about seeing my hair in my face made me really lose it. I must have been tossing and turning all night last night because when I went to sleep my hair was in a braid as thick as my arm, when I woke up it was in a ponytail, or half a ponytail since most of it had pulled free.

I keep getting requests to update more frequently and I’m sorry I haven’t, but writing these entries is really hard because they remind me of April 25th, which seems right around the corner. If it’s alright with you I’d rather not write more than I have to unless I feel like I need to get something off my chest.

I don’t know if I want to do this anymore, but I can’t back out now, the action is up to $2000 and I’ve already told the society about my donation. I’m so scared, but at the same time a little enthralled like that night Beth shaved her head. She shaved her beautiful blond hair so that I could keep mine that night, would she have done it if she knew what I was up to now? I should write her to say hi, and let her know what I’m planning to do.

Right now my hair is loose, and sort of messy. Thanks to the braid and the restless night it’s so huge and fluffy that it almost looks crimped. The calendar on my wall with the days marked off makes me feel a little better knowing that day is still a ways off, but before I know it April 25th is going to rol
l around and I’m going to be.

One month, 12 days and counting.

Posted: March 29th, 2006
Subject: End of the auction

A bright entry today guys, the auction ended at 4000 dollars! That’s four times what I was hoping. It really started to kick into gear about 5 days before it ended, then the late bidders entered the war and the price skyrocketed! And it gets better! When I spoke to Beth she said she would be here for the day of the shave! She said that since I helped shave her head it’s only fitting that she help shave mine, which made sense. When she told me that I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, so many conflicted emotions, but less of the sadness, I think I’m finally coming to terms with losing my hair, but we’ll see if that’s true come the 25th.

I haven’t been to the salon for a few weeks, I think I’ve earned a trip.

27 days and counting.

Posted: April 5th, 2006
Subject: How am I going to do this?

OK guys, I just came back from the stylist and now my hair is so sleek and shiny and soft that I feel like I’m gonna cry (sniffle), but I gotta be strong J. She said that my hair was getting longer than usual and that the ends were a little damaged, which I had actually noticed too (it’s hanging to the middle of my butt), so she asked if I wanted her to cut it. I was going to say yes, but then figured that I was going to come in one more time before the shave to cut it back to maximum health so I told her, and then she asked what shave?

If you’ve never seen a surprised woman until now, tell your stylist you are thinking of shaving your head. Her eyes got huge and the only thing she could mutter was “. but why?”? LOL.

Back to the point though, after she got over the shock (10 minutes later, LOL) she asked me something I’ve never thought about, how was I going to shave it? It seemed like a dumb question, but then I thought about it and I didn’t know. What do you guys think? Right down the middle? Up the nape? Start with scissors? I’d like your opinion. BTW, it’s in a ponytail again, I think that this is officially my favorite style of all time.

20 days and counting.

Posted: April 11th, 2006
Subject: Running out of time

Two more weeks until it’s all gone. My God these seven months have gone by so fast I can’t even remember them that well, just school and fear of losing my hair, but the fear is starting to dwindle. So I’ve thought long and hard about how I want to do this, and I think just running the clippers right down the middle is the best way to go, like tearing off a band-aid. It’s going to be so weird, I wonder if the extra length will make it harder or easier than the first time, because I was crying a river later that night the first time I did this.

Someone else offered $4500 for my hair, but when I told the previous high bidder this information he made it an even 5 as long as I included pictures. I already sent the $4000 check post-marked for my donation, so I think I’m going to keep the extra grand to try to get me through what’s to come.

It’s been a crazy seven months, but the last week or so things have gotten worse. I feel like every tick of the clock is bringing me closer and closer to being bald, and that every brush stroke feels so much more important than it did before. My hair has always been soft, but whether it’s because of all the salon trips, or because of the pressing time, or both, it feels incredible. I can’t even touch it anymore without wanting to cry.

14 days and counting.

Posted: April 18th, 2006
Subject: The last week for my hair.

My hair has one week left to live. I know that sounds overly-dramatic, but if you love (and hate) your hair as much as I do you realize that’s the cold hard truth.

Right now it’s half up in a bun and half flowing down my back all the way to my butt. I always thought how funny it was how the top layer of hair is so much lighter than the bottom layer. My bun is a light brown with natural golden highlights, but the hair spilling down my back is a very dark chocolate color. Both my bun and my loose hair are gorgeous.

7 days and counting.

Posted: April 21st, 2006
Subject: The final salon visit.

I went to the salon for the last time today, they cut off three inches and deep conditioned my hair for an hour. If I thought my hair was beautiful before, it’s nothing compared to this. I could try to describe it to you, but here’s a picture instead. (posted picture)

4 days and counting.

Posted April 23rd, 2006
Subject: Things I’m going to miss about my hair.

The way it feels on my back when I walk.
Braiding it.
Having it braided.
Brushing it.
Having someone brush it.
Sleeping under a blanket of it.
Accidentally slamming it in the door (believe it or not).
Wringing it out after swimming.
Watching it fly in the air while I dry it.
Brushing it.
Playing with it in class.
Playing with it at home.
Playing with it in general.
Shampooing it.
Shaking it out.
Tossing it over my shoulder.
Running my fingers through it.
Brushing it.
Chewing on it.
Taking it out of a ponytail/bun/twist and letting it flow loose.
Sitting on it (recent addition J)
Blowing it out of my face when it falls into it.
Tickling people with it.
Getting it trimmed.
Letting people I like play with it.
Using it as a pillow.
Did I say brushing it?

I’m going to miss it so much.

2 days and counting.

Posted: April 24th, 2006
Subject: Tomorrow’s the big day.

I went to class, I did my homework, I had some friends over who wanted to play with my hair before the big day. The entire day I couldn’t concentrate, I just kept running my fingers through my hair while my thoughts drifted to tomorrow. How did this come up so quickly? It seems like only yesterday I was putting it into a ponytail for the first time. After they left I took a shower and shampooed/ conditioned my hair one last time. I dried it carefully and used my conditioning treatment for the first time in months, I wanted it to look perfect for its’ last day. I’m glancing at the clock while I brush my slightly damp hair. It’s 11:28 PM, I am literally thirty-two minutes away from April 25th, my hands are shaking, but I don’t feel like crying. This is the last entry I’ll ever make with my long hair. Wish me luck everyone, I’ll see some of you tomorrow.

29 minutes and counting.

The next day the goal remained unchanged, but five days later it appeared as “completed” and worth it. This was written next.

Posted: April 29th, 2006
Subject: It’s over!

OK, my nerves are finally settled after that day, but guess what guys, I did it! My hair feels like sandpaper, I can’t stop feeling it. Lemme walk you through that day.

So I woke up and the first thing I did was feel my hair. It was dry now, and almost straight, so slowly I made my way to the bathroom and took a shower. The night before you’ll remember that I had deep conditioned it, and it looked absolutely gorgeous. When I finished drying it I was about to get up and get ready for the day, but I couldn’t move. I sat like that for over half an hour, brushing my hair over and over like a zombie, I must have stroked it about 1000 times. Finally I put down the brush and stared at myself in the mirror, and I remember thinking how much I was going to miss my hair.

I decided 7 months ago that I was going to do this today, but that morning I was like “I’m not sure I want to do this”. The next thing I know I’m picking up scissors and grabbing a huge chunk of my hair about as wide as a silver dollar. I sliced through it and dropped it on the counter, looking at myself in the mirror. I remember saying “holy shit!” at what I had done because there was now a patch of stubble an inch or
so behind my hairline, and I knew that like it or not, there was no going back. My friends showed up on time and I had been able to hide my patch by clipping a long lock over the missing area. For a while it worked, but when my friend Andrea felt my hair the clip moved and exposed the patch. She gasped and reached out to feel it, but I was already making a bee-line for my bathroom. I could hear people on the other end discussing what had happened, but at that point I was ready to go. I picked up the clippers and looked at my patch of ugly stubble, knowing it was only the beginning. When I flicked them on, I heard people on the other end get quiet, and I don’t remember much after that, just running the clippers down the middle and remembering Beth at the party. She was right outside my bathroom door, and she had grown her hair out again even longer than before, so it looked like this time it was my hair taking the place of hers. I remember laughing as I dropped sheets of my hair on the counter and before I knew it I was bald again. I turned off the clippers and smiled since it was over, then stepped outside and was welcomed by a flabbergasted crowd. A few people were mad because they didn’t get to touch my hair one last time, oh well.

I can’t believe how much I like this but I don’t think I’m going to keep it like this for long. I mailed out my ponytail and pictures the next day. I loved doing this, but I think I miss my long hair already so I am going to grow it back. I know, what a waste. For those of you thinking of doing this, do it at least once in life, it is so worth it.

Talking to the author about this experience I promised her I would not put up pictures or her name for privacy reasons, but she is still on 43things.com. She put up a new goal of “grow my hair long (again), and it’s now almost touching her shoulders. If you happen to find her please don’t bug her about that night, just look through the pictures she put up and enjoy them. There are a ton of women on this site who need support for shaving their heads, so just look for them and give them cheers on the idea.

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