I removed the RUG after 21 long YEARS - page 1 -

• I removed the RUG after 21 long YEARS by Mick R on 03 Nov, 2010 05:02
• Hello I have been looking at this site for 6 months I am from Austarlia, and I have sent a couple of personal messages to pdxtodd in May. Basically this sight has given me the inspiration to do this.
  
  My story is that I got sucked into purchasing a System 21 Long years ago. I was 22 at the time and to be honest was not quit sure of what I was getting into. The marketing was such that I felt this was to be life changing. And like many people yes I did not mind the look. But the associted issues I experienced over the 21 years was incredible.
  
  On Friday night the 29th of Oct after months of deliberation and immense anxiety I removed it. I spent the weekend trying to get some sun on my very white head without sunburning it. And thinking about my strange look (only to me) and as usual what other people are going to think and say.
  
  I am in the services, and I still have not seen many of my friends and work colleuges because I flew interstate on Sunday for 2 weeks on work duties. I am working with someone who is a old friend who I have not seen for 10 years. When I walked into work he said he did not recognise me. I know only a few people here who I have not seen for a while so I thought this may be a good way to ease myself into it.
  
  I am still anxious, and nervous but it is getting slighlty easier each day. I would like to SAY that it has been liberating but I cannot at the moment because of the anxiety and self conciousness which I know is self inflicted. I have still to see my family freinds and other work colleuges. My wife and youngest son saw me straight after. Including 3 other kids who have never seen me bald. This sight however has been my inspiration and I beleive in its message that I will feel better in time
  
  I have red the other stories of men in similar situations and I have related them to me me. I do not go home until next friday then I am going on holiday for a week with a couple of close friends.  I hope by the time I get back I will feel confident.
  
  Sorry for the long post and thanks for the sight.
  
  Mick
   
• #1 by Mikekoz13 on 03 Nov, 2010 07:09
• Welcome to the Forum Mick! Congratulations on an excellent decision.
  Believe me.... you no doubt look better without that "system".
  
  Join in the discussions and post up a before and after photo for us.
  
  
• #2 by ozzie on 03 Nov, 2010 10:07
• Nice intro! Congratulations and welcome to the forum, Mick. Always nice to greet a fellow Aussie. Glad you could join us.  
  
  
• #3 by Tyler on 03 Nov, 2010 11:00
• Welcome Mick!  I look forward to hearing where your freedom from "the system" takes you.
  
  
• #4 by Arnie on 03 Nov, 2010 11:07
• Welcome to SBGs!!!
• #5 by mangosink12572 on 03 Nov, 2010 13:08
• Welcome  - -and how does it feel to be free??
• #6 by TheSlyBear on 03 Nov, 2010 16:21
• Freedom. It's a wonderful thing. Welcome and congrats!
• #7 by wpruitt on 03 Nov, 2010 16:23
• Welcome Mick
• #8 by Sgt. Pate on 03 Nov, 2010 18:19
• WOO HOO Mick!  You're finally free!   
• #9 by Rob on 03 Nov, 2010 18:48
• congrats at your new found freedom, and welcome to the site!  enjoy!
• #10 by Mick R on 03 Nov, 2010 20:59
• Hello Ozzie I am from Brisbane I am curremtley in Wagga.
  
  I will post a photo when I return home. I havent taken a photo of myself yet only my wife on her phone to show friends when she dropped me of at the airport.
  
  I am having a good day today I am thinking about it less and less (But still consciuos). But I still have to return home and see my friends and family. But I know it is a matter of getting used to it myself. It is amazing how many more people you notice that are shaved when you are as-well
  
  I am getting a mole or wart cut out of the back of my head tommorow (I didnt worry about it until now) so I can shave my head properley without cutting it. My wife did it for me the first time. My hair has grown out a touch since then.
  
  I will keep you posted on how things go.
  
  Thanks for the posts.
  
  Mick
  
  
  
  
• #11 by Mick R on 03 Nov, 2010 21:19
• Just to answer the question of freedom
  
  At the moment I do not feel all that free. In fact I feel uncomfortable and self conscious when I see people I used to know or I anticipate seeing an old college.  I am comfortable in public or meeting new people. And basic things like showering, sleeping, and even removing and putting on shirts are much easier 
  
  I have red the posts and have heard it takes 30 days for the comfort to kick in, I am hoping it will be sooner.
  
  Thanks Mick
  
• #12 by Sgt. Pate on 03 Nov, 2010 21:23
• It's a struggle we all have to deal with... caring entirely too much what others think and it's no way to live your life.  Living that way is bondage indeed!   
  
  Hang in there brother, you will break through! 
• #13 by Mick R on 03 Nov, 2010 22:32
• Yes
  
  Good point about worrying what other people think
  
  It is unfortunately better said than done. To be honest I am not so worried what people think, about the look or me most of the time, just the fact that I look different and the initial reactions that I will have to endure in the coming weeks.
  
  I dont mind being a bit diffenet in a good way, and at the end of the day baldness is natural and I am trying to embrace it. But going from a full head of hair even if it was fake to nothing is takeing some adjusting, but I am only in day 6.
  
  I feel I have taken a couple of steps back mentally to move forward and be the person I want to be. And that includes not worrying what people think. Which I did in the Rug anyaway.
  
   I am hopeing this will release me from being self concious in any way
  
  Thanks
  
  
  
  
• #14 by Tyler on 03 Nov, 2010 23:08
• Yes, give it 30 days and you'll notice a HUGE transformation in your thoughts.