As I approach the one year mark....

[sailor61]

Hard to believe it has been almost (a day or so short)a year since the first time I stood in the shower with razor in my hand and wondered if it was the right choice....well, for me, it was.  Posting this here in order to reach those who are still wondering..

And, my words of wisdom to those who are questioning, fence sitting, not sure or plain old just too gutless to do it.....For God's sake men!  It's not that big a deal - it's only  a haircut.  Try it!
Scratch the itch and see how it feels. Most likely you'll love it and, if you don't, it'll grow back.

We're not talking about a permanent change, we're talking about trying a change in your appearance that may well lead to some positive changes in your self-image and the like.

Yes, people will react, just as you do when someone changes their image -it's natural.  A brief word on a strong suspicion of mine, which I have heard from a number of others, the guys who will kid and tease the most are the ones who really want/need to do the same thing.  It's a GUY THING - we aren't, in general, "mutually supportive" etc. We bust each other's balls, mercilessly at times, in order to show we've got balls to bust.  Shaving your head is really no different than if you've always worn a blue shirt and then switch to white - and it just creates an opening for guys to be guys.  Rather than fearing it - enjoy it, go with it, have a few snappy come backs in mind to quickly throw back and revel in your ability to change as your life moves forward.

And, at this "milestone", there is only one question about going bald that still resounds in my head, "Why the f&*k did I wait so bloody long?

My advice as a bald guy, get the gear together and just try it. Don't over plan it, don't agonize any longer over it, don't over analyze how it will impact your co-workers  or any of the other absurd excuses we come up with. Your dog will still love you. Your wife won't leave you unless her bags are already packed. Your head is shaped just fine to be bald. Western civilization will not collapse if you ditch the bozo ring. Babies will not cower in their strollers.  Horses will not shy away in the streets. Just take control over the remnants of your hair and be done with it.  You won't look like a freak, a patient, a biker, a nazi, a skinhead or anything else unless you already are one.

Take this chance to be true to yourself and see if it works - FOR YOU.  Give yourself the opportunity to feel better about yourself and the image you project in the world.

Now, go get that razor out....

Most likely when the deed is done you'll be like me; very pleased with the outcome, enjoying the freedom it gives you and wondering "why the hell did I worry about this so much?  it's only hair"    And it grows back way too fast now that I don't really care about it anymore.....

[Paul the Headblader]

well said!
this is like most of the big changes in our life, we keep on thinking about it, on and on and on, and at the end of the day, we'll see it's not a big deal, and we'll also see that we LOVE it!

[TheSlyBear]

Ought to be required reading for all men.

[xnewyawka]

Very good post sailor, and it really is amazing how simple it is when you get down to it. Many of the worries and insecurities about shaving the dome are self-inflicted. I hope more men who read this will pull themselves up and out of it, and feel the power of taking control of your own destiny.
Stand tall, proud and bald guys, no hiding, no caps, get it out there!   

[-Doug-]

Well said Sailor! Required reading indeed!

[ycartt]

Agreed!  3 years this month for me and enjoying it.  Just wish I didn't have to shave every day to keep thinning hair away.

[isleepinthebuff]

I agree - once you start you think I should have done this ages ago!

[BaldHDbiker]

I have to agree. Very well said!! 

[kalbo]

Excellent post Sailor...congratulations on the anniversary. What you wrote will surely inspire those who are still on the fence to jump over and join the brotherhood of the bald.

[isleepinthebuff]

Seriously man, you are dude meant not to have hair!

[Slynito]

Excellent! Congrats...

[Itall]

Congrats

[D.A.L.U.I.]

So if I'm reading you right, you're not going to grow what's left back?

[AgeTwentyTwoBaldy]

Great post! For a recent new sly like myself, I can tell you that I was hesitant for over a year to shave my head. From the time I realized I had already lost quite a bit of hair for someone my age until I actually ended up shaving 10 days ago, I had already wasted a lot of quality time as a new sly. I'm here to support your post and to encourage other men who are unsure of the ways of the sly. The only way to figure out how the sly look will fit you is to do it and keep it for at least a month. I'm only on day 10, but I have already decided that this new look is the way to go.

Benefits to going sly:

- Your confidence will skyrocket.
- It will help you to accept yourself for who you are.
- Other people will notice your confidence and your relationships with them will improve (almost always)
- You open yourself up to a whole new batch of women (or men) who are specifically attracted to bald men.
- You join a brotherhood like many of us here. When you go sly, you're never alone.
- Finally, it just looks and feels awesome. Seriously.

I enjoyed reading your post, sailor, and I hope that many balding men find courage and motivation from it. I have no doubt that most men who choose to shave their heads will like it, and most of the people around them will accept it. If they don't, well, then that's just too bad.

[4fit]

Sailor, I truly dont know how your messege could have been delivered any better. From myself and I'm sure countless others, Thank You.