Hey Pikture,
Welcome mate, I'm quite new here too, and like a few others I only considered joining this forum as opposed to any other - its v. supportive and the guys are a laugh and have wise words to say. I might not post very frequently but I've met a few guys on here that I keep in touch with via Private Messaging and that can be a very good way of bouncing personal issues off guys in the same situation.
I agree hugely with the comment that the hair doesn't make you YOU, your mindset and actions make you the bloke you are.
I am in your shoes too, I'm 23 and for years now my hair has pulled me this way and that, (going out I would constantly check my hair, in toilet mirrors etc., I wouldn't play sport as much, definitely didn't go swimming) - it drove me insane as I was such an outgoing guy in years gone by.
I am soon going to shave my hair (i.e. in the next few weeks) and from then on, no looking back! The hardest part is change, as with many aspects of life I think. It is always hard to deal with something that will change in your life in some way,
forever. And I tell people, the hardest part about balding is that it is change that you can tell is happening years in advance of you having to do something about it - it is a gradual struggle/change. (Although there are men that, respect to them, shave their hair off early on at the
first signs of receding hair! I couldn't do it at 18.. no way!)
In some ways a sudden change is easier on the conscience because you can't see it coming, therefore cannot worry about it.. and once it has happened (like breaking a leg, or losing your job) you then do what you can to rectify the situation. Balding is a killer in that respect - rarely do people suddenly lose lots of hair it is a very gradual change that will now and then spark comments from people and these in my experience get more frequent, and hurt deep inside. It all depends on your personality though.. I'm trying to change mine a bit
- to be less sensitive to these comments/preconceptions anyway.
