Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: KW72 on July 13, 2011, 03:06:12 PM
-
This is actually my second post...I just piggy backed on a hair club topic earlier so I hope you won't mind the second intro...
I have been a Hair Club member (how I hate typing this) for nearly 20 years. Started losing my hair at 17 and by 19 was very thin. I was going away to school and very self conscious about my hair loss. I joined HCM a month before going away to school. It did give me more confidence and I was pleased with my appearance. I thought I would always have to wear a system since I would look "weird" with no hair and I would be too embarrassed to explain the fact that I wore a hairpiece to everyone.
I am now 39 with 2 kids (who have never known me without my "hair") Over the last couple months I have finally come to grips that I am living a lie with the fake hair. It is too expensive and I am tired about the maintenance and worrying if others know it is fake. I have spoken to my wife and she is supportive with my decision.
My plan is to take off a couple days next month. Shave the hair down with clippers and get some sun on my head. I am a little freaked out about showing up to work shaved. I am just looking for some advice on how to prepare my kids (they are 4 and 7 ) and any tips on how to deal with my return to the office. I am going to tell a handful of my close firends over the next couple weeks.
Just wanted to say I am so glad I found this site.
-
Welcome to SBGs!!! 8)
-
Welcome KW. I'm going to say the exact same thing to you that I said to JP:
You're headed in the right direction now. Quit the (fake) hair club, buzz it down, shave it smooth, then stand tall and proud, be yourself and get on with your life of freedom!
Good luck to you and keep us posted.
-
Welcome to SBG! You'll see my advice in JP's thread. Basically, just do it and follow the 30 day rule.
-
Welcome. Just follow Tyler's and Joe's advice and you should be ok. As for the kids, they are far more accepting of change than we are.
-
Welcome.
Congrats on ditching the rug.
In regards to the kids, there is no reason to tell them.
The reaction they give you will be priceless, so let it be a surprise.
I have 3 kids, ages 3, 5, and 7, and gave them and the wife no warning.
The 3 y/o did not even recognize me, and the 5 and 7 year old laughed and joked with me for days.
-
You might let your kids help you free yourself of your hair! Make a game of it! Play with the "rug" letting your kids try it on! Throw it around plying don't let the varmit get you! They"ll probably laugh and remember that day for a long, long time. Let them take a couple of passes with the clippers through your remaining hair! Once you have it clipped as short as you can, why not let them help you lather it up. You can then excuse yourself for the final shave if you plan to shave in the shower, or you can let them cheer you on with each pass of the razor if you are a sink shaver. Once you are finished, be sure to let them feel and rub your new smooth scalp.
Tell your co-workers if you want to! But realize if you do that you have no way of backing out if you should chang your mind! I think that I would just do the deed and show up to work with my head held high and a big grin on my face! There might be a comment or a joke here or there but most of your co-workers are going to admire your new hair-cut! I'll bet you'll see another shiney head or two soon after you shave yours.
-
I am not backing out. Less than a month to go...I have purchased clippers, headblade products, etc. Not sure if I will shave it initially. Will buzz down to a zero for sure. I think I will eventually give the full sly look a chance...
I have told my folks and my wife. Will be telling my brother and a handful of close friends. I think I will give my boss a heads up and my direct report at work. This is the correct decision. More worried about running into people at work. I told my wife to post a picture of my new look on her Facebook page when the deed is done.
No idea if I'll look like Bruce Willis or Bull from Night Court but either way it will be better than the alternative
-
One thing I am not sure about. I have no idea how long my contract is for at HCM. I know they are for a year, but can't remember when I signed it. I will need to call their office and tell them I am done...that will be a great phone call. Not sure if I can break the contract outright or at worst switch to the lowest monthly rate until it expires...
Does anyone have any experience with this?
-
Not sure if I can break the contract outright or at worst switch to the lowest monthly rate until it expires...
This would depend on the contract language and the laws of your state;, BUT--they can't force you to go there and unless they provide a service or you put in a task order, depending on the contract, it should be the minimum I would think. If it's an automatic debit to your credit card or checking account, cancel that today and keep evidence. Talk with a lawyer in your area if you know one, and call the Better Business Bureau to check on complaints about your wig shop in particular--they may have some information that can help you. Would love to hear the call! If your sales rep wears a toilet seat system--give him the SBG website and tell him to clean up his act! >:D
-
KW-
As I said in the other thread... Props to you and your Family (for their support).
We can't wait to meet the "real" you. As I said in the other thread... PM me if you like.
-
Here is the latest update...
Talked to my brother about getting rid of the "hair" and he was very supportive. Got a long weekend scheduled for early next month. Going to call HCM to tell them I am done. T minus less than 3 weeks. I guess I am going to finally do this. No backing out.
I can't thank you all enough for all your help.
-
Welcome to the group. Not to put any pressure on you but why wait 3 weeks. Just go into the bathroom and "do it". You will feel much better.
-
I will feel better for sure.
Talking to my wife/folks has reinforced to me that getting rid of the "system" is the right call. The encouragement on this site has helped me too.
It took me 20 years to get to this point, I don't think another 20 days will hurt. I would rather have a little time to prepare myself before I go into the office. I am going to a concert with a few friends the Friday after I shave down so I'll be able to show them.
I don't feel any pressure, but I feel better about the decision each passing day.
-
I feel better about the decision each passing day.
Your only regret will be that you waited so long--and that has been the case for so many of the guys here, yours truly very much included. You're really going to like this.
-
Waiting to see the "old you" vs. the "new you," vis-a-vis my own posted picture.
"Off with the old, on with the new," is my advice. If not now, when?
I am always about to start my diet "tomorrow." And yet I'm lardier by the week.
If only "slim" were as easy as "sly."
Word to the wise.
-
I think you might have something...
I have been running on a regular basis for the last 15 years. Getting started is the hardest part. I am pretty sure getting rid of my system will be easier than running 4-5 times a week.
Now that I think about it there are a lot of similarities between taking the plunge of starting to get in shape and shaving for the first time. People put up barriers to running/working out by saying I could never run (walk, etc.) that far, I would look silly, I don't have the time, etc. For the most part it is in your head and just an excuse. You just have to have confidence and stick to it and it will become a normal routine...
Why didn't I ditch the rug before? I had built in excuses...my head shape is weird, I'll be too embarrassed, I won't look good, people will judge me, etc.
I am slowly getting the jist that with no pain (running/shaving and a new appearance) there is no gain (better fitness/freedom from the system)...
-
Welcome KW72
-
Man I salute you. Look it at this way bro, you had the cajones to wear a rug! I don't think I could, mind you I am selectively bald. But I'm also borderline vain and don't think I could what you did for those years, so if you are going sly remember your confidence when you had the rug, remember that now you are natural. The first few days you will feel cold, odd, naked, but lay attention to your chest and posture. Pride will come.
-
The day is slowly approaching...no backing out. I alternate between being excited and being freaked out about it. I am not the kind of person who likes to draw attention to myself. I think it will be inevitable that it will be awkward for a period of time but the long term benefits of saving money, time, worry about the system, etc. will be well worth it.
What is your advice to reply to someone who asks, "Why did you do this?". Part of me wants to just say I wore a hairpiece and wanted to go natural. That should end the discussion.
-
What is your advice to reply to someone who asks, "Why did you do this?". Part of me wants to just say I wore a hairpiece and wanted to go natural. That should end the discussion.
I would just say, "Because I felt like it" and leave it at that. You don't really owe anybody any explanations. You'll be surprised at how few people with bother to ask.
I'm not really sure what it is you're waiting for, but it sounds like the decision has been made, so the best thing to do is just carry through with it as soon as possible. That excited/freaked out feeling is going to plague you until you do. Along with sly comes immediate peace of mind.
-
"My hairline was receding and I was tired of living under a rug" sort of says it all. why tell someone anything else but the truth?
"Because I wanted to" also works quite well.
Shaving your head IS NOT a permanent change - the remnants will grow back quickly. It's only a hairstyle.
In the end; stop over-analyzing this. Either do it or don't - stop torturing yourself.
-
Thanks for the support. I am waiting for 2 weeks because I have 3 days off in a couple weeks.
Don't worry I won't back out. I am sure I am over analyzing it since once it is done I will wonder what all the fuss is about.
Just trying to be honest about my state of mind...
-
I called HCM and told them that I was not going to renew my contract (you can sign one on a yearly basis). The manager asked me why and I told her I was tired of wearing a system and wanted to move on.
All I had to do was send her an email telling them that I did not want to renew my contract. Under the terms of the contract I had to give them 30 days notice. So I have to pay one more monthly fee and that is it.
Felt great. On the road to freedom...
-
Good for you KW! I'm on day 128. I'm BBC with a some receding up front. I keep thinking that I'm going to let it grow out and go back to my flattop but every day when I get home from work, out comes the shave gel and razor. I guess we'll see what happens? Anyway, I admire your determination to pull the plug on the rug and see what you've been missing! Dave
-
I was thinking of getting my first shave done at a shaving store at the mall. It is called The Art of Shaving. Anyone heard of it? The have locations all over the country. It costs $35. I think I will be able to handle the trimming/shaving for the long term...
-
That franchise has been around for a while.
-
I was thinking of getting my first shave done at a shaving store at the mall. It is called The Art of Shaving. Anyone heard of it? The have locations all over the country. It costs $35. I think I will be able to handle the trimming/shaving for the long term...
That will be a cool way to do it! Ask someone to be there to take pics.
-
T minus 1 day...
-
I think I will be able to handle the trimming/shaving for the long term...
Oh yeah O0, you will be able to and with a little time, practice and experience it could become one of the best parts of your day as it is for many of us. See You Sly Soon. 8)