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my journey - a story with a happy ending by HoodooMan on 18 Nov, 2009 22:35
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hey fellas! i've been saved! and no, i'm not talking about some celestial force. i was saved from having to live a life of constant worry, low self esteem, and ridicule. maybe a few of you might remember me from the short time i was here. it's been a year and a half since i first posted (and almost two since i started "lurking" the forum). anyhow, i'm 25 years old. very bad receeding hairline, "island" up front, thinning on the rest of the top, and crown bald spot getting worse. just typical MPB.
i had alot of things going on in my life before, and the hairloss(starting at around age18) just added to my list of mounting problems. as a youngster, and up to low 20's, i was a very self-confident, happy fellow. by 22 i had very, very low self esteem, could not go out without a cap, and hated/feared: the wind, rain, sweat, sports, certain lighting, and i had stopped approaching women. the only reason i still was lucky enough to be with some women was because i am a front man in a band on guitar and vocals. (you can be ugly and get women in a band, look at mc jagger!) anyhow, so luckily some women still hit on me. but i wouldn't DARE approach one of them first. basically, i had stopped doing all of the activities and general things in my life that i had loved. since i didnt care about myself, i treated myself accordingly. i started playing with questionable substances at gigs and at afterparties, slept with various women,(of course none of this lead to any meaningful encounters/relationships) and drank heavily. all of this made me, of course, feel even worse about myself. i didn't feel like "me" and i certainly didn't look like me with this MPB. at least, i didn't think so. when i looked in the mirror i thought, "i don't know this fella, why should i care about him?”
I woke up one day and decided I needed to change - I had an epiphany. I bought clippers and I buzzed my head. Then I actually went clean with the mach 3 after a few months of buzzing. My family and friends HATED it and ridiculed me relentlessly. But I’ve stuck with it, and It helped my self esteem tremendously. I no longer had to fear all those things I listed above. I felt exposed, liberated - I felt like a man. And I felt true to myself as well. No more hours looking in the mirror. No more hairspray. I went to alcohol rehab and have been doing well living clean, my head included! I met a gorgeous woman who’s been my live-in girlfriend for 8 months. My self esteem, sense of humor and confidence have all come back to me.
And most importantly of all, now, I love the man in the mirror.
Thanks for reading
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#1 by Tyler on 18 Nov, 2009 23:05
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Awesome recount of your journey! Thanks for sharing!
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#2 by ozzie on 19 Nov, 2009 00:43
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WOW!! What a great turn-around, HoodooMan. Congratulations!
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#3 by HoodooMan on 19 Nov, 2009 01:03
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thank you guys for taking the time to read, and respond to, my post. my transformation began initially with encouragement from this site in regards to my MPB issue. from there, everything snow-balled in a good way. and i now can enjoy all of those things in life that i used to avoid.
so even though people such as myself may come and go through your virtual world, all of your inspiring and encouraging posts are "heard" and may help someone like me turn things around. so i hope you'll all continue to do what you've been doing.
thanks to those who have encouraged myself and others to follow that path towards positive change in our lives
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#4 by BaldMark on 19 Nov, 2009 01:50
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Good for you!!! You have really had a journey, and I'm glad to hear that it has worked out for you! Keep it up!
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#5 by Paul on 19 Nov, 2009 04:07
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Great to hear that your journey had such a successful end Hoodoo and great that you came back to share that inspirational story with us. Many of the men sitting on the fence about going sly should read it and take heart from your words.
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#6 by Mikekoz13 on 19 Nov, 2009 05:02
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Welcome back HoodooMan! What a great story!
Congrats to you for pulling yourself out of that funk and getting on with your life. EVERY guy that comes here looking for help or advice should read that post.
It's all about confidence....that confidence willl breed other good things.
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#7 by joergHH on 19 Nov, 2009 06:20
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And most importantly of all, now, I love the man in the mirror.
Welcome back. Thanx for sharing your story. Congrats you found the way back to you.
J -
#8 by schro on 19 Nov, 2009 06:41
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RIGHT ON, HOODOOMAN!
I loved reading your post and am glad to hear of your transformation.
It's funny you mention the "island" you had on the front of your head. I had the exact same thing going on back in high school and my hair hung in there 'til about age 27. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have shaved my head years ago instead of waiting 'til age 40. -
#9 by PeripheralxMvmnt on 19 Nov, 2009 07:19
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Awesome story hoodoo! Glad to hear that others are "seeing the light!"
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#10 by FR8TRAIN on 19 Nov, 2009 07:58
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WOW!
What a testimonial of true SLY transformation. Way to go Hoodoo! 
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#11 by Papa Don on 19 Nov, 2009 08:21
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Fantastic post HoodooMan!!! Your post should be the signature for all new member lurking on the web for information and guidance for MPB. Good luck and best wishes for a continued happy life.
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#12 by schro on 19 Nov, 2009 08:23
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Hey HoodooMan,
Post up some pics! -
#13 by herronm on 19 Nov, 2009 09:15
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That is a terrific story! Many of us have found that new self confidence just by shaving our heads. Thanks for sharing.
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#14 by tomgallagher on 19 Nov, 2009 09:45
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Congrats dude. Great story.