SLY but feeling very self-concious

• SLY but feeling very self-concious by genxeration on 27 Mar, 2011 13:32
• Well, after several weeks of consideration, I went sly yesterday.  I used a 1/16 guard on my clippers and then used Head Slick shaving cream with a Gillette Fussion ProGluide razor.  My shave is mostly smooth but I can feel a slight roughness when I rub against the grain.  I did shave against the grain but used a VERY light pressure since this was my first shave.  I am still trying to get used to the new look and I have only left my house to visit my parents.  Their reaction was mostly neutral.  I guess I feel a little self-conscious at this point.  I have a week off from work to get used to the new look.  I'm going to go have dinner tonight and that will be my first time out in public.   I will post my SLY photo soon.
• #1 by Razor X on 27 Mar, 2011 14:10
• It's normal to feel a little self-conscious at first.  Parents are usually the harshest critics (aside from ourselves, that is), so the neutral reaction is a very good sign.  Look for the reactions from other people to be either neutral or positive.  Once you meet a few people and realize that the sky isn't falling, the self-consciousness will start to go away.
• #2 by sailor61 on 27 Mar, 2011 15:39
• what Razor said...
  
  plus it's good to have a response in mind to the stupid question(s) that some are bound to ask.Q "what happened to your hair?"  R "I had hair?"/"Gee I must have forgotten it"/"The rest of it went down the drain" etc   In my opinion people that ask foolish, tactless questions deserve a smart a$$ response.  Turn it into a joke, neautralize it and move on.
  
  I only encountered that sort of situation twice = and one of them was with a neighbor that I could have guaranteed would say something.
  
  My parents are both gonebut I can imagine that is the most difficult "reveal".
  
  The rest of it is going to be simple - relax and enjoy the new you!
• #3 by marty22 on 27 Mar, 2011 16:19
• I have people (like at the local Diner today) ask me what happened to your hair. I said I changed it 5 years ago. You never know. hang in there!
• #4 by banmuir on 27 Mar, 2011 22:32
• 
  

  Quote from: Razor X on 27 Mar, 2011 14:10

  Once you meet a few people and realize that the sky isn't falling, the self-consciousness will start to go away.
  

  
  I'm generally shy, but get to work with a lot of people. I was a bit tense about those first encounters. Don't be apologetic. Have some positive answers for those who will genuinely enquire (besides the 'funny ones'). I felt most self-concious on my first trip the supermarket (among total strangers). I guess I expected people to notice and react ... but why should they, I was just another arbitrary stranger.
  
  I've had good chats (and banter) with those who know me. People who are acquaintances are mostly polite and say nothing. People who have seen me before either do a double-take or don't recognise me.
  
  I act like there's nothing weird going on, and they take their cue from me. Carry on with living, and enjoy it.
  
  
• #5 by Papa Don on 28 Mar, 2011 09:49
• These are good remarks to your post.  Take them to heart.  There is always going to be someone out there to approach you with silly questions.  Evidentually, they don't have a life and infringe on your.
• #6 by sailor61 on 28 Mar, 2011 11:20
• A couple of other thoughts.....
  
  1) Women who look twice and follow you with a gaze are NOT gawking.  They're the ones who find bald men and our confidence attractive.
  
  2) Guys who give you a hard time (especially those with ANY sign of MPB) are jealous of the fact that you have the stones to actually do something positive about the situation - and likely really ROCK the look.
  
  So where's the pic?
• #7 by BaldHDbiker on 30 Mar, 2011 14:42
• It looks great. How has the reaction been to the new look?
• #8 by PeripheralxMvmnt on 30 Mar, 2011 14:47
• Im sure you'll find out soon that shaving your head was one of the best things you could do for yourself!
• #9 by sailor61 on 30 Mar, 2011 16:21
• DAMN guy - you rock it, you've got NOTHING to be self-concious about
• #10 by deman on 31 Mar, 2011 10:07
• First of all, that's a great look! I know what you mean, it's hard to ditch the rug and then walk out with no hair at all! I have actually found it easier to talk about wearing the rug after it's gone now! I only have about two weeks of sly experience on you so I know exactly what you're feeling.....just take one encounter at a time and be confident in your decision (you have no reason not to be confident ). Maybe send out an email to friends and family with your new look so they have an idea what you did! It worked well for me and I got alot of good comments when I did that . Just remember, 30 days!
• #11 by Paul on 31 Mar, 2011 11:02
• Welcome genexeration.   While it is normal to feel a bit self conscious at first, I think you will find that others won't make a big deal out of it.
• #12 by melkins22 on 05 May, 2011 20:21
• My hardest critic was my wife...which was tough for me to handle.  But we have since somewhat worked it out.  I have gotten a lot of double looks, from people who know me..but all in all people have been supportive...just go out there and sport it..who gives a crap what people say
• #13 by Arty Chris on 21 May, 2011 14:00
• So, a couple of months later... how's it going? I'm guessing the self consiousness has pretty much gone