I can remember feeling the same way.  All I can say is it does get better with time.  I think it's just something you have to push through.  Force yourself to go out.  It's a little awkward when you run into someone who hasn't seen you since you shaved, but once that initial meeting is over with, the feeling tends to go away.  Eventually you see that no one else really cares whether you have hair or not.

Keep visiting this site -- I know it's always been a great help to me when my confidence has needed a boost.  Hang in there.

I think you just gotta do it bro..

I wish ChicoD was around now to answer that for you...the guy was young, in the miami nightclub scene and hatin' life...

wasn't sure how a bald head would do with girls...

the dude scored more than ever!!!  It changed his life for the good...

Just go bro and remember this... almost ALL dudes hairy or not are just fakin' the confidence in those situations...

FAKE THE CONFIDENCE.... till you get it for real!

Don't blame it on the bald head bro...you're a good looking dude, girls will dig ya..

probably over the other clowns in the club...

Go out and show your bald head off..it will one day be real!

Hell Yeah BaldAndre, ChicoD is the man. The stories he relates how becoming Sly changed his life with the laydays is truly inspirational stuff.

Thanks BA! I think it was the camera angle got the good midday sun reflection off the melon, diminishes the shadow.

I lost the 'stache because the better half wont kiss me when I have it.Priorities you know!

Thanks BA! I think it was the camera angle got the good midday sun reflection off the melon, diminishes the shadow.

I lost the 'stache because the better half wont kiss me when I have it.Priorities you know!

Shave mine for the same reason lol

Thanks guys. This place is great. Nothing but genuine responses. I really appreciate it. It's a great feeling to have people to talk about this with who've gone through it. Being a big reader, i'll prolly go and pick up that book. Just right after i'm done reading Rant by chuck palahniuk. Whom i highly reccomend. He's the guy who wrote fight club. his books are twisted but a daaaaaaamn good read.

i know how you feel man... it's easy to talk about confidence and feel confident in the safety of your home, but as soon as you step into the real world with your clean head you really are put to the test.  sometimes i'm a bit worried that people might think i'm a skinhead/druggie/tough guy when really i'm none of the three -- i'm just a happy-go-lucky dude with a bald head. but i tell ya what, those kind of thoughts will destroy your esteem. 

the best advice i could give you is ditch the hat and show off your head. after all, it is the real you! i know it's difficult, similar to jumping in cold water or public speaking, but you'll feel sooooo much better when you do cuz you wont have anything to hide. eventually the novelty of it will wear off and people will get used to it.  that said, from your pic i can honestly say that if i had seen you somewhere during my "should-i-shave" stage i probably would've been envious at how well you pull it off ("i would love to shave, but there's no way i'd look as chillin as that guy ")

i believe it was baldandre who said "fake the confidence - until you get it for real" this is sooo true.  i mean, we often look to others to evaluate ourselves, how we're perceived and such, but in reality we can personally influence how others do perceive us.  if you're cool with yourself, then others will be cool with you. if they aren't, then you should be too cool to care.  i've only been sly a few days, but i've found it easy to bring it up myself "yo, check it out -- i shaved my head!" .... which has been met with "wow, looks sharp" and "oh, clean shaven did you shave today? do you hafta shave everyday" or whatever. haven't had anything negative yet but i expect if i ever get a "why did you do that?" i'll respond with "uhh, obviously cuz its.. awesome! (and i know you're jealous/want to touch it)"