When I was young, I changed my hairstyle and colour almost as often as I changed my underwear. I never really gave it a second thought. I wanted a change, out came the scissors or dye bottle. Even if I didn’t like it, I liked it. Because it was different.
It has been a good twenty years now since I have changed my hair.
In any way, shape or form. It’s not like I haven’t wanted to, but the process seemed to take on a life of its own. Look at thousands of pictures, ask everyone’s opinion, make appointments, then chicken out. Please, I thought, don’t turn out to be one of those women that still wears their hair and makeup like they did in their twenties. For me, that would have been the eighties. I’ve seen the pictures. What the heck were we all thinking?
Why, when I talk and write a lot of articles about midlife reinvention, was this so difficult for me to do. Especially when the decision was not a permanent one. Hair grows back. I’m not stuck with it forever. And geez, how superficial am I that I peg so much of my identity, of my femininity, the way others perceive me on something so frivolous as my hair and outward appearance.
I finally took the plunge.
And so, this past week, after all my obsessing, researching and contemplating, I did it. I chopped my hair all off. As well, I am letting the grey flourish. I did not dye my hair, even though at the ends, it is fifty shades of shit. The stylist assures me that with the next trim, that should be gone. I imagine that time will tell if I pick up the bottle again but so far I am steadfast in embracing nature and the course it has set.
Related Post: How to rock short hair when you are ready for a drastic change
Honestly, it’s only been a few days, but how liberating this experience has been. I am so proud that I did it. I almost see this low maintenance experience as a form of minimalism for myself. No more fuss. I can now focus of the next challenge.
The funny thing is the reaction from others. Suggestions were made that I take this process in steps, buy wigs to try out styles, try lighter shades of colour. And when I posted a pic of my transformation, I was touted as brave. Brave!
When all is said and done, is this about cutting my hair? Letting my hair go grey? No. It IS much bigger than that. It’s about changing the things I can, and accepting the things I can’t.
Everyone wants to change things in their life. Sometimes we feel stuck, mired in over-thinking. Sometimes you just need to do it. And as silly as it seems, cutting my hair feels like a first step.
So here I am, facing midlife with a new enthusiasm. If I want change, I am the one the needs to make it happen. And I’m going to do it, one hair at a time.
My transition to salt & pepper hair is complete!
To check out all of the products I use on my grey hair, please visit my Amazon shop here.
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mewdar
Tuesday 7th of July 2020
Hi I am 64y I have been having my hair coloured for many years but over the last 10 years I've only had this done just before going on holiday each year, now during this lock down and missing out on this years holiday and colour I've now decided that it's time to be me, it depends how you look at my hair or how I style it as to how much grey is seen as it's not all over, I am like my mother was grey at the front sides then if hair is up quite a few patches underneath, the rest are just wispy bits here and there, even when my mother passed at 79y she was still the same, so as the hairdressers are re opening I have only booked a trim, my hubby said and colour but I said no, he seemed shocked and more concerned about the grey than I am, I did say when I reached 60y I wasn't going to colour my hair anymore but I wasn't ready then, I am now.
Elena Peters
Tuesday 7th of July 2020
You definitely sound ready to embrace the grey now! I am so glad I didn’t have to worry about colouring my hair during this lockdown. Heavens knows what I would have done myself!
Sue
Sunday 14th of June 2020
I'm in the process of going gray. I should only need about 1more toner treatment and maybe a haircut or two. I'm 64 so I felt it's about time. We are building out of state to be close to the grandkids. My stylist is the only person that did my hair the way I liked. I already drive 2 hrs. to see her and won't be able to any longer. I'm embracing the gray easily! I think I've been more than ready. Thanks for the wonderful, informative blog!
Elena Peters
Sunday 14th of June 2020
I’m glad you are embracing the change and thank you so much for reading! Good luck with your move.
7 Signs You Are Ready To Go Gray - Elena Peters | Living With Batman
Tuesday 29th of March 2016
[…] June of 2015, I made the decision to stop dyeing my hair. Honestly, I was really curious to see what my hair would look like. I wasn’t sure I was […]
OneDizzyBee
Wednesday 23rd of December 2015
You are my hero. My gray hair scares the crappie out of me. Yours, however, is adorable.
Ula
Tuesday 29th of September 2015
You look beautiful and happy.
I personally love shorter hair and when I was growing out my hair for two years (for charity), I was miserable. I felt so free this past June when I finally got a haircut.
As far as gray hair goes, I've been going gray since I was in my early 20s. So even though I am only 34, I have quite a bit of gray and only recently I started dying it, but with henna, so I can change my mind any time I want.
Elena
Thursday 1st of October 2015
Thank you so much Ula! I absolutely love it and it is so easy to do now and almost always looks perfect, even in a wind storm! lol I'm liking the gray and some people even think that I highlighted my hair, which is great.