Even before I cut off my dreads I wanted to shave my head. I’ve not had the desire until this last year and then it became strong. There would be days that my dreads would be itchy or out of control and I would have this pull to take a pair of clippers to my head.
When I did finally cut off my dreads, I knew it was time. I cut off each dread one by one and gave gratitude to it for all that I had learned from the experience. When I was finished cutting them I took clippers and shaved the sides of my head and the back. But something stopped me when I got to the top. I spent hours combing the dreads on top of my head out so that there was still some “hair” on my head.
I loved that cut and I may have it again someday. However, I knew that I was supposed to shave it all, and the fear of how I would look, was holding me back. It was like the hair on top was a cushion against the world and I could say that I still had “hair”.
From there I started a growing out phase and it became chaos. I was unsettled because I knew that I wanted to shave it but I had already made progress in growing it for 3 months. I cut the top in hopes that it would feel, “all one length” but still my discontent rose.
When I went to meet Tara last week I told my husband that I would probably come home with a shaved head.
Tara shines in her new buzz cut. Her whole spirit is lighter and more free than you can imagine and it’s contagious. I told her she should start carrying clippers with her wherever she goes.
Within hours of coming home from that meeting I shaved my hair, all of it. And it felt very liberating. It felt like I had finally dealt with this thing that I was called to do and had resisted. It felt like completing this task that had been waiting and calling to me.
That was five days ago. It still catches me off guard when I see my reflection and I’m reminded that that’s really me staring back. There is no hiding anymore, there is no cowering behind the fringe on top. I am all out there.
In the last day or so I’m struggling with some of it. I’m questioning if I look enough like a “girl”. But I’m digging into every emotion that comes through this shaved head of mine and embracing each one as part of who I am and all that I want to learn about myself.
I am empowered and inspired just from reading and viewing pictures like yours and Taras of the dread to shaved head experience. Makes me feel braver to step out of my comfort zone and be me!
My fist thought “BRAVE, beautiful girl”…love the sense of not hiding anymore.
I had a somewhat similar experience when I shaved my head a few years ago. I was floored by the emotions I felt by it. Good for you though! You are absolutely stunning.
You are so freaking amazing. ♥ And I think I may take your advice and start carrying clippers. Can you see me now, chasing after women yelling “But you’ll feel so freeeeee!” LOL
Perfect!! Shall we start collecting bail money now? lol
Hair freeeeedom! Inspiring and amazing.
I really want to do this next year. I wrote a post about my journey and then cut off my last dreads this month. I’d like to add a link to your blog post too, if that’s ok? My husband cut my hair neck length, then I had it cut again this week. Shorter by the week.
You look wonderful x
You are so beautiful! Love your new look! x
You look incredible. I’ve talked about shaving my head, but have simply cut it really short. One of these days I will take the plunge…
The first thing I noticed in the photo is your eyes. While before, my eye was sometimes drawn to your dreads first, now I go straight for the most important element.
Also, I now want to cut my hair short again.
oh…this is you! <3
you're beautiful.
This is Fantastic! I’ve seen your instagram photos, so I knew you did it, but I haven’t had a chance to blog hop lately. Love the story that goes along with the gorgeousness that shines through your photos. <3 I buzzed mine off 6 days ago … being "all out there"; scary and empowering at the same time.
You look beautiful lady …. shaving your head must feel so incredibly empowering – I chickened out and just combed my dreads out!
Being an Indian girl of 28 years, Married with a kid, my husband really loves me and has given me a free choice to cut off my mass of hair, browny & silky & shiny, just because we two DO NOT LOVE to see each other in Hair. We planned to have a complete head shave at a shrine named Tirupati, in South India, where millions of girls shave their head completely every year. We two went there & shaved our heads to a glossy & with bluish tinge where hair used to be. I have done it some three months now, and till today I am completely bald, because my hubby passes his Gillette Razor over my head every morning when he himself does the shaving chore. I gues, you may also induce your hubby to shave your head every day, or at least twice/ thrice a WEEK, so that the vulgar phenomenon of hair growth does not affect you.
It looks beautiful!
I’m 24 years old and in early November I had an accident where I left bleach on my hair too long and it was beyond repair. I first cut it to a chin length bob (it was down about 4 inches past my shoulders) but after two days of that I could tell that it wasn’ t getting any better and just looked horrible. It was FRIED. I realized shaving my head was inevitable. I shaved it on November 9th and now am growing it out again.
At first it was difficult losing that sense of femininity – I know exaaaactly what you’re talking about. Now that it’s about 2.5 inches long, I can comb in it a way that looks chic, even like I meant to cut it this way. I get so many compliments. Of course I’m growing it out, but I’ve really begun to embrace the various stages. I figure this will probably be the only time in my life my hair is this short, so I’m going to enjoy it while I can
Best wishes to you!