First of all, let me state that I have read through many of your stories before posting my own, and I am in good company. Some of you seemed to take the words right out my mouth. And that is a relief to me on some level.
I started losing my hair shortly after my 21st birthday while I was in college. It was a devastating feeling being in the shower, and seeing just patches of hair float down the drain. My family is Italian... burly, hairy Italian. No one could understand why I was going bald. My mom would say, "It's not in the family... no one has the bald gene." It was tough thing to digest for a long time. I was ALWAYS with a hat... even when I should not have been (job interviews, dates, etc...) It never sat well with me... let me rephrase that... I never accepted it. There have been many mortifying moments during my 20's where my hair loss made me feel humiliated.
When it came to women... believe it or not, none of them cared. In their eyes it was still me... charming, passionate, intelligent, funny guy they always knew. haha My struggle was internal. I viewed my baldness almost as a curse. And hearing men with full heads of hair complain about ANYTHING drove me up a wall. "They don't know what hardship is... I thought."
I'm a regular sized guy... 6'1" 193 lbs. Most of friends say "Your always complaining about your head, but at least you don't have beer guts like some guys our age do." I laugh and tell them, "Those are avoidable physical traits... just don't drink like a fool all the time."
So as the years progressed, I avoided life. Didn't want a job in an office because of the lighting (self conscious to the max). Most of my jobs were Construction based b/c they allowed you to wear a hat (wow that sounds pathetic just writing it). Wasn't happy with my appearance so I stopped dating. After a while I felt like all my closest friends saw me in a more positive light than I saw myself. "It's only an issue if you make it an issue..." was the advice of my family.
One of my biggest questions through the years has been, "How come some men are just fine with being bald and some men (myself) despise it so much." I know the answer has something to do with confidence and acceptance.
Currently... instead of using shears to cut my little hair left, I just use a razor and shave my head altogether. Not a fan of the look, but I am out of options. haha Just finished my Master's degree in Education, and in search of a (K-8) teaching position. Believe it or not, teaching in front of 25+ little brats I don't even think about it. I love public speaking and adore teaching.
I guess the main reason I came here is to ask my all of you the following questions... (1) How do you move on from it? There is an old expression... for every good man there is a great woman. I don't give myself a chance to make any connections with a new woman b/c of the fear of my head. I know... its RIDICULOUS! And women have told me, "I love bald men." I DON"T LIKE THE LOOK. It has nothing to do with them.
Question (2) They have cosmetic surgery for EVERYTHING in this day and age... is the hair restoration technology so good that they REALLY restore hair realistically? I am the biggest skeptic in the world.
People have said to me many times through the years, "If you don't like it so much then do something about it." And they are absolutely right... but some of the commericals I see... the results look fake.
My reason for doing it wouldn't be for vanity purposes, just the opposite. It would kick start my life again.
Thank you for your time.
Your thoughts?
I started losing my hair shortly after my 21st birthday while I was in college. It was a devastating feeling being in the shower, and seeing just patches of hair float down the drain. My family is Italian... burly, hairy Italian. No one could understand why I was going bald. My mom would say, "It's not in the family... no one has the bald gene." It was tough thing to digest for a long time. I was ALWAYS with a hat... even when I should not have been (job interviews, dates, etc...) It never sat well with me... let me rephrase that... I never accepted it. There have been many mortifying moments during my 20's where my hair loss made me feel humiliated.
When it came to women... believe it or not, none of them cared. In their eyes it was still me... charming, passionate, intelligent, funny guy they always knew. haha My struggle was internal. I viewed my baldness almost as a curse. And hearing men with full heads of hair complain about ANYTHING drove me up a wall. "They don't know what hardship is... I thought."
I'm a regular sized guy... 6'1" 193 lbs. Most of friends say "Your always complaining about your head, but at least you don't have beer guts like some guys our age do." I laugh and tell them, "Those are avoidable physical traits... just don't drink like a fool all the time."
So as the years progressed, I avoided life. Didn't want a job in an office because of the lighting (self conscious to the max). Most of my jobs were Construction based b/c they allowed you to wear a hat (wow that sounds pathetic just writing it). Wasn't happy with my appearance so I stopped dating. After a while I felt like all my closest friends saw me in a more positive light than I saw myself. "It's only an issue if you make it an issue..." was the advice of my family.
One of my biggest questions through the years has been, "How come some men are just fine with being bald and some men (myself) despise it so much." I know the answer has something to do with confidence and acceptance.
Currently... instead of using shears to cut my little hair left, I just use a razor and shave my head altogether. Not a fan of the look, but I am out of options. haha Just finished my Master's degree in Education, and in search of a (K-8) teaching position. Believe it or not, teaching in front of 25+ little brats I don't even think about it. I love public speaking and adore teaching.
I guess the main reason I came here is to ask my all of you the following questions... (1) How do you move on from it? There is an old expression... for every good man there is a great woman. I don't give myself a chance to make any connections with a new woman b/c of the fear of my head. I know... its RIDICULOUS! And women have told me, "I love bald men." I DON"T LIKE THE LOOK. It has nothing to do with them.
Question (2) They have cosmetic surgery for EVERYTHING in this day and age... is the hair restoration technology so good that they REALLY restore hair realistically? I am the biggest skeptic in the world.
People have said to me many times through the years, "If you don't like it so much then do something about it." And they are absolutely right... but some of the commericals I see... the results look fake.
My reason for doing it wouldn't be for vanity purposes, just the opposite. It would kick start my life again.
Thank you for your time.
Your thoughts?
Comment