Yep, that is the tattooed forearm of my hairstylist showing off her latest hair trophy…my two long-ass ponytails. After painstakingly growing out my hair for the past five years, I decided it was time to chop it—to shed half a decade permanently and embrace the new.
It’s no wonder we gals get so attached to our hair. That hair’s been attached to us for years—through good times and bad, through boredom, through adventure, through love, and through sadness.
Of course, there is the obligatory idea that long hair on a woman is more beautiful, more youthful. We see celebrities wearing extensions to conceal their short hair from the public, we are told that only soccer moms and older women go short, and there’s a rumor that men prefer long hair.
Funny, but Mr. H likes short hair. Something about seeing my face better, which is quite sweet.
I had an interesting chat with one of our cool neighborhood bartenders a couple of days before the Great Ponytail Massacre. She was rocking a new pixie after a lifetime of Rapunzel hair. She felt liberated after letting it go and she looked it, like a weight had been lifted off her entire face and body.
As “pretty” as long hair can appear, I won’t miss the obscene shampoo budget or getting caught in car doors and automatic windows. The moment my ponytails were cut off, I didn’t get teary-eyed or feel regret.
I felt freaking awesome.
Now there is no mass of hair for me to hide behind. It’s just me.
Along with this newfound sense of freedom, I decided that it was time for me to take a hiatus. Last year I did a little experiment and took a two-month break from blogging and social media.
That’s right…cold turkey.
- No weekly blogging. All email notifications of likes and comments were turned off. Commenters would receive responses after the hiatus.
- No blog socializing. Though I kept up with my blogger buddies I am subscribed to through email, I refrained from my usual liking and commenting.
- No social media. This included my Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook accounts (personal and author). Email notifications were turned off and to avoid any slip-ups, all apps were removed from my smartphone.
It was my version of a going to a deserted island for a while. Though in reality I was still in Milwaukee, working in my cubicle, finishing my Yoga teacher training, and busting out my first draft of NOLA FRAN EVIE.
My intention for this experiment was to take some time away from the chatter to find focus, the kind that I was craving to achieve some personal milestones.
And, I did find it. Hell, I even nailed my first headstand after many months of hard work.
(If you want to read about my hiatus experiment last year, check out So You Want to Take a Media Vacay.)
This time my intention is quite different. Believe it or not, this go-getter doesn’t have any big life goals. The only thing I know is that I will hunt for inspiration through nature, books, and human experience.
I am searching for rejuvenation. Most of all, I simply want to be.
Rather than two months this year, I’ll be out for the month of September. I’ll still be keeping up with my favorite blogs, but I’ll be one of those lurkers who never makes their presence known. I’ll respond to any social media and blogging comments upon my return. Naturally I’ll miss you guys, but I know that you’ll all still be here when I get back.
If you miss me, you can always contact me the old-fashioned way…through email.
And, ahem—for those who still haven’t read my latest book NOLA FRAN EVIE, you know what to do. (Hint…buy it today on Amazon!)
I’ll be around until Sunday the 31st and would love to hear from you before I go dark. Thank you all for your gorgeous support.
Oh, here’s my hair…
Britt Skrabanek 
That haircut really suits you. Not sure I’d look as good as you if I cut off my long hair, as I’m older and wear glasses. But I know what you mean about hair getting caught in things. Mine once got caught in the electric whisk in the kitchen. I had to think very quickly and turn off the power supply, or I might have ended up bald! Of course, I had to throw the cake mix away as it was full of hair.
Thanks, Sarah! Have you ever gone shorter before? This is my third time chopping long hair, so I’ve played quite a bit. There are so many options out there…you might want to consult your hairstylist if you’re ever craving change. It can be an amazing pick-me-up!
That electric whisk situation sounds like my worst nightmare. Glad you acted quickly!
Yes, Britt, I always had short hair and then decided to grow it long at an age when most people cut their hair shorter. My hairdresser said that because my hair is very fine, it would benefit from the additional weight and not frizz as much. Also, by now I have quite a lot of silver hairs on top, so I would look as if I’d turned into an old woman overnight if I chopped my hair short. And, unfortunately for me, I’m allergic to almost everything in standard beauty products and Green People (who I buy most of them from) haven’t yet brought out a hair dye!
Your your hair looks fabulous. Enjoy yourself! But I will miss you:(
Thanks so much, gorgeous. I miss you…I haven’t seen you around! Hope you’re doing well and I’ll see you in October.
Britt Lurve the hair, i remember cutting mine when I was away living in London. My hair was almost down to my waist. I felt the same energy and have never grown it back. Good luck with the break it sounds wonderful and we will be here when you return. Happy hunting.
Down to your waist…wowza! During my early years in college my hair was almost that long, then I chopped it and dyed it red. It was so freeing!
I’ll see what I can hunt down during the hiatus and report back to you guys in October. See ya soon, Kath!
Years ago, I chopped all of my long hair off, too—and learned that the shorter version had no desire to behave in any way I wanted! So it’s been long for a long, long, time, and will probably stay that way for a while. 🙂 Yours looks great short, though!
I’ll be gone for probably 3 weeks myself in September because of busyness again. Enjoy your break!
Oh, no! I guess I’ve been pretty lucky to be able to wear it any which way. The short hair takes a bit more manipulating, but I’m remembering my old tricks. Thanks for your sweet words, hon!
Well, happy break to you too, then! We’ll catch up in October. : )
It feels great to go short, I used to chop mine every five years, could keep up with a short cut here though, so I’ll enjoy yours, vicariously. Enjoy your much deserved break.
Yeah, short hair requires more haircut maintenance so I completely understand. Thanks, love! I’ll see you in a month.
Looking cool Britt, but I’d still have gone for another inch or two! Back in the day shy girls tended to hide behind their hair but that’s not so common now. Funnily enough my hair is shorter than it’s been since I was a child – can’t remain a hippy forever.
Have a great break, use the time wisely, see you in October.
Thanks, Roy! We’ll see how it goes. This was the first step, so there may be more coming off in the future.
Hippy hair can get a little heavy, right? : )
See you soon! (Stay out of trouble.)
Love the haircut! I’m off to get mine cut today, though only about 3 inches or so.
Enjoy your hiatus! I’ll miss reading what’s up in your life, but know you’ll be back with inspiration and stories to share.
Thanks, sweetness. Enjoy your haircut! I’ll miss you but I’ll still be keeping up with your adventures…lurker style.
Gorgeous!!! I really love the haircut.
Enjoy your media vacay. 🙂
Thanks, Allison! Sorry, I wasn’t around to respond to your comment sooner. I’m back in action now!
Love your short hair! I’m one of those gals who’s very self-conscious with short hair, although I secretly dream of chopping it all off into a pixie cut!
I think that taking a break from social media is so important for sustainable creativity. I had intended to take off the summer, but I ended up feeling guilty and visiting my friends anyway. Good luck with your hiatus, and you know I’ll be here when you return!
Thanks, Kate doll! It was weird not to have the mop to hide behind at first, but I am definitely loving the lightness and sassiness.
Social media breaks are essential to our modern day human survival. I appreciate social media as a communication tool, but it can certainly commandeer our free time. Obviously, for us writers, we need all the spare time we can get!
You must feel reborn w/ the haircut. I totally get it. Hope you enjoy bEing the Human Being over the Human Doing this month. =)
Totally reborn…like a fresh start. Love the Human Being over the Human Doing comment! Amazing. : )
=)
Gorgeously cute new haircut. I am envious of people who can grow their hair. Mine gets bored and stops after it gets past my ears. Enjoy your hiatus. I’ve taken a massive one and it was amazing. See you in October. gx
Thanks, sweetness! It took me a while to get it as long as I did. Then, my hair and I got bored together.
Lovely to see you around these parts again. Your writing is my favorite.
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