Good morning rays of sunshine! This morning we’re at week 5 of the shut-down of the world for the pandemic. And I imagine there are people around the world (unless you color your own hair and were able to find your fix box in the aisle at the store …) that are standing in front of the mirror, taking a look at themselves, and probably freaking the h*ll out.
They’re going gray one morning at a time. Without having to do a damn thing about it other than fret or embrace the process. It’s just happening. There’s no way to keep hiding from your hair going gray at 5 weeks.
Nope.
You can hide all you want.
Or you can get ready to take a leap forward.
And run with it.
Or you can stand there undecided, and hope for greener grass on the other side of the pandemic.
Or stay in hiding. That works too. For the time being, that is.
You know what, dears, I know exactly how you feel. I wrote about my 5-week decision to go gray back (read about that here) in the day when it wasn’t for everyone, or caused by the mighty forces of a virus. At that time, it was a decision I made, not one forced upon me.
So maybe I don’t know exactly how you feel?
What I can share with you is that no matter what, no matter how you feel right now, this situation is an opportunity to embrace your real hair color.
And, every morning, thereafter, well … maybe not every morning … you’ll wonder what the heck you’re doing and how will you look at the finish line.
I can say, I’ve been there done that! And I survived. It took 18 months to get back to my original hair length. 18 months. And I cut off the colored hair at 9ish months into the process.
So, eventually, you’ll embrace the you that you had covered up for so many years. It’s odd. It’s a weird feeling, and yet, it’s so freeing. Each sunrise you’ll embrace the freedom of never having to color your hair again. You can enjoy the colors in the skies instead.
And, then, eventually, you’ll get brave and ditch the hairdresser all together by cutting your own hair. You’re the boss of your own hair. YAY!
Maybe, that’s not you, but it’s me. Last week that’s what I did on Sunday morning.
Don’t believe it can be done?
Watch me.
Gray hair has given me the power to be brave and confident that things will turn out. So, I searched YouTube for guidance. ‘Cuz the internet gives me practice power too. Last time I cut my hair I watched a different video.
This time, I watched this one.
Ready, set, let’s cut to the chase!
Enter in my good morning look. By the way, the sweatshirt I’m wearing says, “GOOOOOD MOOORNING!”
And, then, now feeling extra really brave I’ll share the real, in the raw, fully clothed, no makeup on my face with the world. Practice with cutting my hair makes not perfect, but each time I cut my hair I feel more confident. And brave enough to carry on with embracing my gray hair!
Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Practice and Ann-Christine’s hosting Lens-Artists #93 – Morning.
PS – How are you doing this morning? I hope you’re well and safe!
Wow! Looking gorgeous in salt and pepper hair. Same problem here. Lock down up to 3rd May so no other option.
Hi Indira – thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts and your compliment, much appreciated! WOW – You’ll be out of lockdown before us, our Gov has said ours will go until 5/26. I hope you stay safe and well!!
My pleasure, dear. Our is supposed to be up to May 3 but may increase.
Good on you for just do it. I do the grey but not the cut, let it grow for a bit until my bestie says it’s too long and cuts it for me. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen her for three weeks now. Today was a bit of a down day but hey get in and do stuff and not sit and wallow. Glad you are still OK in that mess over there. All is good here x
Thanks for the encouragement Brian! Besties know best – where is your Bestie? Glad you were able to pick your mood up and get on with things. We’re all trying to do that as best we can. Yes, we’re still OK, the mess hasn’t gone away yet. I’m happy to hear all is well in your area. Stay safe and well! Thank you for stopping by here – I always enjoy hearing from you!!
We live between to places, here at mine and at her place which is around 200kms away. We have been together living like this for ten and a bit years. I have my family here and she hers there
I don’t have much hair, and I’ve never worried if some/most/all of it turned gray. I am having to trim it away from my ears (it annoys me) but, so far it’s not a big deal. And, I have a huge supply of baseball caps 🙂
Short hair works very well with baseball caps. And for trimming the hair above ears too. I finally took to wearing a baseball cap last year on our trip to Jamaica. I’m hooked on them, I had no idea what I was missing all these years! PS – I’ve made a few comments on your blog, and when I look back there is a blue border around them, does that mean they go to your spam folder?! Weird – anyhoo just wanted you to know I have stopped by and am enjoying your posts and photos! Take care, stay safe, and well-hydrated 🙂
I’ll have to check the spam bucket, Shelley. WP seems to like to toss you in there. We’re like the blog buddies that were never meant to be. It’s a conspiracy, I tells ya!
Oh my shelley – as we’ve discussed, I too went natural a few years back and am truly enjoying my freedom from dyes and chemicals. But cut my own? YIKES!!! Congrats to your for not only braving the scissors but for sharing the process with us!
Yes, I remember you saying you went natural too. It is freeing and I like the no-chemical side of it as well. My hair has gotten so long, and with the wild curls, it is fairly forgiving if I cut it wrong. Both my daughters cut their own hair too. If I don’t go too short I can usually just pull mine into a ponytail and get away with a crooked cut.
A ponytail reminds me of going to the beach, and relaxing like the photo you shared in your post. Ah … thanks for the smiles and peaceful reminders about when we’ll get back to a new normal. Take care, stay safe, and I hope you get a hole in one next time you’re out on the golf course!
Shelley, your hair is really beautiful, great job cutting and brushing! I love the bunny photos too, sooo cute!! Still have snow too? Yucky! 😂❤️
Thank you, John! I appreciate your feedback. Yes, those bunnies are cute and multiplying. The snow is finally gone. I hope we don’t get anymore!!!!
It’s a bit late for more snow now, may you be snow free!
That was the most fun I’ve had in ages! Watching her, watching you. Just one question … at what point in this process did the rabbit peer in the window, freak and say: “I’m getting the hell outta here, snow or no snow!”
Ach, just jealousy. I have short hair. And no rabbits, and no snow!
Aw, Ellen, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Oh, that rabbit scurries whenever he sees me. He/she, not sure, did hop right up next to our patio window and peek inside at the cats. That was fun to see! Is your hair still grey free naturally? I remember you telling me that one time. Hugs to you, stay well and stay safe!
I’ve been going gray for years, so like you I’m just watching as my peers suddenly embrace what I’ve been doing all along. My hair is too short to cut like you did, but you’ve got this under control. I like the bunny photos. Nicely snapped, both the pics and your hair. 😉
It is interesting to see how people either freak or embrace this round of grey transitions. I’ve seen many people just shave their hair off and they’re instantly transitioned. That’s the fastest route. In retrospect I may have enjoyed that route better. I went for the demarcation line, obviously. Glad I’m through it though! Thank you for your feedback 🙂 Stay safe and well.
One more reply – your post about the marital advice cracked me up. Aunt Ann was smart and so are you for taking her adivce to heart! LOL
My husband and I decided long back we would never dye our hair. He said it is a natural process 🙂 . There is so much freedom never having to worry about grey hairs 🙂 Take care.
You’re right, it’s natural and it is freeing to never have to color. That’s so wonderful that you and your husband shared the journey together! Take care and stay safe and thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts!
Your hair is gorgeous! Sparkling!
I was letting mine go natural and all the color had gone back to normal with a bit of silver shining through, but then my silly daughters decided to get married. I debated with my vanity… and vanity won. The last wedding was last summer, but I did one more coloring this past January since there was a LOT more silver than a few years prior. Funny how that works. Now, only a few months later, it’s saying hello again.
I’ve rediscovered the soft stretchy headband! It both hides the silver right in front of my face so I don’t have to see it when i look in the mirror while washing my hands, and also it keeps my hair from tickling my face while taking a walk so I don’t touch my face. Win win! 😻
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Paula.
I fell into the vanity trap a few times before I finally just decided and committed full-on to go gray. Trust me there were many moments I almost went back to the bottle. Once my gray demarcation hair was long enough to trim off the mismatched colored hair so I wouldn’t be bald looking, I was free of the die and then I let it just grow because heading back to the salon is way too tempting. The looks from the stylists ‘oh, dear, let me rescue you from the silvers’ adds to the temptations. Thus my own mission to cut my own hair.
Yes, you’ve found the win with the stretchy headband!!! When you’re ready to embrace it you’ll know. 🙂 Stay safe and well!!
Great job on your hair. As I said, I wish I had some of it! Our daughter did a good job of cutting her own hair too. Mine is short and doesn’t need it yet.
Thank you, Janet. My hair looks thick because of the curls, it was much thicker 30 years ago 😉 Both of my daughters are cutting their own hair too. They both cut their significant others hair now too. We gotta do what we gotta do, eh? Stay safe and well!
You have such nice hair! Mine is fine and straight so my roots (about 20% gray at this point) make an obvious demarcation from my part. Fortunately, I had my hair highlighted back in late February and I go several months in between so no worries at this point… but my bangs are driving me nuts!
Thank you, Janis. Yes, the dreaded demarcation line, I remember that so well. That’s wonderful that you’re able to go so many months in between. I’ve seen some crazy videos about people cutting their bangs way too short. I don’t recommend cutting them unless you’ve been taught how to do so by someone in the know 😉
Your hair is SOOOOO pretty–and well done on the cut! I’m always so glad to read your posts and see that you’re doing fine. Your tuna sandwich for Easter story made me smile. Not part of the plan, of course, but what is, lately? I guess we’re all having to be pretty flexible with this whole pandemic isolation thing. But you’re right that a silver lining is discovering new ways (or new to me ways) to connect with loved ones. I sure am glad I have this blogging community of friends, like you. Be safe and well, Shelley, and enjoy your new haircut. Doesn’t it always feel so much lighter? Mine is getting long (for me) and so heavy. I can’t wait for a real cut–don’t have your curls, which allow for a bit more wiggle room!
Thank you, Rebecca! Yes, after a cut my hair feels so much lighter and the curls turn bouncy. I don’t know about in your state, but hair salons will be one of the last to reopen for ours. You’re right, not much of what we planned for is happening. A lot that we didn’t plan for, and many surprise moments too. I can’t imagine the change having to home school would add to the day though. I’m thankful for the blogging community too. I have had to step away from posting daily, my introverted self says, “I have little to give right now.” If I didn’t feel that way, I’d be joining you in on the Discover Prompts! I enjoyed those when I first started blogging, it’s a great way to meet more bloggers.
By the way, congrats and way to surpass the 1400 follower mark!! YAY!!!!
Hi Shelley! I’m still resisting the gray, but that’s because I bought three boxes of my color when it was last on sale. When I decide to go gray, it will be with the help of my stylist and her expertise. For now, I only have to worry about growth and if the length of my bangs will drive me crazy. I think I shall have a pony tail by the time this is over, which will be good for yoga and biking riding!
Stay well, safe and happy!
Hi Mary – so nice to hear from you!!! You were a HEAD of the folks that emptied the coloring aisle at the store, eh? Coloring at home was never something I could do. I did enjoy my visits with my hair dresser. I think about her often and hope she’s doing well. Yes, a pony tail for yoga and biking is a good thing. I hope you got out and enjoyed the sunshine and warmer weather this weekend. It’s looking gloomy in time for Monday!
Stay well, safe and happy!!
I color at home because it’s what fits best in my budget, although sometimes results vary. I will need a haircut, but my gal did such a great job with the last one that it’s still looking pretty good.
Yesterday’s weather was glorious…wish we had an entire week of it!
I never tried the coloring at home, I wasn’t that coordinated (says the gal who cuts her own hair??). You’re right, it is definitely more cost effective to do it yourself.
The past weekend was so nice – I hope you got out and rode your bike a lot!
A guy I worked with once said that he wished his hair would turn gray instead of turning loose. Another guy, who was going gray and bald simutaneously, said he used to pull the gray ones out, then he figured “why waste a good one?”
Like Lakshmi said above, it’s a natural process, and natural always wins.
LOL – thanks for sharing, John! Everyone has a perspective on hair that’s worth a share. Randomly one of my long gray hairs just floats off into the wind to greet the sunset. Hair changing over the years is a natural process that wins despite our efforts to hold that back. I hope you and Mary are staying well and healthy and safe!
You are a brave soul cutting your own hair! It looks great. Mine is short and layered and stick straight so I don’t dare mess with it. It is getting too long – too much towards the 70s look. Yikes. But I’m not going anywhere so I’m relying on lots of mousse until a haircut is a possibility. 🙂
It’s easier to be brave with curly hair – it seems more forgiving than straight hair? In our state, salons are going to be opening much later than other businesses. Until the hippies revolt or they go downunder to open shops!
Yes, I think curly hair would be easier too. Salons are opening in a couple of weeks here but with many restrictions (such as no blow drying? – doesn’t make much sense to me).
We haven’t heard when our salons will be able to open up. I find it interesting that our Gov and Secretary, et al., look as though their hair hasn’t grown at all and no appearances of the demarcation lines for going gray? Hmm …
That’s interesting to have no blow drying???? I don’t get that either?
I know. It’s ridiculous. And…obviously some people have access to stylists. I may wait until this straightens out. Local salon owners are having collective fits about the way it is being handled for them. I don’t blame them.
Oh … I agree and don’t get me started on the ridiculousness … I might not stop my rant! 🙂
You have beautiful hair, Shelley! I may have to go nature color for my hair, don’t know I can ever cut my own hair.
I love your courage and the softness of your natural hair color that brings out the light in your eyes. My red/blond hair camouflages the gray strands hiding in it. I wonder if it will eventually turn mousy brown like my mother’s red hair did in her 70s. She used to say she wished she could have gray hair. I can understand why looking at yours. Stay well.
Aw, thank you, JoAnna. My hair is a combination of the grays my mom had and my dad currently has. I do like how natural gray has so many different shades. It’s hard to replicate that with products. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, take care and stay well!
I love the curl in your hair it highlights the different shades in your hair and it looks so healthy ❤
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words of encouragement! I hope you’re well and safe!
Thank you Shelley I am and I hope you are too. Busy reading books to occupy myself.x
Thank you – with nicer weather we’re taking many walks outside to keep our spirits up! What book are you reading now?
hiya well I was given a couple of books Gone by James Patterson and Hard Girls by Martina Cole. Both books a very good read. The weather here cooled back down again. But it’s going to warm up again soon so I can see a couple of walks now again. Xx
I haven’t read either one of those books. I should add them to my Good Reads TBR list. Interesting … our weather has cooled down too. We’re going to be in the 20s at night for a few days. I haven’t washed my winter coat yet! At least the sun does warm things up during the day.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Stay well and safe!
You have such beautiful thick hair. And the color is so nice with a little dark still mixed in. I have a different thought on gray. Gave up coloring about 6 years ago. Gray hair is a crown offered by God who reminds us of our value and our trials we have faced. So wear your crown in pride, it is a pretty one.
Thank you, Anita. It is nice to embrace the gift of gray that God gives us. Yes, that’s one of my favorite passages. 😉 Way to wear your crown in pride too!!
Hi Shelley, I just tackled my bangs for the second time this week. I have no idea what my actual hair colour is. Great creativity with the rabbit and your words. Beautiful layers in your hair. You look very pretty every stage of hair colour. Healthy and a big smile wins every time. 🙂
Hi Erica. Twice in one week? Are you happy with your final cut? My hairdresser taught me how to cut my bangs when I was going through the transition to gray. I’m not keeping bangs right now since that requires extra steps and the potential for heating tools that quickly give gray hair a blondish color that is not natural for me. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your smiles with us – you’re right a big smile wins every time!
Well my highlights and haircut appointment was last Saturday – in the Winter I don’t get it highlighted/cut as I wear a hat from October through April anyway – so there are gray strands in my dirty blonde hair and I need to cut it soon as I don’t want split ends. My hair is long layers, so I’m just nipping off the bottom.
You’re so funny, Shelley. And much more courageous than me. Probably less vain, too. Kudos for embracing the gray! I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to stop coloring my hair. I got my first gray hair at age 30, started coloring my hair about age 40 when the gray threatened to overtake the blonde. I’ve been blonde my whole life. Would I recognize myself in the mirror if I was all gray? Hmm… not ready to try yet. Thanks for the smile.
Hi Shelley, your post is very inspiring. I have been colouring my own hair at home for years now. Every month the regrowth comes through at the roots. When the lockdown hit our area in Melbourne (Aust.) I rang around the local Hairhouse Warehouse Shops that stocked my hair colour dye. All but one had sold out & unlikely to get replacements soon. So I bought 4 tubes, hopefully that will last Me during this lockdown period. If not, I will have to accept becoming grey. I really love your hair, and as my hair is very similar, I am hoping when it happens that it will be like the shade yours is. Loved seeing how you cut your own hair. I may have to do that too. Great post Shelley, thanks. All the best to you and your family in your area during this coronavirus lockdown.
Cool shots.
I have decided not to colour my hair 🙂
I suppose one thing to be thankful for is that I decided to go gray about two years ago. 🙂 Before that I colored my own hair from home. 🙂
You are a brave and beautiful woman!!! I admire you!!! 🙂
LOL! You make me feel so much better. Not so much of a color problem, as a waaay too long issue.I needed a haircut when this whole thing started, but didn’t get around to it and now I’m paying the price. I don’t dare start hacking because I have multiple layers. Hello baseball cap. It’s my new look. You’re beautiful Shelley, you’re rocking this.
Your hair is so long now, Shelley! I’m lucky my strawberry blond hair’s natural highlights blend with my increasingly appearing silver strands. My hair dresser makes house calls and delivers their hair color if they DIY. Nice seeing you, miss your pics at Sunday Stills. Take care!
When my hair grows up I want it to look like your’s! And it’s getting there thanks to lockdown! I can by now pull it back into a teeny little ponytail and I’m not missing having to go for those blonde touch ups at all.
That’s a fun stage when you can actually pull it back and see what’s in store for your look at the end of the journey! I’m like you, I don’t miss going in for touch ups at all. I’m glad to read you’re happy with the choice to embrace the opportunity to let the silvers sparkle! I wish you many more moments of joy as you carry on with the adventure. 🙂
Quite right! I am enjoying the process, and it fits in with my pledge to pare down and simplify where possible.
Aw, thank you for the compliment. One ponytail at a time during lock-down gets us closer to the freedom of no more coloring!
A friend linked me to this particular post when I said I’d decided to let the gray grow in. I’d been playing with the idea for a year or two but kept getting dissuaded by a violently negative reaction from my (ex) hairdresser. Now that we’re in lockdown it was the perfect time for a launch. Don’t know that I’ll be brave enough to cut my own hair but at least when I finally get back to visit my hairdresser it won’t be those two hour appointments anymore. Yay!
Aw, thank you to you and your friend for the link back. I did the gray thing by choice, it wasn’t at a time when many people were jumping on board. I have a hunch that you’ll rock it and enjoy the results too! Hair is just hair, and thank goodness it grows at 1/4″ a month! 😉 YAY for new sparkly beginnings!