It’s Not Just Hair : American Cancer Society Donation 2015 #8or8
Another year, another batch of hair. This picture was taken in the McConnell bathroom, a few days before I packed up and moved out. This is my last selfie as Mrs. McConnell and the last photo I’ll take in that house.
If you follow along on Instagram or we’re friends on Facebook, then you’ve probably noticed a pretty drastic change beyond the divorce. As I embark on a new journey in life, I decided it was time to go ahead and say goodbye to over 10 inches of my hair.
This isn’t the first time I’ve given up my long locks.
In March of 2008 I decided to donate my hair in honor of friends and family. Since my hair grows fairly quickly, I had enough to donate again in October 2009. In July 2010, my hair met the chopping block again. Sadly, I wasn’t able to donate in 2011 or 2012. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I had bleached my hair and colored it various shades of red; starting with super bright red and ending with a deep burgundy. While the bleaching and coloring isn’t the problem, I had double bleached it – twice in one week. So, that pretty much damaged my hair and it took two years for me to grow it out and cut all the damaged parts off; inch by inch.
Finally, last year in February, kiddo and I were able to donate together; this time in honor of my (soon-to-be) ex-husbands aunt who had been battling cancer.
Now, here I am, 2015 with long locks and life changes. I had debated for a while on whether or not I wanted to donate my hair. As my self-esteem dropped significantly over the last few years due to life issues and my weight, my hair was something that gave me a sense of security. I had been talking about donating it for a few months now. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to let it go. It seemed like I was letting go of so much lately.
A week after moving up I decided I had enough. I colored it with the hopes of ‘washing away the grey’ to make myself feel a bit better. All that did was frustrate me and make me realize it’s time to let the hair go. When it gets too long I just can’t do anything with it. It’s curly. It’s heavy. It has a mind of its own.
As she started to cut, it took everything I had to not have a breakdown in her chair. I think she sensed something was going on. We started to talk a bit about the divorce, how there is a step-daughter, how we donated together last year and how life has to continue moving forward.
She mentioned how it was good of me to let go. Letting go of my ‘mom’ hair meant I was ready to face the world with a fresh outlook. I gave up my security. Someone else out there needed it much more than I.
“It’s only hair. It will grow back.” I keep telling myself as tears and hair hit the floor.
But to me, and the person who will receive my locks, it means so much more than that. For that reason I have to push forward.
I’m glad I decided to let go. Not only do I have a new look, I have a new outlook on the days ahead.
Watching those locks fall was very therapeutic.
It’s going to take some time to heal these wounds. But, if I can let go of things that hold me too tight, I know that I can continue forward on the path I’m walking and come out better on the other side.
Is it time for you to update your look? Are you feeling generous? You can help too by donating your 8 inches or more to Pantene and their Beautiful Lengths program which partners with the American Cancer Society to provide wigs to those who have lost their hair due to cancer.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsor post. This is just something I’ve been doing for quite a few years now and it’s near and dear to my heart. 🙂
I think that is awesome. My hair is long, but if I cut off that much, I would have a boy haircut, which I don’t want – so I have never donated. I love that you did this 🙂
I think donating hair like this is such an amazing gift. We may feel odd about losing so much of our hair to a cut, but there are people out there who lose it all ON TOP of battling a deadly disease. Good for you!
Such a wonderful and inspiring post! Thanks for sharing and glad that we all can help some how 🙂
I always love to see people giving back like this. I am so proud of you for donating your hair! I should let mine grow out longer so I can donate it.
I’ve done this a couple of times and I love doing it! I always figure the hair will grow back, but there are others that need it more and since I’m able to grow long hair I think it’s a great way to donate!
What a generous donation! I can see how it would take some getting used to. It might be refreshing to have a new look to experiment with.
This is a great cause, kudos to you for helping someone else feel special.
I think it’s amazing that you donated your hair!! I would love to do that some day!!
I empathize with you. I know how it feels and sometimes it just crushes us to the ground. Keep your chin up and hang on to your faith. Everything will turn out just fine. Hugs!
This is truly an incredible gift. This is such a beautiful way to help support those with cancer.
We are saving our hair too to donate to an organization that gives hair to cancer patients. Kudos to you!
I love to hear this!
Such an amazing cause, I would love to donate my hair too when is long enough. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for your donations. I can say that those who benefit from these donations appreciate them so much. My aunt had cancer and her real hair wig made her feel so much better because it looked and felt real, not plasticy. You are doing a wonderful thing here, thank you again.
What you did is totally awesome. My hair is not that long yet, but I would love to donate it too if it gets a little longer like yours.
That is such an awesome way to donate to the American Cancer Society! I love that you did this!
What a great donation. I cannot donate as I color and bleach my hair but cancer is something big in my family and I always try to give back.
My Daughter has donated her hair a few times now. Her friend and her grow it out and then cut it.
Wonderful! Love hearing that.
I’m actually growing out my hair so that I can donate it. I already cut it off a few months back..I think donating hair is great! I have red hair, so I’m always happy to donate it.
That is awesome! I figure mine should be ready to donate again around the end of 2016 to about March of 2017. It usually takes a good 12-16 months to be long enough.
What a beautiful donation! I love to see people give their beautiful locs to someone who will actually appreciate it!
Thank you Kiwi, I appreciate that.
Now this is an incredible and brave gift to give!!! I know it’s just hair but ughhhh I’m scared to ever cut mine!
Thank you! Trust me, I know exactly where you are coming from. I have to wrestle with my self for quite some time before I am brave enough to cut it. I just remember my little cousin battling brain cancer at 4 years-old and having her head shaved when they operated on her head to try and remove the tumors. If she can be brave and battle that – still , 8 years later, then I can surly give up my hair 😉 That helps me to see that I can do it and it will grow back!
I cut my hair last week and it was long! Wish I knew about this, what an amazing initiative.
That is so awesome that you did that. Your hair looks really nice too after cutting as well. =)
That is truly a beautiful thing that you can do for yourself and others. I like the short look!
Thank you Krystal!
I think donating hair like this is such a great gift. We may feel weird about losing so much of our hair to a cut, but there are people out there who lose it all…
My hair has never grown past my shoulders for some odd reason, so I could never donate my hair. However, I’ve always admired people who do this!