Hello all,
This is my first, concerted effort to grow out my facial hair. After reviewing posts on this site, I decided to join the board in hopes you guys thwart me from caving and shaving! I have wanted to sport facial hair for well over a decade, but military duty and career prevented. I never made it past 21 days (four years ago at then-age 26). When I did make it to that point, I very much liked the look. My problem has been just GETTING to that point.
I am currently only eight days in, but have the opportunity this time to go for up to 35 days. My very last drill in the reserves is at the end of this month and then I take a bow once and for all (after two deployments and throwing a major jolt in my regular profession). If I love the beard look, I may defy all odds and keep the look permanently. I love the look and this is something I have always wanted to do. I think this is something that every man ought to do once in life. Anything after 21 days will be unchartered territory me, and after next month, I can grow and keep the look if I desire.
At any rate, I am traveling on business this week and just hyper-aware and hyper self conscious of how I look (ridiculous, I think!). Luckily, I am meeting with nobody who knows me, so perhaps they think I just keep a stubble beard or something. To me, I look terribly unprofessional and unsightly, but remain anxious for how I will look if I don't do anything stupid in the interim. After this week, I leave for a week-long vacation out of country, which will put me at 21 days by the time I return to work. I am most concerned about that Monday morning -- shaving! God willing, I will not. I work in an extremely conservative workplace. They saw my 4 days growth on Friday of last week and the girls wanted me to stick with it, which was really my first subtle encouragement (and needed).
I do have some questions for you guys:
Do you have certain "plateau" days when you just start growing your beard -- where you just know that the beard just looks massively better on that particular "milestone" day? For me, days 11 and 17 are where I remember seeing the biggest improvement. (I never went beyond 21 days before)
Do you obsess over the beard when it is growing in? I am, and I have no idea why. It is driving me crazy, really, because I would rather not be. I am currently looking in a mirror several times a day, which seems ridiculous. This must be because I am self conscious about what others think of me doing this.
How long did it take you for your identity (as a bearded man) change? In other words, at what point do you consider yourself "bearded" and not obsess/think about it commonly?! I *never* made it to that point.
How do you feel about beards making you look older?
Thanks everyone. Hopefully you help me stick with it.
Brint in TX.
This is my first, concerted effort to grow out my facial hair. After reviewing posts on this site, I decided to join the board in hopes you guys thwart me from caving and shaving! I have wanted to sport facial hair for well over a decade, but military duty and career prevented. I never made it past 21 days (four years ago at then-age 26). When I did make it to that point, I very much liked the look. My problem has been just GETTING to that point.
I am currently only eight days in, but have the opportunity this time to go for up to 35 days. My very last drill in the reserves is at the end of this month and then I take a bow once and for all (after two deployments and throwing a major jolt in my regular profession). If I love the beard look, I may defy all odds and keep the look permanently. I love the look and this is something I have always wanted to do. I think this is something that every man ought to do once in life. Anything after 21 days will be unchartered territory me, and after next month, I can grow and keep the look if I desire.
At any rate, I am traveling on business this week and just hyper-aware and hyper self conscious of how I look (ridiculous, I think!). Luckily, I am meeting with nobody who knows me, so perhaps they think I just keep a stubble beard or something. To me, I look terribly unprofessional and unsightly, but remain anxious for how I will look if I don't do anything stupid in the interim. After this week, I leave for a week-long vacation out of country, which will put me at 21 days by the time I return to work. I am most concerned about that Monday morning -- shaving! God willing, I will not. I work in an extremely conservative workplace. They saw my 4 days growth on Friday of last week and the girls wanted me to stick with it, which was really my first subtle encouragement (and needed).
I do have some questions for you guys:
Do you have certain "plateau" days when you just start growing your beard -- where you just know that the beard just looks massively better on that particular "milestone" day? For me, days 11 and 17 are where I remember seeing the biggest improvement. (I never went beyond 21 days before)
Do you obsess over the beard when it is growing in? I am, and I have no idea why. It is driving me crazy, really, because I would rather not be. I am currently looking in a mirror several times a day, which seems ridiculous. This must be because I am self conscious about what others think of me doing this.
How long did it take you for your identity (as a bearded man) change? In other words, at what point do you consider yourself "bearded" and not obsess/think about it commonly?! I *never* made it to that point.
How do you feel about beards making you look older?
Thanks everyone. Hopefully you help me stick with it.
Brint in TX.
. As a recent arrival myself
I personally don't have much in the way of wisdom to dispense, but there are those among us who have a wealth of beard growing experience and advice to
hand. I can relate to the self-consciousness you mention, as I am only a few weeks into growing my beard out and work in a customer-facing environment In my
experience it passes fairly quickly, just give yourself (and colleagues) more time to get used to the new bearded you. I used to shave very irregularly,
sometimes every day, sometimes a week between shaves, and I only really got self-conscious about my beard/stubble when I was deliberately NOT shaving rather
than just being lazy. I think it just takes some getting used to. And I reckon people meeting you for the first time will as you suggest most likely assume
you keep some growth full-time.
