318/365 – people to thank who have had an impact on me. I’m a bit vain. Yes, I said a bit 😉 It took a lot and a long time to get there but yeah, obsessed with my appearance as an adult is all I can remember. I definitely know it’s because of the ugly duckling syndrome that I endured as a child and I’m definitely not complaining these days – aren’t I subtle about being the swan today? LOL But seriously, I have always worried about how I present myself to others and anything to draw a little attention to myself as an adult – in a good way – I did as I was used to drawing attention as a child for the wrong reasons. Just before the new millennium, I decided to go blonde. Those of you who know me witnessed that look for a good decade and a half. I was nervous in the beginning – caramel skinned brown guy going blonde but I went for it and well, strangely it worked for me! I changed shades – sometimes silver (well before it was a thing), sometimes platinum, sometimes ash – but I kept the blonde as my signature look. In my 49th year (just under two years ago), I got tired of the trips to the hairdresser for maintenance. I don’t recall making a conscious effort but just thought I’d let it grow out to see what it looked like. I cut it short to help the process. I hated it. I thought it aged me. I was forgetting that chronologically, I had already aged. I remember to this day when the last bit of blonde was cut off the tips and I was fully grey. Yes, I had gotten used to the grey but I wasn’t happy to have to give up on my wilder ways – I supposed I thought grey meant maturing in personality too, thankfully it didn’t mean that! The people around me though were great for my ego. Not a single person told me that grey did not suit me. I received and still do to this day how my grey flatters me and I need this as on a subconscious level, I wanted to be accepted by others for my appearance and I can admit that. Presently, I have grown out my hair on a dare and have a full on man-bun or a mess of grey curls – sometimes looking like that crazy uncle, or that eccentric, crazy man down the block so I can’t wait to shear it down but I have to thank each and every person who has complimented me on this grey mane. I know they say that men can rock the grey but I think you also have to accept the grey. Each of you has made me accept it and allowed me to move into my 50s with dignity and not trying to look like I was desperately trying to hang on to my youth by continuing to dye it blonde. Thanks for the love!
randysangha 