The "No End Goal" Thread: Enjoying the Journey

[vampyyri]

I apologize if a thread like this already exists, mods feel free to merge this one if it already does. :couch:

So I'm noticing a lack of "goal-less" threads on here, and a whole lot of going from mile-marker to mile-marker/very goal-oriented discussion. I will admit, this thread was inspired by the current restructuring discussion (https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=156025) going on for the goal threads. But for me personally, while I do enjoy "graduating" to the next thread and milestone, I also feel like I don't belong because I don't have an end goal and just kind of mosey on through them or lurk. It's a bit of imposter syndrome in a way, being the odd one out.

I'm sure there's at least a few people out there who are also growing their hair out and don't really have an end goal in mind.

Basically, my end goal is "happy". I really don't know where that is, but I'll know it when I get there :D

Some questions to hopefully spur a bit of discussion:
1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
6. Do you trim your hair?
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

Happy growing (or not growing, you do you!) everyone :flowers:

[vampyyri]

To answer my own questions:

What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
July of 2022, I was chopping my once FTL hair one mile marker at a time after a massive shed. I got to WL and figured I'd let someone else do it to get the rest of my thinned ends off. Currently at WL stretched, a bit shorter with my natural wave.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I missed the length and the buns that I used to do, mostly.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, I've actually been really enjoying the growing journey. When I joined here I was at WL, and never experienced healthy hair at a shorter length.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Probably around HL? Maybe BCL? I remember really loving those lengths in the past. This time around, who knows though. I did enjoy the wow-factor of having TBL/CL too. So somewhere in the HL-CL range maybe. FTL was a nuisance and I always trimmed back up to CL.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length, and then trimming up to where my hemline looks healthy. So both :p currently a bit "meh" since I'm just letting it do it's own thing.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Not since my big chop, and not until next year because I'm doing the no trimming challenge this year. I want to grow my hair out and have the length to figure out what to do next whether it be continuing to grow or trimming.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
At every stage since APL it has changed a little bit. I'm trying to maintain my newfound 2c texture and have been learning as I go by skimming through threads to learn new techniques.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Sort of, I really enjoy it! Especially with my texture that I've fully embraced and stopped trying to fight like I was ever since puberty changed it from 1a to 2c.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It definitely makes me happy, and I enjoy the ritual of taking care of it. I love the self care aspect of it and really take my time with it.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'm probably in the change it up group. I can see myself reaching something like CL and chopping back up to HL and growing it back out to enjoy those lengths all over again.

[Ylva]

Hey, I think this is a fitting place for me right now! :waving: I've had my goal length set to "metal" for a good while now. What that means changes from time to time, but at this point in time, it means a soon-to-come big chop. :lol:

I at least cannot recall a thread similar to this from before.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
When I first started growing out my hair purposefully, it was hip-length. That was, I think, 2017, but it had been at that length for many years already.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I knew it was something quite easy for me to achieve as I'd always had relatively long hair "by accident" and without trying, so I wanted to see if it could become something really special and extreme. Bit of a dumb reason, really!

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I'm not sure. The entire time I've been purposefully growing out, I've had significant damage in my hair, so everything has always felt like a bit of a pain.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Hmmm! I'm about to cut back to my "default length", which is hip, where I also started growing back in the days, so I think that may be the closest thing to my hair's sweet spot. In the past, it would always end up hovering somewhere around there no matter what I did to it.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Right now, thickness! About to get rid of a whole bunch of length!

6. Do you trim your hair?
I guess about twice a year on average right now. My mom has been doing it for me the past few years.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yeah, but no meaningful changes have taken place in years now.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes - but more the ideology behind it rather than the hair itself. My having long hair represents some experiences in my life that greatly contributed to the formation of my current personality. Having long natural hair fits that ideology best, so that's what I'm going for right now.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Although I can't always bother with it, I enjoy the washing process. It's a meditative thing, but not as much as it used to be now that I always wash my hair upside down. :D Other than that, I don't really "care" for it, just treat it reasonably gently. Attempting to create hairstyles usually results in nothing but frustration - I have zero patience for that!

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I think I will be exploring terminal length in the future. Other than that, I don't know. I'll always have my default length to go back to if I need to!

[Zesty]

I love this idea, and it's fun to read your responses! I don't think I quite belong here because while I don't have a goal, I'm not growing anymore, and I don't feel like I'm on a "journey," but I think non-goal-oriented threads are a great idea.

[SandyBottom]

What a good idea! My current goal is KL but honestly not sure of my plans once I achieve it, so I'm going to chime in here.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I've always had long hair, but I started to make a concentrated effort in 2017 at TBL 34". It had been longer in the past, CL or so.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I had a lot going on in life and my hair was suffering as well. I was also turning 50 and figured I'd try to fix this mess while I still had a chance.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
YES!

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I'm picturing between KL and upper calf. Stretched, it's almost at KL now and I'm quite comfortable with it. I've never had it that long though.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Hmm...I'm not sure I'm MORE interested in one over the other. Right now I'm quite interested in both.

6. Do you trim your hair?
I've been self trimming/chopping since around 2016 or 2017. Currently doing monthly micro trimming.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yeah, less shampoo and less often. I also don't use it on the length anymore. I'm more hesitant to experiment. Now I'll ask myself, "What are you hoping to accomplish by trying this? What are the risks? Are you willing to take that risk with your hair?"

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Absolutely! Not just looks, but long hair takes patience and dedication. My hair has helped me eat healthier too.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Oh I very much enjoy it! It's the ultimate pampering for me!

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I think I'll find one length I like.

[Bat]

I apologize if a thread like this already exists, mods feel free to merge this one if it already does. :couch:

So I'm noticing a lack of "goal-less" threads on here, and a whole lot of going from mile-marker to mile-marker/very goal-oriented discussion. I will admit, this thread was inspired by the current restructuring discussion (https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=156025) going on for the goal threads. But for me personally, while I do enjoy "graduating" to the next thread and milestone, I also feel like I don't belong because I don't have an end goal and just kind of mosey on through them or lurk. It's a bit of imposter syndrome in a way, being the odd one out.

I'm sure there's at least a few people out there who are also growing their hair out and don't really have an end goal in mind.

Basically, my end goal is "happy". I really don't know where that is, but I'll know it when I get there :D

Some questions to hopefully spur a bit of discussion:
1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
6. Do you trim your hair?
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

Happy growing (or not growing, you do you!) everyone :flowers:

I already made a thread like this called buzz to floor+ https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=155671

I'm not opposed to merging the one I made into this so we don't have 2 all length threads, or add this to resources and take out the all lengths one
we don't want another repeat of the reconstruction discussion

[Braided Lady]

Bat, you made a thread specifically for everyone. This is a thread specifically for certain people. Like all the milestone threads, everyone can join in, but some of us have similar goals in our lack of goals, and this is a place to talk more about that, particularly

[Bat]

Bat, you made a thread specifically for everyone. This is a thread specifically for certain people. Like all the milestone threads, everyone can join in, but some of us have similar goals in our lack of goals, and this is a place to talk more about that, particularly
I guess I'll see what happens I've already asked to merge all lengths into this one so it's up to the mods now

My goal fluctuates all the time having no goal would do me some good

[Bat]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Ear length pixie 2020

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
To feel more attractive and I've always wanted Sephiroth Hair

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I love the throught of it but the reality is very hard! There's reasons why I'm even shorter than my starting point three years later

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I wanted it to knee then hip then mid thigh, floor terminal etc I can't choose! But I think hip would be my sweet spot I've never had hair that long, the longest was roughly apl at 23 inches LHC style

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length and also meh, my hairs pretty much a low end iii so thickness isn't an issue

6. Do you trim your hair?
Trim buzz bald with a disposable razor I've done it all now I'll be keeping back and sides 3 guard buzz but leaving the top to grow, once I get to a one length bob ( not sure which bob chin or shoulder) then I'll give up scissors I'd like to do no trims 2025)

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Not really but I do quite like conditioner only

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes! But I keep sabotaging myself with bleach and dyed

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It makes me happy maybe that will change when it gets longer and longer

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'd keep going really until I find it too hard to look after or I get really bad headaches

[The Lizard Wife]

Basically, my end goal is "happy". I really don't know where that is, but I'll know it when I get there :D

This, so much! I don't know what my goal is more specifically than to find the length where my hair and I can be in harmony rather than in a constant battle of wills that I always lose.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I started this journey, with intentions of Succeeding, back when I was lurking on LHC vicariously through a friend. Even with so much distance removed everyone in this community made me feel nostalgic for long hair and inspired to try again. I started January 2016 when I decided no more maintaining of my pixie.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I've always wanted long princess hair, and thanks to lurking vicariously I found that hair toys were pretty. My friend told me that even I could successfully bun my hair one day, and I laughed at her, but jokes on me she was right.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I enjoy the good days when I'm having success (can put my hair up without pain and use my pretty toys). I am weathering the rest with patience because this is really the best option.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
My journey so far has been a wildly switch-backing mountain road, so I haven't yet gotten past waist. (Typical "long hair" pre-LHC was probably in the APL to BSL range, and likely closer to APL.) I know my sweet spot is definitely not waist or above. Classic maybe??? At that point it'd probably be long enough that I could cut in a lot of taper to help me out....

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length! I'm too blessed with thickness, I need lots of length to get a comfy length-to-thickness ratio.

6. Do you trim your hair?
I chop drastically rather than trim, and haven't since whacking the canopy to the same length as the undercut last May, when the undercut was getting to APL. I am also blessed with having to deliberately strategize to get fairy-tailing rather than having to trim to keep blunt ends, so I have a lot of incentive to resist trimming.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I decided to abruptly start water-only at the same time I stopped trimming the pixie because why not, which didn't work because of our water, and have experimented now and again as the fancy strikes me. My hair will honestly probably tolerate whatever, it's trying to find the ideal for my skin that's the real motivator.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
:shrug:

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
If I had to take care of it in a society-approved way, it would be an impossible chore. Finding a comfy sleep braid, stretching washes, and being too tired to care if my hair looks "correct" makes it a manageable chore. Wait, does buying too many hair sticks to treat myself count as taking care of one's hair?? Because if yes, then taking care of my hair makes me very happy.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I expect I'll have a "sweet range," where I'll let it go until it bothers me and then chop it back to whatever milestone is the start of the sweet spot, then ignore it for a while again until I want another chop. I have a tendency to fancy things like going from long straight to pixie or from pixie to "wow I wish my hair was instantly at classic" or "it would be strategic of me to try an undercut", but maybe that impulse will fade once I actually reach a happy spot with my hair, since I probably change things up so drastically because I am unhappy.

[Braided Lady]

I'll just answer a few of the questions. My 'goal' is classic/ midthigh, but that's just a placeholder goal in my mind, even though I had it before I joined LHC. I have had long hair(around my goal length) for years and years, but cut short, for me, to shoulder maybe 2018/19. Not sad I did it, but I quickly decided I liked long hair better, so I'm just growing out right now. My approximate plan is to maintain at my goal for a couple small trims, make sure I'm happy with the hemline, then keep growing until I decide it's too long, and cut back to wherever I remember being happiest with it.
I don't really care about the thickness, but I don't want really thin ends, and since trimming is a bother that I don't get around to often I will try and pick points to maintain at for short whiles to convince myself to keep the split ends in check and not feel like I'm losing lots of length. Currently I get my mom to trim my hair every year/ year and a half or so, out of laziness mostly. Last trim I asked for an inch off, and she took about 1.5, but I trust her to know how much needs cut and to make it look decent, and it's just a small amount of hair in the end, so I don't worry if she cuts off a bit more than I wanted because it will be so long since I get it cut again, and it probably needed it.

[C_Bookworm]

What a lovely idea! I’m not *quite* here yet, but I believe I am getting close. I am enjoying reading about everyone’s processes and mindsets.

[yeshuasdaughter]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

Absolutely Bald with peach fuzz. In 2021.


2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I lost it all, five times, due to chemo and radiation. It was a very traumatic experience. I don't want to ever have short hair again.


3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Oh yes, very much.


4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

Somewhere between my belly button and my tail bone. Yes I've had my hair that length, long ago, and I liked it a lot.


5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

Length.


6. Do you trim your hair?

Yes. I cut off my chemo curls.


7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Not really. If anything I got a little annoyed that people were pressuring me to stop washing my hair with baking soda. When I had been doing it for many many years. Maybe twenty? And it never damaged my hair.


8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

Yes. So much so.


9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

I would cry, trying to pick knots out of my chemo curls. I had 4c unbrushable hair. It was awful. But I didn't want to cut it until the healthy, normal hair was to my shoulder blades. Now that I've cut off the chemo curls, I am so happy. The brush just slips through, and washing my hair is a breeze.


10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I don't know. I just want long hair, and to enjoy it for a very long time.

[Nefcerka]

I really love the idea for this thread, vampyyri! I think that "hair goals" change in time for most of us, they are hardly fixed in stone. IMHO most of us could belong here.
The moderator Chromis mentioned a "cheese length thread" in some other thread, and while I know it was a joke (I liked it), this, your thread, is in my mind "the" cheese length thread - because it´s an all-inclusive and a happy place. :cheese:
You made me think about my goal and its achieve-ability. Upon finding LHC it took about three seconds (or a day, more like) to make me want to grow to terminal. But I don´t know where that is, if I will be able to achieve it, and neither do I think I would maintain it there if it was very long. I would probably cut back from terminal to shorter length at some point. I have not considered all this before you posted this thread, so thank you, vampyyri.
And because I love answering a set of questions, here I go:

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I had both long and short hair in the past, but the shortest was a pixie with an undercut exactly in May four years ago. I didn´t like it and I kept growing with micro-trims since then.
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I always preferred longer hair on me.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes. I joined LHC just before I was about to cut shorter, and I am so glad I didn´t - I like my LHC starting point of waist. I never liked the stage of growing from shoulder to mid-back length.
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I would very much like to hover between a classic and knee length, if I´m lucky. Never had longer than hip length hair.
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
At the moment, I´m very interested in length. With my barely "ii" and more like "i" thickness, I cannot hope for much in that regard.
6. Do you trim your hair?
No, I´m in a no-trimming club. Last time I trimmed was before LHC, in January this year, and I plan on going without trims at least till classic.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yes. CWC is working amazingly. I also just tried the scalp-only wash and loved it too.
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Not a big, in the sense of the only important part, but I like it, yes.
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
After finding LHC, it makes me incredibly happy. I wasn´t always happy with my hair before.
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
As I said before, hair goals change, for some more often, for some less. I don´t know what life will bring, so I don´t yet know what´s in store for my hair either.

[Bri-Chan]

This thread is for me too!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
When I decided I wanted longer hair I was around mid back, late 2018.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I just dyed my hair black (from blue) but at that length + a normal color my hair felt boring.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, I do for sure!

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I don't know? Maybe between hip and tbl (7 inches span). Around classic I always can't stand it anymore (both the times I was there) and before hip seems too short for the look I want at the moment. I've had my hair between hip and classic from early 2020 to a few weeks ago, then I chopped.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
None of these, I'm more interested in its health and appereance more in general.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, usually twice a year.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Slightly but yes. I wear it up more and I have understood I need waaaay more conditioner.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, it's very important to me both for my look and for a kind of emotional connection to it.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It's a chore between wash days, but I really enjoy the whole process of washing.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'me more likely to try different lengths, I get bored when my hair looks the same for years.

[paulownia]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Probably chin length ;)
It was 2009 and I decided to grow my hair, it was an act of rebellion against short hair family tradition. I was about to move from my homeland to Sweden and get married at this time - many important decisions ;)


2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I always had short hair and longed for long:cool:

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, I do.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Somewhere between mid back and waist.
Never had hair this long.


5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Thickness and texture :)

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, and still too often I guess :p

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
A bit but not much. I'm buying less products and I wear a braid more often.
I'm not into hairtoys since most buns just holds 5 minutes and then fell apart.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Definitely.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
I love taking care of my hair and wash day is always making me happy.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I probably stick to one length if I ever get there:p

[yvainee]

I really like this idea, I also don't know my goal yet!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Hmm it's hard to say when exactly I decided to grow it long but my last major cut was a chin length bob three years ago.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I've always had a fascination with long hair, my biggest inspiration were historical tv shows and fantasy inspired cosplays although most of those styles are wigs/extensions. When I was younger I found long hair really boring but I'm kind of the opposite now where I'm just bored of the different trends of haircuts and I just want to leave it as it is.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I'm starting to enjoy it more! My hair is about BSL right now and I'm starting to experiment with some updos etc. The only thing that's bothering me right now is that it's a little bit uneven and I have some short layers in the front from an at home haircut in November... :D I don't want to go to a hairdresser though and have them cut off too much or cut in more layers to even it out so.. yeah. Also I feel like my hair is kind of "boring" right now, as someone who used to have many different cuts and colours in the past. I want it to be longer than average so it looks "special" again but I know that probably sounds stupid haha.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I had waist length hair when I was a teenager and that's my "goal" for now I think. To me having hair that covers your boobs is a big milestone :D

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Both. My hair is doing ok right now in terms of thickness although the ends are still a little thinned out due to my hair loss and also the already mentioned uneven cut. But I'm making it work for now.

6. Do you trim your hair?
I used to and I was usually good at it until I did the bigger chop in November. I've sworn off the scissors for now so we'll see how long I last.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I only just joined!

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Kind of? I do invest a lot of time into taking care of it/researching new hair care methods just because I think it's fun. In terms of my looks though I don't think it's long enough yet to be a big part of that.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It makes me happy! The only times it gets frustrating is when I experienced excess hair loss but thankfully I don't right now. The main reason I want long hair besides looks is because I like taking care of it brushing it, braiding it etc. If it ever became more of a chore to me or annoying I would probably cut it.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
The latter probably? I've never had really long hair which is why it's hard for me to say which length I will like the most on myself.

[vampyyri]

Wow, I didn't know there were so many people in the same boat :lol: Hello everyone! :flowers: I've been really enjoying reading all of these responses, there's so many stories and reasons for growing, I love that.

I'm glad that I could find a niche that so many of us were lacking! Lots of us seem to be growing around here, but it's really good to know I'm not alone in the "X Length to Happy" mentality :D

[embee]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

Back in about 1989 I had a short "boy cut".

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I no longer had money to spend at a salon and my hair requires frequent trims to look presentable at short length (i.e. no curl or wave whatsoever).

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Yes, although there were times it was very distressing. I hated having hair in my face and the mullet is not a good style for me! :D

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

Once I started growing it, I just let it grow, no trims, no cuts, nothing. I had about gone to classic when I gave it a chop of about 6-8 inches. What a mistake that was, blunt ends that would *not* go into any updo at all. :( I grew it back to classic ASAP.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

I'm not "meh" but it is what it is. Genetics can't be beaten. At present I want to regrow what I lost in a big illness related shed in Jan 2021.

6. Do you trim your hair?

No.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Yes. I used to wash/condition every few days but now I'm NW/SO with occasional scalp rinses.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

I'm not sure what that means. I certainly feel more comfortable with my hair long, and I love being able to put it up several different ways.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

Taking care of my hair *was* a nuisance: frequent trips to the salon when short, or long wet drippy cold hair several times a week in winter when long. Now it is no trouble at all.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I hope to make it back to classic before I die of old age! ;) AFAIK that is terminal for me.

[calmyogi]

It has been so long since I posted. These questions looked fun though. :)

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Just past shoulder length back in 2013 when I jointed LHC.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I have always wanted long hair but every time I tried to grow it past bra strap length it would usually annoy me because I didn't know how to put it up and it would not be that healthy.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, but these days I get busy sometimes and don't think about it. Lately I have done this a lot and one day I will take my hair down and realized it grew a few more inches.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I think my sweet spot will be classic length. I will admit my original goal was mid thigh or knee length, but by the time my hair reached TBL it became more work and I have changed my mind. I think just a few more inches will be my happy spot.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length, but I have noticed my hair has lost thickness in the last year or so if I could do anything to gain more thickness I would not mind. I am not sure if that is normal when it get longer, to thin out a bit. I was going to search around on here to see if I can find anything about it.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, I have been doing it myself for the last few years. When I stopped going to salons and doing it myself is when I really started to gain length.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
MANY times. Currently I wash it about every 2-3 days. Herbal Essences hello hydration shampoo or Herbal Essences Clarifying tea tree shampoo, Herbal Essences hello hydration conditioner, Aveda nutriplnish deep moisture treatment cream on my hair while it sopping wet, then plop. I have also been using the Aveda nutriplenish deep moisture masque a couples of times a month (should be more though >_<).

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Surprisingly yes.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Most of the time, but sometimes it does feel like a chore. However, it does not bother me at this point in my life to where I would cut it off for anything.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
My goal has always been to grow so I think I will land on my current goal of classic length and be happy with that.

[KokoroDragon]

I love this thread idea! I have my current goal set to CL, but it's not really my end goal. I guess I chose CL just to have an arbitrary goal? Anyway, once I reach CL I plan to grow for however long I feel like it, and that seems pretty goal-less to me!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
In December 2019 I chopped my hair to a little past shoulder to get rid of damage. I've been growing with no trims ever since.
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
My whole life I've gone from growing my hair to getting frustrated with taking care of it and doing a big chop, then regretting it. While I enjoy having low-maintenance hair, I feel most myself with long hair.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I have been enjoying the process, though I don't know if I would ever want to do it again.
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
My hair is currently the longest it's ever been (almost CL). My sweet spot is long enough to comfortably wear a stick bun every day but not so long that it becomes a nuisance. If I had to guess I'd say probably somewhere between classic and fingertip, maybe knee.
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I'm feeling pretty meh right now, though I am working on gaining length.
6. Do you trim your hair?
I haven't trimmed since my big chop in 2019, but I likely will at some point, if just to clean up my ends.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Oh yes! I've experimented with NW/SO, shampoo bars, and am currently using drugstore products. How I handle my hair has also changed with length.
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, I think so. Having long hair helps me feel comfortable, and I would imagine if I lost my hair it would be a big deal for me.
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It depends on the day. Sometimes I love taking care of it, and sometimes I don't have the energy to do anything but throw it up and forget it.
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
Knowing my aversion to scissors, I'm likely to find a length range that's comfortable and trim to the shortest part of the range once I reach the longest part. Like, maybe a once-per-year chop to maintain. That is, if I don't end up happy at terminal. Then I wouldn't have to trim ever!

[Braided Lady]

Wow, I didn't know there were so many people in the same boat :lol: Hello everyone! :flowers: I've been really enjoying reading all of these responses, there's so many stories and reasons for growing, I love that.

I'm glad that I could find a niche that so many of us were lacking! Lots of us seem to be growing around here, but it's really good to know I'm not alone in the "X Length to Happy" mentality :D

Me too! I voted in the length and goal length polls, but I was having trouble with the goal length pall because it was asking what's the current goal length, has it changed, etc, and I wanted an option for something like 'three goals at once, final one unknown'. I'm glad to see other people feel this way too

[mochichichi]

I had a bit of debate with myself whether I want to join in, but I think it makes sense. Enjoying my hair at all stages has been important to me throughout my journey, resulting in probably slower progress than others. I have my goal length set to terminal, but I don't really mean my actual terminal. I talked about this at some point in another thread, but my goal length is "blunt terminal." I want to keep growing until I can't maintain a blunt hemline... I think. No idea when that will be, so I'm just enjoying my hair until I don't anymore. If my hair becomes a chore more than an indulgence at some point I'll have to seriously consider a chop and maintain.


1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I had a chop up to my chin in 2012 or so, I hated it so much I've been growing it ever since.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I didn't like short hair, and I've always wanted really long hair--I loved seeing girls with long hair when I was a kid.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes! I love growing my hair. It's been important to me throughout my journey that I enjoy my hair where it's at, and I haven't felt the urge to cut it off or anything yet.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I would really love to be able to get to calf with a hemline that satisfies me. That would be amazing. Before the chop my hair was around shoulder/APL, so for most of my journey my hair has been the longest it's ever been. In terms of care, I have no idea where the "sweet spot" might be. I haven't encountered a lot of difficulty with my hair at any length so far. I've mostly enjoyed it more and more as it's grown. I just hit classic at the end of last month though, and I hear it's a common milestone to run into problems getting past, so that may change soon.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I am interested in gaining length but not at the expense of thickness. Some years ago, I don't remember when but when I was in the waist/hip range, I went for my yearly trim and decided I would finally get rid of my layers. My mom had pressured me into getting them when I was in high school but I never wanted them, and I felt they were finally long enough that I wouldn't cry about the length loss. I had them cut up to wherever the shortest layer was--I think I ended up losing about 5 or 6 inches, maybe a bit more. That was when I really started enjoying my hair, it was a lot easier to braid and do fun things with without the layers.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes. I have gotten approximately yearly trims at a salon for a while now, I usually lose 2-3 inches. Starting this year I'm going to attempt trimming myself--both to hopefully retain more length, save a bit, and just have more control over the whole event.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yes! I lurked for a long time (like 5+ years) before I made my account, so a lot of the things that I started doing were because of LHC even though my account is only a year or so old. I stretched washes to 1 week, started finger detangling before brushing, and most recently started wearing a sleep bonnet.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Kind of. It's important to me, but I have a lot of things that are important to me.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It makes me happy. Taking care of my hair is one of my major selfcare routines, and washing is a big soothing thing for me.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I think when I find the length that I really enjoy I will keep it.

[LadyArwen]

I love this poll - thank you for putting this together!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
10 years ago now - I think 18 inches

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I thought it looked romantic and beautiful, plus in graduate school I was too busy to get a haircut. I also loved the preraphaelite paintings of women with long hair!

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I do! I love having long hair

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I used to get really caught up in waist length hair and would out of habit chop it to that length. I then wanted really long hair for my wedding which I got. As a pregnant mama, I think having long hair will be pretty, as long as I wear it up so baby wont pull it out!

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I was trying to do both, but at this point I will be just focusing on length, my hair isn't as thick as it used to be when I was younger and I have accepted that

6. Do you trim your hair?
I used to - do not anymore

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
no - it has changed in that I am more and more health conscious as to what I put in my body though for healthy hair care

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes! I have nightmares of getting a Karen haircut all the time

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
In the summer it does not, I do not like showering in the winter because it is so cold - I live for summer!

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
At this point in my life I will just let it grow until it stops. probably no longer than my knees :)

[vampyyri]

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes! I have nightmares of getting a Karen haircut all the time


This gave me a good laugh, not "the Karen" :lol: that's certainly nightmarish haha!

[Dark40]

I think this is a great idea to start a thread like this! I know that I belong here.

1. What was your starting, and how long ago was it?
At chin length, and back in 2010.
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
What made me decide to grow my hair was seeing a couple of real life girlfriends of mine with their superlong hair.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, I do. I'm enjoying the process of being on my hair growth journey, and seeing how long my hair can grow! I've had superlong hair in the past, and now I want it back plus longer!
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you will find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
If I had a wild guess, I think my "sweet spot" is at mid thigh length...and no it has never been that length in th past.
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I'm more interested in gaining both length and thickness.
6. Do you trim your hair?
No I only do very tiny or small dustings of the tips of my ends once or twice a year.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yes, my hair care routine has changed a lot since I've been here on LHC? But I can say it has changed for the better instead of the worse!
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, I do. I truly believe my hair tells a lot about myself.
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Ohhh yes, me taking care of my hair I do love....and it makes me very happy. Because, I really enjoy taking care of it, and doing it! And, as it grows longer I honestly don't think that it'll be a chore. Because, I just love doing my hair!
10. Do you think you're more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different once and change it up?
Yes, I think I will definitely land on one length, and stick to it always, and don't change it up. The only thing I'll be changing is the different hair-styles that I'll be wearing.

[Bat]

seems my goals are Sephiroth, and Queen Serenity but I should think of another anime/game character oh I got them!
Advents Children characters :p
Loz ( basically here now) Kadaj ( CBL) Yazoo (between APL and MBL) then of course Sephiroth ( Classic+ to Knee+ depending on the game figurines you get )

[cookies]

I think I belong here too :) My "goal" tends to fluctuate - I've set it to TBL just to have one, but I can imagine it being either too long and impractical for me, or if I get used to wearing it up - not long enough. So much like you vampyyri, I'm not sure what my goal is, but I'll know when I get there!

What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Sometime last summer, somewhere around SL/CBL.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
It's never been really long as an adult and I feel like I "have the hair for it" :D So I'd say curiosity.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes and no. I'm too impatient now that I know I want it long and as we all know, it takes a lot of time. But I do enjoy the "oh wow, it's made it this far and it's still healthy!" phase I'm in right now.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Somewhere in the waist to tailbone realm. I don't like the idea of sitting on it, but I love the idea of hair covering my entire back or being half my height and the wow factor of that length.
The longest it's ever been was around waist/hip when I was 9-10 years old. As an adult it's made it to waist once or twice due to not-so-benign neglect and it's always been in a terrible state by the time I get there, urging me to chop all the damage, usually back to APL.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
My hair is sufficiently thick, so I'd say length. In theory, I'd love it to get even thicker and be a solid iii (I'm bordering it now, but whether due to shedding or frizz taming, it's thinned a little over the past few months). But in practice, we had the first 20+ degree C days and it's already feeling a bit suffocating when I wear it down.

6. Do you trim your hair?
During COVID I did it myself and quite poorly lol, but now I've found a great hairdresser so I get it done professionally. I'll join the second half of 2023 no trim challenge, but I imagine I'll need at least two yearly trims until the bleach is all gone.
I've been S&D-ing since my last trim in February and the splits are not as bad as they'd usually get by the 3-month post trim mark, so let's see how it goes.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yes, it's been evolving the more I learn. I don't have a dream routine yet, but my hair seems thankful for all the tweaks so far.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Not really. To be honest, my sense of "who I am" is not that strong altogether :lol: My friends might feel differently though, out of all my physical features, I think my hair gets the most comments/compliments.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
I do enjoy it, only on rare occasions I wish it took less time when I don't have much of it.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'm already planning a SL cut when my natural hair gets there (probably for summer 2025) and there's a very strong possibility I'll want to grow it long again after that, the natural edition. I like the idea of growing it to TBL and chopping it to SL as a cycle and am considering donating the chops too.

[Bat]

am considering donating the chops too.

Hair generally has to be virgin hair if you want to donate it I believe but there is an option to donate it to places that use it to clean up oil spills

[cookies]

Hair generally has to be virgin hair if you want to donate it I believe but there is an option to donate it to places that use it to clean up oil spills
I kinda want to keep the first one anyway, then if there’s subsequent ones they’d be hopefully virgin. But that’s just fortune telling as of now :D

[runey]

I love this thread! Tbh I never thought of this as an option until this thread put it into words, and always worried about not having a set end goal, so I’m glad I stumbled across it :D Due to my OCD, it’s really difficult for me to focus on the present and not obsess over the end-goal of different things in my life. Since my hair is so important to my self-care and daily self-regulating routines, I think this mindset over its length will help me in terms of coping with obsessing over the “end” of things, and will remind me to just focus on the present moment and not worry so much about the future or where I “should” be :)

Anyways, mental health tangent aside, here’s my answers to the questions!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I’d say my starting point was right before I buzzed my hair in December 2021. I had been idly growing my hair before, but it was super unhealthy due to bleaching, so I decided to start fresh and healthy once I buzzed my hair and decided to actually grow it out. (sidenote: I still have a blonde streak in my hair now, just because I love having dyed hair, but still want the majority of my hair to be healthy :) )

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
Besides just liking the way long hair looks on me, I’d also say how calming hair is to take care of for me. As I mentioned before, self-care regarding my hair for me is super calming and helps me focus on myself and my body’s overall well-being a lot more, so having the constant journey of growing long hair is really fun to me as I adapt my routines and habits to it.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes! I love seeing my hair evolve and change over time, and getting to come up with different styles or looks to incorporate it into has been super fun. I love the versatility of not having one length or style to stay with.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
The longest I’ve ever had my hair has been just past BSL, and I don’t think that was my hair’s sweet spot. If I had to guess, I think it would be probably somewhere around waist length, as that seems the most appealing to me. But I guess we’ll see when we get there :D

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Definitely length! My hair is extremely thick as is, I’m definitely covered on that front LOL.

6. Do you trim your hair?
I used to, but not so much since I started growing more seriously. I only S&D as I don’t get enough split ends to justify full trims, and have never really had problems with my ends snapping off or thinning out. I’m also doing No Trim 2023 right now, so there haven’t been any trims since around December :D

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Only my styling one, as a result of me finding more curly hair resources. I used to just spray in a curl leave-in, but now I actually style my hair with mousse and gel products. I also started oiling my ends since I first discovered LHC, since I realized how much better it made my hair feel :)

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Definitely! But less in terms of personality/myself as a person, and more in terms of my physical appearance. I always consider my hair when doing my makeup or choosing an outfit for the day, and consider it a big part of how I present myself to the world.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
The only part I consider a chore is actually washing it, but I love conditioning/detangling and styling it in every aspect. I just find it really relaxing, and even if I have a bad hair day or I end up not liking the style, that just means I can play with my hair more and try out new things :p

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I can definitely see myself playing around with different lengths! I don’t ever think I’ll cut my hair past a specific point again, though. Like for example, when I reach somewhere around waist, I think I’ll try styles way longer than it and try cutting a little less than it, but I think I’ll always stay around a specific range of lengths. I hope that made sense LOL.

Super fun questions, thanks for starting this thread :D

[MusicalSpoons]

The moderator Chromis mentioned a "cheese length thread" in some other thread, and while I know it was a joke (I liked it), this, your thread, is in my mind "the" cheese length thread - because it´s an all-inclusive and a happy place. :cheese:

Petition to rename this thread "The cheese length thread - no end goal: enjoying the journey" :lol: :cheese: ;)

I'm not here yet, I definitely have an end goal (although I'm not thinking about the journey right now, just seeing if my hair will get there or not) but I am looking forward to having reached it, cut back, and … well, we'll see. I won't have a length goal, any more that's for sure. Nice idea for a thread, it's great to see so many enjoying it!

[neko_kawaii]

Petition to rename this thread "The cheese length thread - no end goal: enjoying the journey" :lol: :cheese: ;)

I'm not here yet, I definitely have an end goal (although I'm not thinking about the journey right now, just seeing if my hair will get there or not) but I am looking forward to having reached it, cut back, and … well, we'll see. I won't have a length goal, any more that's for sure. Nice idea for a thread, it's great to see so many enjoying it!

Nope.

The "No End Goal" Thread (CHEESE!): Enjoying the Journey

[giraff]

I don't know if I belong in this thread or not, but I don't have a final end goal as of now - so probably? :cheese: Fun fact: When I joined LHC many moons ago, my goal was actually waist. I didn't even think I'd make it. And here I am, logging on again after a few years, already at hip!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Pixie cut back in 2013(?), but had a big chop+bleach job, so you could also say chin in 2018.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I want to try everything to see what I like the best! Long hair takes more time to achieve than a pixie cut :thud:

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes, although it feels like it's taking forever.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Who knows? Maybe Classic? Feels like that's just before you hit "crazy long" lengths.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Keep thickness, gain length!

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, once a year at a salon.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Probably! I remember trying scalp massages, cones and sulfate free, wcc and more last time I was here. I'm already trying out a new routine with focus on scalp health this time around.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Not really. It hasn't caught up to me yet, I still feel like my hair is shoulder length. That's about where I've been lengthwise most of my life.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Yes. It's self care! But it has been nice with a break from the obsessive measuring etc, and just keep growing with benign neglect these past few years also.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I think I'll change it up? maybe? But I might go for terminal first!

[Bat]

I kinda want to keep the first one anyway, then if there’s subsequent ones they’d be hopefully virgin. But that’s just fortune telling as of now :D
A while ago a member here grew their hair to donate their height in hair with chops they managed to do it

[MusicalSpoons]

The "No End Goal" Thread (CHEESE!): Enjoying the Journey

Oh yes, that's *much* better than my clumsy suggestion.

[angel-baby]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it? I decided to grow to BSL from chin back in 2019, and then in October 2023 I missed having super long hair so I recommitted

2. What made you decide to grow your hair? Pole dance and long hair tiktok!! I started missing my tailbone length hair too much

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out? I do. Taking better care of my hair leads to taking better care of myself overall

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past? I think just past hip length would probably be it. I really liked that length in the past, and if I had to maintain there for some reason I could do it easily. I also really liked tailbone, tho it's a bit more high maintenance.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair? Both!! I want long healthy hair with the thickest hemline possible for my hair

6. Do you trim your hair? Yes, every few months I get a trim in a salon, and sometimes I microtrim in between if my ends are in really bad shape.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC? I stopped bleaching, started focusing more on scalp care, started using products meant for my hair type, reduced washes to 2x/week, and using different hair masks to add hydration, moisture, and protein back into my hair.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are? YES. It's not the end-all, be-all, but it is important. I think people recognize other people by their hair just as much as their facial features. Its why I'm super unhappy currently bc I tried to go back to brown and ended up with this red shade. Everyone says it looks good but it's not how I want, and it's not how I see myself.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore? It makes me happy. I look forward to wash days, and I think of it as self care. It all gets me closer to my goals in the end.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up? I really want to make it to Classic at least once. I might grow longer or cut back from there, but its been my goal since I was 18 and I haven't managed it yet. Spent too much time dyeing my hair. Now that I'm committed to my natural color I think I can do it

[mariakatija]

This is the thread for me!!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

I was a little past chin length, and this was about 3 years ago I believe.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I've grown and cut my hair since I was like 8 years old but I've always found long hair to be beautiful. Short hair is great but I find it's more part of an overall style.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

I do when I am not so focused on the reaching a goal because then I feel inadequate until I'm there.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

Probably around waist because any longer and it gets too annoying to deal with. Any shorter and it feels too short and I can't do braids and buns as well. I'm currently at this length.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

I want to gain more length but keep my ends healthy with trims. I don't really lose thickness, but the ends get split and break off after a while.

6. Do you trim your hair?

Yes, usually about every year to year and a half. I might start going more often now.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

It has changed constantly over the years. Now, I wash with sulfates every other day. Since I got a trim I am testing out non-silicone conditioner. To me, if hair is healthy, I don't think the products matter so much.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

No.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

It's usually a chore. I enjoy more the feeling of whipping my hair around or feeling it on my back.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I'm tired of growing it and cutting it. I'm going to keep growing but I am going to trim when I need it. Now even hip length looks too long for my tastes. It would be cool to reach mid-thigh length though but that's the longest I'd go.

[baanoo]

This is a great idea, Vampyrii - I like the length-specific threads for length-specific commiserating and advice, and the recent discussion was bothering me a little because it felt counterintuitive! Like, my view has always been - if you’re in a place between X and Y come hang out here whether you’re growing or maintaining.

At this point, I’m growing by default but not actively looking for a specific length and have no firm plans for ….anything really. On to the questions!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
In true baanoo fashion, it was a meandering path. I started casually growing out my hair from a very cute funky chin-length bob in 2011, got to waist in 2014, trimmed back to chin in 2015, then started over - again very casually.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
In 2019, I decided to grow a little more purposefully and see if I could grow past waist - which was the longest I had ever had it as an adult. I then got really sick in late 2019/early 2020 and lost a ton of hair. I had heard of LHC on Twitter and during my month or so of bedrest I started browsing the forum and realized a lot more was possible than I realized!

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes? I mean, no one likes it when you’re growing out a funky situation and it’s in an awkward stage but once past that, it’s all fun and games!

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past
Probably. Tbl has so far been a great length. I think that if I reach classic I’ll be able to do a single-braid coronet which would be A+. I don’t think I’ve had a particular length where I’ve said, oh yes this is it!

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Well, thickness is something I can’t really control. Yes, I’m growing out the regained thickness post-shed, but it’s going to take ages. Yes, I’ll be slowly reshaping my hemline to get it back to straight from a U. Otherwise, it’s all just part of the experience.

6. Do you trim your hair?
My hair needs to be trimmed more often than I do it, I think. I’ve generally been a once a year trimmer and I keep telling myself it would be better to microtrim more frequently but that hasn’t happened yet!

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
100%. I didn’t know about heat damage, had never heard of WCC/CWC/loc, didn’t think fine hair would benefit from oiling, wet detangled (which is bad for me), had no idea about protective styling, would never have worn a sleep bonnet, and relied far too heavily on elastics and Bobby pins.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
It’s definitely become a big part of my sense of style though I don’t think my personal identity is wrapped up in it.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
How late am I running? How badly do I need to wash my hair? Do I also need to shave my legs? Lol! I love taking care of my hair except on days where I really need to wash but am definitely running behind.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
Most likely I’ll find a length range and keep it somewhere within there but who’s to say! It’s all about the journey and not the destination for me.

[Bat]

It wasn't counterintuitive it's being fair and not having two threads with overlap while all others only get one, but don't worry I honestly think they will wait for the hype to go down and people forget it existed and it gets pushed under a rug, that's how other sites I've been on have worked with issues like these still I'm glad this thread exists.

[ReadingRenee]

I guess this thread would apply to me. I have no idea what my goal is because I don't know how good my hair will look longer as far as quality, or what I will be able to put up with.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

My starting point was a pixie back in 2002

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I don't actually remember anymore. I had happily had short hair for most of my late teens and twenties when I got a hankering for long hair again right before I had my first child. I have been growing it actively, but then cutting and growing ever since.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

I must! Since I decided to grow it out more than 20 years ago, I have cut it many times. I usually get to a certain length( about MBL) and then cut it back to chin or jaw. I enjoy it for about a month, and then start growing again.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

No clue where my sweet spot is. For hair quality and thickness, while looking good on my face while down, that would be APL. I notice when I reach that length I start really enjoying wearing my hair down. But, I want to find a longer sweet spot if possible.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

I am not going to gain thickness, my hair is thin. So, I'm more interested in length at this point. Until I get interested in thickness, which is usually when I cut it.

6. Do you trim your hair?

Yes! Sometimes I go for half a year or a year without a trim, but I do trim it.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Pretty much do sulfate free shampoo, sometimes do Co wash, wash my hair much less. About once or twice a week.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

This is a great question. I think I do. Depending on what my hair is doing, I do feel differently about myself.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

This has fluctuated through the years but right now, it's a chore. There have been times when I have really enjoyed having hair long enough to pamper, and maybe that will happen again but for now its pretty much benign neglect.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I definitely change up my lengths. I have tried everything from jaw length in the past 20 years, so I'm interested to try lengths beyond MBL.

Thanks for these thought-provoking questions! It has been interesting reading everyone's answers as well.

[purple_omelette]

Great thread! It's so nice seeing people's responses :) Here are mine below:

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

Waist length, back in 2019. I did have long-ish hair most of my life though - I cut from hip to CBL when I was 12, then again to chin at 14 and 16, then pretty much kept it some version of 'long' after that. Now I'm starting from waist(ish) again after cutting back from classic in late 2021 and maintaining since then.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

Game of Thrones. I got really into braiding around the time I discovered the show in 2013, and I decided waist length or longer was the best length for the styles I liked.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Sometimes. Usually I get impatient when I think of it as 'growing it out', because I feel like I'm not 'there' yet. But if I focus on other things, or just try and have fun with my hair at whatever length it is, I enjoy myself :)

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

Probably around classic. I've been there before, and I love the look of that length. I would like to get to knee this time around, but I'm also happy to maintain or cut back if I don't enjoy my hair at that length, which was the whole reason behind my big chop in late 2021.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

Both I suppose? I would like long hair that doesn't thin out anymore than it already does, but length matters more than thickness because it's something I seem to have more control over.

6. Do you trim your hair?

Hahaha yes and no. I've gone up to 4 years between trims, but if I'm really keen on a specific hemline or hating my ends, I have no qualms about grabbing the scissors.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Yes. In some ways for the better (I use a silk cap at night now), but in some ways seeing all these gorgeous heads of hair and hearing about a thousand different routines took me off the tried and true path of 'if it ain't broke'. My routine has been the same since 2013, it works, and any time I try something different I tend to get worse results. I'm cowashing all the way to the grave!

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

Sort of? I definitely LIKE my hair, but more in a vanity way than because it feels like an innate part of me. I think if I lost it I would miss it, but again, mostly because of vanity and other people's perceptions of a 20something woman without hair than because I IDENTIFY with the hair itself. It's just hair. I would miss the hobby aspect of it though - styling, learning new ways to braids, participating in this community.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

Varies. If I become hyperfocused on a particular hair 'goal', I become frustrated. If I focus on enjoying my hair, whether that means a LWB every day, or spending 2 hours on a special braided style, I'm happy.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

Who knows! Right now, I'm a longhair at heart. I've always felt best when my hair was WL or longer. But life happens, priorities change (as does personal taste), so I really don't know what my hair will look like in the future!

[KokoroDragon]

I was looking at my hair in the mirror today and thought, "nope, not long enough". Does anyone else get that feeling?

[giraff]

Yes KokoroDragon! Granted, I'm "only" at hip. But my hair does not look long to me. So weird. Waist was my longtime unachievable goal, but it's not long enough.

[vampyyri]

I was looking at my hair in the mirror today and thought, "nope, not long enough". Does anyone else get that feeling?

Every day :lol: especially with the shrinkage from my wurls! I really have no idea when I'll stop thinking that or if the LHC-itis is hitting me again :p who knows, because I certainly don't lol

[KokoroDragon]

Yes KokoroDragon! Granted, I'm "only" at hip. But my hair does not look long to me. So weird. Waist was my longtime unachievable goal, but it's not long enough.

I know exactly what you mean! If I were to see my length hair on someone else, I'd think it was long. But on me, it just doesn't feel long yet.


Every day :lol: especially with the shrinkage from my wurls! I really have no idea when I'll stop thinking that or if the LHC-itis is hitting me again :p who knows, because I certainly don't lol

LHC-itis hits hard sometimes. When I first joined I thought TBL was long. Now that I'm past it, it feels so short! :p

[mochichichi]

Yes KokoroDragon! Granted, I'm "only" at hip. But my hair does not look long to me. So weird. Waist was my longtime unachievable goal, but it's not long enough.

I had "waist is actually not long enough" happen before I even managed to get there!! The LHCitis really out there. After I decided waist wasn't long enough I decided to go for classic but now I'm here I feel like my hair is "actually" long and I need more length to get "really long."

[Ylva]

I'm between mid-thigh and knee and it still doesn't feel long to me - but it sure feels and acts inconvenient and annoying! That's one big reason why I've decided to cut it. It's literally pointless to keep the damaged length right now if it doesn't bring anything positive with it.

[cookies]

I know exactly what you mean! If I were to see my length hair on someone else, I'd think it was long. But on me, it just doesn't feel long yet…
When I look at other people’s hair, I sometimes find myself thinking “ok, they’ve got nice long hair! …wait, that looks like BSL? I’m at BSL, how come is my hair not long???” :lol:

[Bri-Chan]

I always felt "not that long/too short" till my recent chop. Now I find myself more confident saying I have long hair. Weird, isn't it?

[KokoroDragon]

That is interesting Bri-Chan. Maybe your chop gave you new perspective?

[Nesoi]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

I buzzed my hair in 2012. Several big chops since then though.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I had long hair before buzzing it but I didn't know how to look after it. I had dyed and backcombed and all sorts. I found LHC in 2012 and decided to start fresh.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Yes. I've donated it three times.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

To be honest last time it grew past waist I didn't like it so...now? But I'm hoping this time around I will learn to love the longer lengths.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

My hair is thick enough for me so it's length I am after.

6. Do you trim your hair?

Yes and no. Not as a routine but I will if my ends feel gross.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

I've tried lots of different things but I have the best results just shampooing and conditioning with the odd deep treatment thrown in. I did stop using heat though.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

I think so. When half - literally - of it fell out in 2019 following surgery I was very upset even though it was only chin length at the time.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

I don't love washing it but I like braiding and bunning.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

History tells me I'll chop it again but my heart says go for terminal!

[Begemot]

Seems like a thread for me :)

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
- I started growing my hair 2010, from APL to waist, but my hair was so damaged and thin that the actual long hair journey started only after I joined here 2012.
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
- My hair was breaking and looking thin and awful, so I did a complete 180 and stopped hair dye and heat and just let it grow. Just for change, I guess.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
- Usually yeah, I like having a (hair) project. I'm more chill about my length after WL.
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
- WL is safe and "long enough" for me.
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
- I try to make my ends as thick as possible. I'll grow until it becomes too impractical or I feel like cutting.
6. Do you trim your hair?
- Yes, twice a year typically.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
- I used to experiment more and try a lot of DIY stuff but now adding some honey in my conditioner is as DIY as I get these days. I had a product hoarding phase but got over that and have a pretty steady routine.
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
- Yes, in the sense that I would be devastated if I lost my hair (like I would be if something sudden and unexpected and out of my control happened to any part of my appearance). I don't think it's about femininity or a spiritual thing. Long, healthy hair is simply pretty.
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
- Most of the time I enjoy my hair care.
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
- I know I will keep trying different lengths, but will always go back to growing long :blossom:

[sarana]

Okay okay, I guess I'll try this too. My ends are so uneven that it's hard for me to determine my current length, and my goal is pretty much just "get it as long as my thin hair type will allow" :p

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I've been trying to grow my hair long always. Had a frustration/rebellion pixie in 2006. Before and after that it was always APL-BSL, even though I didn't really trim or chop.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
It just always was what I wanted. Fantasy was a big influence too. (And the metalheads i guess lol.)
Hair feels like capital to me. And spiritual.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
It's been frustrating at times to see no progress after years of trying, but I've learned a lot

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Well my original goal was waist, because I think it's a very balanced and nice length. I think I might like TBL or Classic if I get there, and I don't think my hair type will allow for more than that. If all else fails, BSL has always served me well. Very long hair may not work for my dance hobby, but I have to get there first to see.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length. Thickness is never gonna happen no matter what I do

6. Do you trim your hair?
Once or twice a year by myself. But right now I'm trying to avoid even that to see what happens

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yeah (well some of it has come from YT and blogs, but). I think the biggest difference has been to do everything to avoid tangles and breakage. I do now place a big emphasis on conditioning, gentler brushing, braids and buns, and satin bonnets/pillowcases. These have actually made a noticeable difference, at least in my hair quality.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes I do. I hate it when other people try to meddle with it, it's part of me.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Both? Often it feels like a chore, but often I also enjoy the sensations it gives me.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'm a one length type of person, I just want to get it as long as I can and then stay there.


I think my hair is actually now the longest it has ever been, with the longest tips almost at hip when stretched. I think they may reach BCL by the end of summer, if I don't trim them. The taper however is very severe and the actual thickness doesn't reach below the APL-BSL line where it has always stalled.

[rosenester]

I love reading this thread, and I love the questions. I make goals, but just milestone to milestone until it ‘feels long enough’ so I may belong here, but for now I’ll just read all the answers!
:blossom: thanks for creating this thread <3

[vampyyri]

Every day :lol: especially with the shrinkage from my wurls! I really have no idea when I'll stop thinking that or if the LHC-itis is hitting me again :p who knows, because I certainly don't lol

This "not long enough" feeling hit me pretty hard yesterday. I was admiring someone else's hair which was between APL and BSL and of course I was like "I wish my hair was that long", but... I'm definitely past that mile marker :lol: Maybe it's the shrinkage really messes with my perception, I'm not used to that part yet. Or maybe it's just because we're our own worst critics.

It's probably a combination of both, funny how our brains work :p

[Bat]

I take back what I said it did get done

I'm here again, I think having length goals are pointless with my track record I'm back to buzz after another bleach disaster I guess my new goal is to get to 105 days without buzzing my head again so Tuesday
12 September 2023

[vampyyri]

I take back what I said it did get done

I'm here again, I think having length goals are pointless with my track record I'm back to buzz after another bleach disaster I guess my new goal is to get to 105 days without buzzing my head again so Tuesday
12 September 2023

I think it might be easier to take it one step at a time rather than looking at the full picture, because I know that can be really overwhelming. I know you like to have fun with your hair and try new things, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that so don't beat yourself up over it. We're here to support you no matter what you're doing with your hair, and that's the beauty of this community because there's a lot of people who are on different hair journeys :D

[Bat]

I think it might be easier to take it one step at a time rather than looking at the full I know that can be really overwhelming. I know you like to have fun with your hair and try new things, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that so don't beat yourself up over it. We're here to support you no matter what you're doing with your hair, and that's the beauty of this community because there's a lot of people who are on different hair journeys

Indeed it's true, one day at a time. I have done it before I'm sure I can do it again

[Bri-Chan]

That is interesting Bri-Chan. Maybe your chop gave you new perspective?

Sorry for the late reply. I think that since I'm not actively growing my hair I'm less focused on inches and milestones. I'm more relaxed about my hair in general.
Also, on websites like this one, where is common to see very long hair, obviously our perception it's different but in real life I don't think someone would ever consider my hair not long.

[Bat]

I'm pretty sure I'm still going to grow but I won't beat myself up If I relapse

[luxurioushair]

I guess I halfway belong here, because when I hit the latest milestone, I didn't know what to do next. Then I decided to just continue growing it and aim for a new milestone.
The only way to stop my hair from growing is to abuse it, which I don't want to do... because my whole journey started with wanting to take proper care of it, and to remove anything that was damaging it.

What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
November 2014, my hair was about 4 inches long, but then I trimmed 2 inches off about 2 months later, so that was my starting point.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I just decided to start taking care of my own hair, and it grew long as a result. Before that, all my life, others had taken care of my hair.
I am thankful to most of them, but the reality is that my hair never grew past my shoulders during those times.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I enjoy taking all my hair down about once per year, and realizing that I hit a new milestone. The rest of the time it's not really a process.
I don't see the real length of my hair for months on end. So I wouldn't call it a process.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I have no idea but I'm happy with it now. I'd be even happier if it got longer, for some unknown reason.
Every milestone I've hit since about 2016 is a new length I've never had.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length all the way

6. Do you trim your hair?
Once in a long while. Like once every couple of years if the ends are feeling a bit rough.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
No, I've just become a lot more relaxed with it. I mostly ignore my hair and I don't moisturize it as much as I used to. I just apply oil to the ends now.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Not really but I like having it. I'm thankful for it.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It's mostly just a thing I need to do. I usually watch a show or videos while I style it, so I'm not really thinking about it.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
When it gets too long for my arms to form twists in my hair, then I might cut it. Or, I might just clip up the extra length while I twist it, and refuse to cut it lol. Yeah I guess I can continue that for a long time... Other girls grow their 4c hair super long and they still twist ALL of it!

[meepster]

I'll play!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

March 2020; I had a pixie cut.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I couldn't go to the hair salon due to the pandemic and decided that this was the time to grow it out to the point that I could cut my own hair myself. And I just kept going.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Surprisingly, yes. I didn't enjoy it last time I tried to grow out my hair, but I always wore it loose, which looks horrible on me. This time I'm wearing it up most of the time, and it does make a difference.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

I'm at waist length now and this is totally uncharted territory for me. I've never had hair this long in my life.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

Both, I hope.

6. Do you trim your hair?

No, but I probably should. I'm noticing split ends now.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Yes - it got me to stop using baking soda on my hair. :)

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

Not really, but it is a marker for a pretty significant change in my life, so maybe?

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

It definitely feels like pampering.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I want to find a good length and then just maintain it. At this point, I definitely could cut my own hair if I wanted to, which was my goal for this whole project.

[Bat]

Hey meepster it feels like forever since I last saw you

[illicitlizard]

OOOOH I think I may need to hang here - I've felt a bit aimless since I stopped actively growing at the end of last year but still enjoying having long hair and growing (and trimming) on repeat.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Guard 3 buzzcut 2018, pretty much exactly 5 1/2 years ago.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I always liked having long hair, I only cut it because I wanted a fresh start, and to prove to myself and everyone else that short hair in fact would not "suit me perfectly" because I don't LIKE IT even though I have a long face :((

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
I didn't when it was very very short, such a pain. But generally, yes. Feels like progress without having to do much to earn it. A little treat to acknowledge the passage of time.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
When I started I thought the sweet spot would be BSL but all I wanted to do was get longer than I ever had (which was just past waist/hip-ish in my teens). Now at TBL I think my sweet spot for aesthetics and fun is between waist and hip.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Initially desperately wanted length, then strove for thickness/blunt hairline, now I'm cutting layers in again because I achieved both of those goals.

6. Do you trim your hair?
YES! Every 6-9 months or so on average.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I am gentler on my hair now (still rough compared to many to be fair), reintroduced sulfates/silicones after hearing people dispel the greenwashing/fearmongering around sulfate/cone free (basically, I use what works for my hair rather than what has the "best ingredients) and now I know what a hair stick is, so, yes, my routine has changed.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, it's one of my favourite and most identifiable features. I feel "like myself" with long hair - actually helps me recognise what I see in the mirror.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Usually I like the little self care rituals to do with haircare. Recently, it's more of a chore. I'm planning to cut back a couple of milestones though so it becomes enjoyable again :o
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I think I'll bounce between BSL and hip or slightly longer forever. I don't see myself ever going shorter than that, and I'm not going to be growing to a particular goal length. Just like many others have said, I want to be happy with my hair so will see where that takes me!

[cadaverinna]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Last time I had it cut was to BSL.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I always had it long and don't really like it too short, but I also think it suits my type of beauty better, but I don't think too much about it, TBH.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
No. I'll want collarbone lenght when I'm circling around TBL and then want it back to classic after I get a lob. Ughh

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Hip. Yes, and I loved it.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I want my hair as thick and full as possible, but I get headaches and a sore neck after a certain point. I'll never be happy.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes. I don't have a rule, but every three months I'll check the ends and see if they're asking for help.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Benign neglect saved my life.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Neutral, but I LOVE styling it.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
Can't see myself at the same length for more than a year. I'll either get it cut after a while or forget about it and suddenly realise it's knee length.

[Maiden Fair]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I didn't really have a "I'm going to grow it long now!" moment, so I'm not really sure. I think the last time I had it cut was maybe around my shoulders?

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I've always bounced back and forth between long-ish and short-ish hair, with the idea that someday I would grow it "really long" just for funsies. I got really sick at the beginning of 2020 and my growth rate slowed drastically for almost 2 1/2 years. Sometime in the middle of that, I remember thinking "if it's so slow to grow now, I may never get it long again!" and that made me sad. After that I kind of decided to see how long I could get it before chopping it off again, knowing it might be my last time ever to get it long. (My growth rate finally speeded up closer to normal again at the end of last year, but I think is still a little slower than it was before.)

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Eh. I guess I don't really think of it in those terms. It grows out whether I'm doing anything with it or not, so it's not like something I really do. It just happens. :shrug:

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I'm guessing it may be around classic? I'm past hip now and there are still some updos I just can't do with my thickness (looking at you, nautilus!), so it might be nice to have it long enough that all the more common buns/updos are available to me. I've never gotten past just brushing hip before this time, though.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Length, I suppose.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Not really. I S&D sometimes when I'm noticing lots of split ends but my hair is so thick it takes a long time even to trim and I have to have someone to do it for me, so it's too much trouble to do on a regular basis.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Not anything in the realm of products or daily routine, but the discovery of hair forks and sticks and buns that work with those saved me from cutting it when I got to about hip length early this year. Those have been a real game-changer that I now have a super easy and quick way to put it up and keep it both contained and protected. I feel so much more sanguine about my ability to take care of it and get it longer now.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes and no...I've always been a haircut experimenter (often to the horror of my hairstylists, lol), so I've had it at chin-length and hip length and everything in between a number of times. I don't want to tie my identity to something that can change or disappear so quickly.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
I would say it's usually a chore. It takes a long time to wash, forever to dry, combing it takes forever...I will say that the addition of hairsticks for styling, and a long silk nightcap for sleeping in have made it much easier to take care of, so it's *less* of a chore than it used to be. :laugh:

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
No idea. I'd like to think I'll find the magic length and decide to just maintain it there, but in the past, I've always gotten bored/frustrated and changed the length every few years. Now that I have an easy way to do updos (I feel like I'm sensing a theme in my answers, haha), I've been feeling much less frustrated about everyday care, so I may be able to find a good long length and stick to it. We'll see.

[Purple Ink]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

A pixie cut that I loosely maintained for the second half of 2020 and early 2021.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

I strongly dislike having to go to the hairdresser's, because that is a sensory nightmare to me. As an enby I was also 100% done with stylists telling me they had done this or that to "keep the hairstyle feminine" when I specifically asked for something androgynous and not feminine.
I've also had long hair for 90% of my life so I thought, why not.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

Yes and no. Shorter lengths are hard to deal with because I have thick hair, so attaching it before it reaches MBL is a struggle. But because I started from such a short length, I had plenty of weird, awkward and funny lengths with a hair texture that changed every day, and I really enjoyed the chaotic energy of it!

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

I'm pretty sure it's around waist length. That's the length I've had for half of my life because it looks best on me and has a manageable weight. I don't think I will stop there though.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

My hair is impossibly thick already so I'm not going to worry about it until I hit hip length ha ha. For now, I'm only interested in gaining more length.

6. Do you trim your hair?

I S&D whenever I remember that's a thing or see a split end, but other than that I haven't had a trim since I equalized the length of my hair after the chaotic pixie-bob period, and I don't intend to get one in a long time, unless at some point my lengths are so different that I have a hard time braiding or bunning it.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

When I was still lurking (before 2020, when my hair was growing to tailbone) I abandonned silicones and I am now mostly using shampoo and conditioner bars, with an occasional use of sulfates when my hair gets too greasy. Since starting to regrow, I also began oiling.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

Not really. Chopping it usually accompanies big changes in my life, but other than that I think other people tend to associate my long hair with me more than I do so myself.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

It really depends on the moment, sometimes it really won't work with me, sometimes it decides to look really good, which is rewarding. I guess mostly yes, as I said I like the chaos of it!

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

Definitely change it up. Sometime I'd like to reach terminal length if possible, but I also want to see what I look like with a buzz cut and everything in between. I'd like to experiment with my hair as much as possible!

[Braided Lady]

I had a trim a couple weeks ago, and I'm thinking I'll start maintaining with growth, because I really like the length I'm at right now. It feels weird to start maintaining, even if I won't cut off all the new growth, but I'm reminding myself I was never in it for the length, just the enjoyment. I'm actually really looking forward to a couple closer together trims before I go back to benign neglecting it

[shelomit]

Oh, this is DEFINITELY me ; D

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I started growing my hair out around age 8, I think.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
Initially it was partially a reaction to a bad haircut, partially because of admiring my cool uncle who wore his hair long.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Didn't enjoy or un-enjoy. It's mostly just. . . there.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
My hair is at its longest-ever right now (calfish), but I spent a very long time growing it out to mid-thigh and cutting it back to waist or so. I would usually cut it back when the ends were getting raggedy, which I've had a lot less trouble with over the past few years after changing some things. In the longterm I think I might settle back at mid-thigh or fingertip again; that kind of feels like "home."

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Meh c:

6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, but not at all often. I think I'm on about three years since my last trim.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Yes! I've shifted over to primarily finger-detangling. Otherwise I don't think I would have made the leap past fingertip ( ;

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
It's definitely the only aspect of my appearance that I routinely feel good about. Some people recognize me by my long hair. . . and others go for years without realizing that I have any hair at all since I'm also a headscarf wearer, LOL. I guess it's part of my private persona/self-image but not so much my public persona.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Mostly a chore but I also don't do much to it. It mostly hangs out and doesn't bother me ( :

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
As mentioned above, I think I might come back to mid-thigh in the longterm. Having grown from waist to mid-thigh a bunch of times, I enjoy all of the steps along that particular patch and have a slightly different experience/repertoire of hairstyles at various points along it.

[Bat]

Do you ever think you'd try floor since your already at calf before cutting it back to your sweetspot

[shelomit]

Do you ever think you'd try floor since your already at calf before cutting it back to your sweetspot

Sure! It seems cool to have a stab at it once in a lifetime. But it's not a priority for me. If my hair starts annoying me in the next eight inches or whatever, I'd rather cut it back than feel like it's a burden just for the sake of getting to floor once.

[Bat]

Sure! It seems cool to have a stab at it once in a lifetime. But it's not a priority for me. If my hair starts annoying me in the next eight inches or whatever, I'd rather cut it back than feel like it's a burden just for the sake of getting to floor once.

Of course if you do I'd likecphotos :p

[WoodsyMouse]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
My starting point *now* is waist, with very thin ends, but once my hair was probably about classic to FTL, I think. Again- very thin at the ends.
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I've liked long hair (think Mediaeval maiden or something), and have wanted to have at least knee-length hair for ever.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Once it's actually growing, I will find out. :) I think I will be super happy if it actually grows, but I may be frustrated by the work involved.
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Maybe knee. I don't really know. One thing's for sure: it's GOT to have reasonable thickness to my waist, at least, or I may be very sullen. (But with how it's been lately, getting shorter and shorter, thinner and thinner, if I get it to get a little longer and a little thicker, I will be overjoyed.)
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Both. Both right now might be great signs of improvements on the various fronts I need if I want growth at all. I have been very sad in my life that my hair is really just not that thick, and I have a hope that it was just never that healthy and that I can get it to be thicker yet than it was.
6. Do you trim your hair?
I am starting to, but I haven't got a method or a schedule down. I probably need to do a decent trim to make it manageable; it's a pain to me.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I haven't been active long, but I joined months ago (I guess it will say when) and I probably did change things since then, but not necessarily because of LHC, though maybe.
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
It probably is more than I would like it to be- I have never cut my hair properly since 2011, and that was what I thought of as a trim (maybe 2 inches or so of very, very thin ends), and 'having long hair' is kind of something people are going to just think of as a Me Thing. But honestly, I don't exactly think about it a lot because it's so de rigueur.
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Oh, it's a chore to me so far. I prefer to FEEL my hair, which is not necessarily in its best interests, so I've tried to kill those habits. I will say that if I see improvements, I may grow to like it, and maybe I will start to be one of those people who feels it is part of her daily calming down (but right now it's more a stressing up).
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
The only several ones I currently wish to try are longer, longer, and even longer! If I get annoyed with dealing with long hair, maybe I would cut it and keep it at a length, but I have always really just wanted to see how long it could grow- I really expect, though, that terminal length could be about Classic. Which gives me sorrow, but this is called reality. But a little hope I have is that I have never seen terminal length because the hair was too weak to hold on. One can hope. ;)

[Wyldfae's Mane]

I think I belong here! I love that this thread exists!

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
I shaved my head in 2017, and I have been growing ever since!
2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
It was just the natural step for me after shaving my head, really.
3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Yes! Especially because I took the time to shape my hair nicely at each would-be awkward length. That saved me a lot of feeling ugly :D
4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I suspect that it could be classic, but I've never had that length!
5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Both!
6. Do you trim your hair?
Yes, every few months when it "needs it". No strict schedule or anything.
7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I lurked for years as a guest while I was growing it out, so my routine has absolutely been shaped by the wonderful knowledge here!
8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, I don't feel like myself when it's cut above my ears!
9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
I enjoy it when I'm being mindful! My hair care is just a part of my lifestyle nowadays.
10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I'll probably try a few different lengths after I surpass classic, but I don't know where I'll end up :D

[vampyyri]

Well, I ended up doing a trim from HL back to WL last week and I'm really enjoying my hair again. I almost made it through the 2023 no trim challenge, but I had already not trimmed since July 2022, so I think that still counts. I made it 16 months :p

I'm more concerned about a full hemline than length at the moment, so I'm going to trim as necessary to keep my hair looking full. I had some thin ends left over after my big chop that I had grown out, and now those are gone after a 2" trim. So if I can maintain a full hemline through the next milestones, then I'll keep going.

[Wyldfae's Mane]

Well, I ended up doing a trim from HL back to WL last week and I'm really enjoying my hair again. I almost made it through the 2023 no trim challenge, but I had already not trimmed since July 2022, so I think that still counts. I made it 16 months :p

I'm more concerned about a full hemline than length at the moment, so I'm going to trim as necessary to keep my hair looking full. I had some thin ends left over after my big chop that I had grown out, and now those are gone after a 2" trim. So if I can maintain a full hemline through the next milestones, then I'll keep going.

When I opened this thread I saw that you said you were pretty "meh" about your hair, so I'm glad you're enjoying it again! 16 months is definitely an impressive amount of time to go without a trim :D

[Bat]

I do have a tentative goal of Calf which will be impossible with my track record so I think it's time to throw concrete goals out the window and just go mile stone by milestone

[paulownia]

Funny that I missed this one ;). Well, better late than never.

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Somewhere between chin and shoulder, and it was around 2015.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
Ii always had short hair and always wanted long. That pretty much sums it up.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Depends. I enjoy it when my waves behave. I hate having bad hair days.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
Probably somewhere between mid-back and waist.
I never had hair longer than the length I'm sporting right now - an inch before BSL.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Both.

6. Do you trim your hair?
Alas, way too often!:rolleyes:

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Not significantly. Im really a minimalist when it comes to haircare, having hair that is low porosity and easily weighed down. Sulfate shampoo, light conditioner and good styling product are all that I need.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, it means a lot to me.

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
I love taking care of my hair , i always look forward to the wash day;)

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I want to get past mid-back for starters. I will probably keep longer hair if I ever get there.

[Diana Prince]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
Ear length. I had major bleach damage and I've chopped my almost WL hair so short, I definitely regretted this move even though it was for the best. It was at the end of 2019. I've maintained a short haircut for quite a while, to grow out most of the damage.

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
Before the big chop, I've almost always had long hair (at least, what the hairdresser's standard is: hair longer than APL). I've always felt more beautiful with longer hair, it's part of my identity.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
To be honest, no. I want my hair to grow magically overnight :lol:.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I think TBL is my sweet spot. I've never had hair that long, the longest was between BSL and WL.

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
I don't think I can gain any more thickness. I'm using a scalp serum so that my baby hairs have a chance to grow longer than 1 inch, but I don't think that'll make a difference. I only want length and a straighter hemline.

6. Do you trim your hair?
I used to trim it quite a lot, but this year I've only trimmed it 2 times and I'll try to maintain this rhythm.

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
Oho, a lot! I've experimented so much. Nowadays, I try to oil my ends every night (that's quite a challenge), to use my heatless curler or braid my hair for the night, be gentle while detangling, use coconut oil before washing (sadly I don't have the time to do it more than once a week), use SLS shampoos and silicone-rich conditioners/masks, leave in conditioner after every wash, and from time to time Olaplex/bond repair conditioner. And recently I started using a scalp serum for my baby hairs, will see how that goes, since I'm not the most diligent.

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes, and other people comment on it too without me speaking about it (I get complimented a lot and it makes my day).

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
It's definitely a chore. It takes quite a while to wash it and dry it and I am exhausted from work, so sometimes I end up thinking of cutting my hair to APL - but I hate that length on me and I only see myself with WL+ hair.

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
I don't see myself changing it up for the next ten years or so.

[LongLocke]

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?
A crew cut that I maintained pretty much my whole adult life. In the late 90s and early 2000s, I used to rock a mop top shaggy cut, but it was always pretty short. My last haircut was in January/February 2020. The pandemic was kind of a good excuse to get through the awkward stages

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?
I've always wanted to try growing it out. There were a few times in college where I tried, but never went more than a few months before getting it all chopped back. I think the longest I ever let it grow was having my bangs touch my nose.

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?
Sort of? I just let it do its thing and forget about it until the end of month when it's time to check progress.

4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?
I haven't found that spot yet. All of this is uncharted waters for me

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?
Right now, I'm focused on length. I don't know if/when I'll decide to focus on maintaining length and getting rid of my taper. I figured if I hit a terminal length, that's where I'll maintain to try and even out my hemline a bit

6. Do you trim your hair?
No. But it's also been four years since I let anyone else trim it either. I've debated on whether or not I'll start going somewhere when it's time to start maintaining

7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?
I'm still in the experimental phase of figuring my routine out. Adding in some occasional S&D has been the biggest change to what I do since I joined the community

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?
Yes and no. Yes in that ever since making the decision to grow it out, I've felt more like myself than ever before. But no because while it would suck if I ever had to cut it back/off, I wouldn't be horribly upset by that

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?
Definitely happy. I don't find it very chore-like in the slightest. Granted, I've pared my routine down into K.I.S.S territory, so that likely keeps it from feeling like a chore

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?
Seeing as how everything longer than a shag cut has been new to me, I've essentially been in a constant state of changing it up for the past four years. It's honestly been exciting to find out what updos I can do as it gets longer. I think the thrill is in learning new things

[Bat]

Updating responses I'll go back and read my old post after and see if anything has changed, just for a bit of fun

1. What was your starting point, and how long ago was it?

Short Pixie. July 1st this year after I skin shaved it off for the 4567754336th time

2. What made you decide to grow your hair?

Gender Identity/style I want to look more androgynous

3. Do you enjoy the process of growing your hair out?

I hate it so it's too slow for My ever evolving colours and goals


4. If you had to make a wild guess, where do you think you'll find your hair's "sweet spot"? Have you had that length in the past?

No idea really, CBL really suits me though the longest it's been is APL

5. Are you more interested in gaining length, or gaining thickness? Or are you just "meh" about your hair?

I don't need any help with thickness, I'd like length but lately I'm kind of meh I'm more focused I guess to get it back to platinum blond

6. Do you trim your hair?

Not myself but usually I'll get a trim if it's to cut out damage and remove layers. If I shave it off I do it myself


7. Has your routine changed since you've been on LHC?

Not really anymore, I do experiment more with different shampoo Masks and conditioners

8. Do you consider your hair to be a big part of who you are?

Definitely especially with colour

9. Does taking care of your hair make you happy, or is it more of a chore?

A mix of happy and meh

10. Do you think you are more likely to eventually land on one length, or try several different ones and change it up?

I won't know til I get there I guess

Edit: checked my old post most is still the same but I'm definitely less focused on Length goals and I don't enjoy growing it out like I used to