By Steve Garufi - May 16, 2008

In all my years enjoying and promoting long hair, below are the five most common excuses I have observed for why people cut their hair really short. Beware!

1) Emotional Problems

Are you going through a divorce or painful break-up? Are you suffering from depression? Are you having health problems, work conflicts or any other life issues that are causing you significant stress? Watch out! Emotional problems is the most common reason people do away with their long hair, and sadly, it is the reason people least admit.

We have all had the experience of being in a social gathering, where a woman walks in with a deathly short haircut, with everyone keenly aware she is going through a rough time in her life. To make matters worse, it is awkward for people who feel compelled to say complimentary things. I am convinced the words "cute" and "sassy" are code words for "You don't look as good, but I will use this adjective because I feel uncomfortable to say anything else."

Last year, I participated on an Internet forum where myself and others discussed this issue, and it was no surprise that it turned into a huge argument. About half of the women bravely admitted falling to the temptation of cutting their hair because of emotional and life problems, with the other half vehemently arguing it was not true, when it was obvious they were in denial. I was made out to be the "bad guy" by the offended, but over the next few months, one by one, a number of females admitted privately they endured some emotionally tough times when they chose to cut their beautiful long hair. What sweet vindication!

My encouragement: If you have emotional problems, have just gone through a break-up in a relationship or are depressed, seek a remedy for those issues without cutting your hair!

2) It Takes Too Long To Care For

Oh this is a intriguing rationalization. First of all, you are probably spending way too much time on your hair in the first place! Focus on the big three: Keep it clean (shampoo), condition it and comb it out. I have heard "horror stories" of women spending 45+ minutes on a daily routine that includes blow driers (a definite "no no!") and other lengthy techniques.

Also, may I ask you some challenging questions? Are you generally a lazy person? Maybe you are (and it is okay, we all have our lazy times), but what about your other basic life chores? Do you not change the oil in your car because you don't feel like it? Do you bypass showering or keeping up with your personal hygiene? Do you not clear out your kitchen sink regularly? If you have people coming over your home, do you not clean things up because it takes too long to care for?

Change how your view your long and beautiful hair. It is not a hassle. It is a blessing to you and to those in your presence who gaze at your hair.

3) The Baby Keeps Grabbing It

Sooooooooo ... what is the problem with that? :) Is it really that big of a deal that your baby or toddler grabs your hair now and then?

If you are engaging in the basics of long hair care, your hair will be healthy anyway and we all know moderate pulling of hair stimulates hair folicies.

4) I Want a "New Look"

Ut oh. See "Emotional problems" above. Browse through the amazing photos of beautiful long hair on this web site. Are you sure you want a new look? It sounds like you are projecting your deeper desires for newness and change in your life by cutting your hair. Don't do it!

Furthermore, how do you know you are going to look better? I regret being the bearer of bad news, but not all the compliments you will receive will be genuine.

5) I am a man. Men should not have long hair.

Oh what bull crap! Some of the most courageous and honorable men throughout the ages in human history have had long hair. Our American society pounds men into the corporate work grind that pressures them to appear totally clean and hairless. All the while the average man is weak inside. Their inner core is brittle because they have sold out in the name of their 401K's, their worship of money and their boring lifestyle of house mortgages, minivans and fitting in among peers.

To the men out there, I encourage you to get some balls. Grow your hair out. Long and proud! Get a backbone and stop caring what everyone thinks.

If you are a conservative Christian stuck in the mindset that men should have short hair, almost all of the images in artwork of Jesus Christ have him adorned with long hair. Think about that. (And I am not slamming Christianity. I am a born-again Christian myself and wear my hair long and proud at every Sunday service. Judgemental people really need to get a life*!)

* - Sorry, I blame the cappuccino I just drank for my fiestiness! :p)

Lastly, to those men who do not have the ability to grow your hair long due to baldness and receding hairlines, it is okay. It happens. I will be there at some point in the future, I'm sure.

- This article was written by Steve Garufi, a long hair enthusiast with long, black, naturally curly hair. His personal web site about his life in Colorado can be seen at www.ColoradoGuy.com.