Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Young at heart if not in hair

When I posed this question the other day it was because it's been something that's been on my mind.

When I was in college I started coloring my hair. I wanted to try different colors. For a long time I stayed with Red. But I've tried pretty much every color. At first the coloring was just to be able to "change things up" whenever I would get bored with my hair. Then I started to find the silver.

Yes silver. My mom's head is covered by beautiful white hair, so is her mom's and so is her sister's. I love my mom's hair. It's really beautiful. She's had it since I was young. In fact I have very few memories of her before her hair turned white. (She had me when she was in her 30's.)

Then the hair coloring turned from "changing things up" to "covering the gray". And I found that I'm fighting a losing battle so I decided to go "au natural" and embrace my platinum roots.

I cut my hair short in order to make the growing out process easier. I am now at the point where one more cut and my hair will be color free and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I want to like myself the way I am. I really do. And I was struggling with my "aging" until I saw this story on the Today show.


After seeing that story I am able to remind myself that I am blessed to be aging the way that I am. That it's okay to be getting older.

I will embrace my gray/platinum and the slight wrinkles around my eyes, yes I will.

I can still be young at heart.

25 comments:

Jillene said...

I hope that you take pictures of yourself!! You will still be beautiful no matter what!!

the fowlers said...

If I know anyone in this world who is young at heart, it's you! I don't think it's going to matter if your hair is purple, you are always going to have that inside of you - unless you let it go. So don't ever let it go!


(I'm hoping for that beautiful white hair, too).

Kristina P. said...

I think that white hair is beautiful. The problem I get is disgusting, mousy gray.

Mary said...

I've always told my husband that I want, what I call, the "skunk stripe," when I start going gray. For so many years I was completely obsessed with my hair b/c I was so overweight that I thought it was the only beautiful thing about me. But once I lost the weight and finally gained some self confidence, I realized I'm beautiful on the inside...which is why I'm surrounded by the people I love.

I say do whatever makes you happy, even if that includes continuing to dye your hair!

springrose said...

I think that story is so sad!! I feel so bad for that girl. I can't imagine going through that as a 13 year old or from birth. How very sad!! I guess I can live with my grey hair as well! Thanks for the reminder that beauty is only skin deep and we all eventually age and die. No matter how much surgery or other things we use. I just don't want to look like Kenny Rogers or that guy that played the million dollar man. I can't remember his name but he looks worse then if he had just let himslef age normally!!!

Erin said...

What a cute blog background!

Okay, now onto the subject of your post. I saw that Today show snippet too. I think it's really inspiring that you want to love yourself just the way you are. I can't wait to see pictures!

Nikki said...

I have always thought your mom's hair is gorgeous. It's so beautiful and healthy looking! I'm sure yours is too. Now I need to see a pic!

mCat said...

I want to see pics! Seriously, if I could get beautiful silver, I would instead of the ugly weird looking off-white color....

AW Cake! said...

Good for you! It makes me a little batty to see ladies that are in their 70's and still coloring their hair jet black or some funny color of red. GOod luck!

i'm erin. said...

Shanna, I think you're a babe. seriously. YOu always look good, and your short hair is really pretty. I say go platinum...naturally.

Emmy said...

My mom is totally white/silver too. Everyone always tells her how beautiful her hair is.. and it is.. I am just not ready to be there yet

Amander said...

I used to highlight my hair, but about a year and a half ago I decided to stop that - so now it is all my own color. Sometimes I get bored with it and want to dye it - but honestly, I HATE the upkeep.

Right now I don't know if I have gray hair because my hair is just sort of a mousy brown and it would all blend in. But I'm not sure what I'll do once I start to get a lot of gray.

Good for you for being all natural - I always encourage my mom to do that. Gray/silver/white hair is beautiful!

Tanya said...

Ya remember when I saw you a while ago at the store? Well I thought you looked great!!! I love that you are embracing it. I have the lovely silver too, and I choose to cover it, and it's a pain...so I say good for you!!! I admire this post!!

Recursively said...

Hey, anything that makes life a little more simple (i.e., no need to rush to tend to hair roots...) can only make you happy, because then you have more time to blog! :D

wendy said...

Awesome ---where are the photos??
I am proud of you for being willing to age naturally and with grace.
If I thought I could be a "good grey" I'd be so happy. My sister is going grey and she is just letting it happen. I am still coloring my hair --blonde.

I bet you will be THE BOMB--and being young at heart is what's most important.

Jessica said...

You go girl! :)

I saw that story too, poor girl! How rough, for a teenager.

Jenny said...

After reading the story about the 13 year old girl looking 50. I am feeling humble. I vow to no longer complain about my grey strands of hair.

Rachel Sue said...

I think it is so great that you are going au natural. My mother and mother in law are pretty much completely gray, but both still dye their hair and I don't like it. You can tell that it is fake and I just wish they would let it go!

But then again, there's me. White hairs are popping up alarmingly fast on my head. I like to think that I will just let it happen, but. . .

alpinekleins said...

I stumbled in here in the middle of the night, good things can happen when you wander around in the dark:) THIS POST really caught my attention - I'm a frequent colorer (is that correctly stated?) and I've hooked my girls as well. But I must admit - I love color! For us it's a party, we all go to the same gal and visit for hours until we're done.

I'm so hooked! Be back often:)

Kristin

Bonnie the Boss said...

Now I want to see it!
I am fighting that battle all the way uphill! I haven't been able to give in yet. I am stilll coloring!

Omgirl said...

I am very interested in seeing the pics. Although I think a head of snow white hair is beautiful, I also think it ages you way more than died hair. So tell me what you think ince you've fully embraced it.

Teachinfourth said...

I just wanted to make my presence known, Shanna. I've been away from the blogosphere for a bit and just wanted you to know that I was around tonight.

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

I like the idea of letting my hair progress naturally, but I really hope that natural is going platinum like my mom and grandma. I've been thinking about this lately and haven't decided what I'm going to do when I start going gray since I don't currently color my hair. I can barely keep up with washing my hair and plucking my eyebrows so I don't think I'd be able to keep up the coloring successfully. I'd probably always be the lady with the really bad roots/color that people whisper about in public. Also, you definitely need to post some pics!

tiburon said...

I quote the great Rita Rudner when I say "I don't plan to age gracefully. I plan to have face lifts until my ears meet."

tiburon said...

Oh and I think you are stunning. And that is why you are my friend. I have no ugly friends. I only surround myself with the beautiful people.