Tag Archives: going grey

  • 11
    Apr 15
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Thirteen months, no color – Nov 29, 2014

Going Silver: Thirteen Months, No Color

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Wow … thirteen months and people still think my hair is “blonde” … of course, the ends are, but the top side is getting pretty silver! That said, Mom and I worked hard on our “photo shoot” to get a shot that showed how silver I really am. I know, I know – we could both use a photography class. But, back to the point … my blonde ends really catch people’s attention. Once they are gone, the true story will be told. I’m using a toner now to even things out … those pictures will be coming soon. For now, please see the pictures below to see the progress at thirteen months. Notice how–in the picture of me by my suv–from a distance I look blonde and that’s with my hair up with the blonde ends tucked away! I’m happy with the transition and thrilled with the response from others.

My advice to others who are on the fence about taking the Silver Linings Path … try it!!! What will it hurt? You can always go back to color. If you do try it, please subscribe to my blog and let me know how the transition going. And, if you decide to blog about it … let me know … I’d like to follow your blog and journey. Remember, we’re in this together.

Thirteen months, no color – Nov 24, 2014
Thirteen months, no color – Nov 25, 2014
Thirteen months, no color – Nov 29, 2014
Thirteen months, no color – Nov 29, 2014
Thirteen months, no color – Nov 29, 2014
  • 04
    Apr 15
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One year, no color - Oct 18, 2014

Going Silver: One Year, No Color

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I made it … one year and no highlights or lowlights! Unfortunately, these are the only photos I have of that time period. The lighting was awful. That said, it’s really not obvious that I no longer color my hair. I’m so lucky that I do not have the extreme hair color differences that other people deal with. I think such subtle color change makes the process easier. My heart goes out to those who have dark hair … the growing out process is tough. Fortunately, this phase is going fairly well for me.

This week, I ran into a woman at the grocery store and commented on her natural silver look. She said something quite curious. First of all, she thanked me and then, as an after thought said, “You know, I didn’t color my hair because it was expensive, I was too busy raising kids and working. But, I always felt like such a frump compared to all of my friends.” I told her I thought she looked beautiful and her face lit up. So, why is it that we are made to feel “frumpy” when we are accepting our age and the changes that come with it? And, why is it that men are thought to look more distinguished with their salt and pepper. It’s time to turn the table on that fable … 😉

One year, no color – Oct 18, 2014
One year, no color – Oct 18, 2014
  • 21
    Mar 15
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Going Silver: Eleven Months, No Color

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Well, well … I made it to eleven months! Almost a year without highlights/lowlights! And, the cool part … you really have to zoom in to see any silver sticking out! 🙂

In this picture, I am hanging out with some dear friends who live too far away … we all went to high school a “few” years ago! What an awesome group! And, what a spectacular afternoon/evening we all shared together! God is good! I thank God on a daily basis for the gift of age … and the opportunity to make more memories with wonderful friends! Life is good … even if you are going silver! 🙂

If you are inspired to try a trip down Silver Linings Lane, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, please subscribe to my blog. Let’s do this together!

Eleven months, no color - Sept 6, 2014

Eleven months, no color – Sept 6, 2014

  • 13
    Mar 15
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Ten months, no color - Aug 23, 2014 (My 50th Bday)

Going Silver: Ten Months, No Color

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So, the month of August is all about family celebrations – we have tons of birthdays (including my own). For me, August 2014 was all about finishing grad school, turning 50, and making it to 10 months with no color! And, I did it ALL! As for the no color part – I feel so liberated!! I’m sure the Statue of Liberty would be proud of me. “Enlightening the world” … with my silver! 🙂 Free and brave … yes, liberated is the word of the day! Especially in the going silver context – I hear and see it – A LOT! For me, the word illustrates tackling and overcoming the voices in my head and the negative social norms that permeate our environment on aging and hair color! I love feeling liberated …

And, I’m not alone! I have mentioned before that I find myself seeking out silver-haired people and making positive comments about their hair. At first, it wasn’t an intentional process, it was a curious one. Now, I can’t help myself … I want to know more of the stories behind the silver. Several weeks ago, I met a woman at the grocery store who at the end of her short silver story said, “Going natural is so  liberating”. That really resonated with me and now, due to awareness, I see women using the term online a lot! For example, here are several screenshots from a Facebook thread that a woman posted this week. The picture that went with this post showed a woman with a beautiful head of silver hair:

Screen Shot of Facebook Page

Screen Shot of Facebook Page

Good for this woman!! Now, I’m going to share some of the responses – they are priceless:

Screenshot from Facebook

Screenshot from Facebook

Now, if you liked those comments … you are going to love her final response:

Screenshot from Facebook

Screenshot from Facebook

Need I say more? If you are on the fence about going natural, I encourage you to join us and more specifically, join a support group to boost your confidence along the way. There are several on Facebook. I’m thinking of starting one myself. Life is easier when you have a strong support system. Let’s do this together. Think how nice it would be to post something and get the responses above and the confirmation that you are on the right track. In less than 48 hours, this shining silver star tallied up the following “likes”:

Screenshot from Facebook

Screenshot from Facebook

As always, here are some pictures to chronicle my journey down Silver Linings Pathway! If you are so inspired, I would love to hear your thoughts on going silver in the comments section below. Also, please subscribe to my blog. Let’s do this together!

Ten months, no color – Aug 3, 2014
Ten months, no color – Aug 3, 2014 (Yes, that’s the Kennedy Center in the background)
Ten months, no color – Aug 3, 2014
Ten months, no color – Aug 23, 2014 (My 50th Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 23, 2014 (My 50th Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 23, 2014 (My 50th Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 23, 2014 (My 50th Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 25, 2014 (Gma’s 93rd Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 26, 2014 (Mom’s Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 26, 2014 (Mom’s Bday)
Ten months, no color – Aug 26, 2014 (Mom’s Bday)

 

 

  • 07
    Mar 15
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Nine months, no color - July 24, 2014

Going Silver: Nine Months, No Color

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I made it … nine months and no color! In these pictures, the shift to silver is starting to show. The pix were cropped ( a lot), so the images are not very clear. But, this is when the doubts started to creep in. Thankfully, I had people like Cindy Joseph to encourage me. Her videos on the Pro-Age Rally and Revolution really helped me. Seeking support is important, I joined a few Facebook pages started by women who chose to go gray. If you are contemplating the natural look … I encourage you to join a support group. It is a great way to see that others have doubts and a place to seek encouragement from those who have gone all the way to gray!

I belong to two Facebook pages on going gray and will share a snippet of what I read this week. I am not going to expose the names of the people because the FB pages are “closed” to the public. One woman said: “Not having to color my hair every 3-4 weeks is almost as good as not having a period anymore! Just sayin’, lol” Love it and the sense of humor! 🙂 Totally agree! Here’s a note from someone in the contemplation stage and the initial response from the FB community:

Screen Shot

FaceBook Screen Shot

Facebook Screen Shot

Facebook Screen Shot

I am grateful for the Facebook platform because it offers a collaborative and supportive environment for those of us on the silver path. Aging is a gift and why our culture treats it like a curse is ridiculous and shameful. It’s time to change and there is a growing number of us who feel that way! Join the Pro-Age Mindset.

If you feel the same, please share your story in the comments below! And, join one of the going gray FB pages! I’m sure you will enjoy the experience.

Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
  • 27
    Feb 15
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Eight months, no color - June 26, 2014

Going Silver: Eight Months and No Color

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It is really fun to look back  through my photos and see the stages of going silver. This is my eighth month with no color and in these pictures it is still difficult to tell I’m going silver. Of course, these shots were taken with a camera phone and have been seriously cropped, but I think they are a good representation of me enjoying my life and going silver at the same time!

Eight months, no color – June 26, 2014
Eight months, no color – June 26, 2014
Eight months, no color – June 26, 2014

A dear friend of mine from high school is aware of my journey down Silver Linings Lane due to my Facebook posts. This week, she shared with me an article titled, “Gray hair becoming hallmark of coolness“. Well, how cool is that?! In the article, Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen Holton who has beautiful, long gray hair said, “Attitude and presence have a lot more to do with someone thinking that you are older than you are.” Now, isn’t that the truth!? How refreshing. And, I think she looks fabulous. Check her out:

Councilwoman Helen Holton ... Love her hair!

Councilwoman Helen Holton … Love her hair!

Now that I am determined to “go silver” … I find myself striking up conversations with random women who have silver sparkles and I absolutely love the stories they freely share. Today, a woman I met told me about her ‘aha’ moment.  She was closing in on the BIG 5 0 and had been coloring her hair for years. Her silver was so prominent that she had to color her roots every 2 weeks. She was growing weary of the process and demands on her time. One day, while coloring her hair at home some of the dye hit the wall in her bathroom and she couldn’t get the stain out. That was it. Her ‘aha’ moment. She hasn’t colored since and feels so liberated. I just love hearing these impromptu stories. These women are so inspiring to me. I’m so glad I’ve ventured down Silver Linings Lane. And, for those of you who are on the fence … this saying by Robyn O’Brien below might help …

Love this ... and, am living it!

Love this … and, am living it!

 

  • 06
    Feb 15
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Five months, close-up no color - March 25, 2014

Going Silver: Five Months and No Color

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My next few posts will include mainly pictures … to chronicle my journey down Silver Linings Lane. I wish I had thought to take more close-ups … but, these pix will show how I enjoyed my life during my transition from golden to gray, or as I like to say … silver! 🙂

What really amazes me about this journey is that people have not noticed that I am letting my hair go gray. If they do notice, they aren’t saying anything to me. What is so obvious to me – isn’t to others. We are definitely harder on ourselves than others. I bring it up all the time and people are like, “Your hair just looks blonde. I don’t see gray” Unbelievable. There is quite a bit of blondish brown stuff, but still. It is so much more obvious to me. This is what I love about the journey … I’m learning to take myself less seriously! Life is so much easier this way … less stress, less worries. We should be grateful to HAVE HAIR. Tons of people who go through chemotherapy know what that means. So, we should be grateful for what God has given us! I know I am!

Five months, no color – March 14, 2014
Five months, no color – March 26, 2014
Five months, close-up no color – March 25, 2014
Five months, no color – March 25, 2014
Five months, no color – March 26, 2014
Five months, no color – March 26, 2014
Five months, no color – March 26, 2014
Five months, no color – March 26, 2014
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