Me and my Greys

Being a grown up isn’t always fun. Every body knows that, right? It has it’s moments and I’m absolutely fine with the whole idea of growing up. I must admit that when I turned 25, I remember freaking out a lot. Then 30 hit and I was like, “Woohoo baby! I’ve made it! Let’s celebrate with something just for me!” no big party, let me spend the party money on myself and have a massive Tattoo to commemorate the moment. I love my tattoo – I forget it’s there sometimes and then when I remember it makes me smile because of why I got it and the whole thought process leading up to it. (will blog about that when I update it soon)

Anyway, this year I’m going to be turning 35 –Woohoo!! Ok, but let’s take a breath shall we.

Much like my many turning points in my birthday life, I spend a lot of time thinking about the last five years and how I want to stamp the memories. I think I know what I want to do, but I’m still going to come to a conclusion closer to the date. (Oh and no, my birthday isn’t any time soon – I’m preparing for it ahead of time)

So why write about it? Well, lately I’ve been doing my hair and there are more and more grey hairs popping up. It’s amazing how I immediately want to either pull them out or cut them. Then after they started growing back in teams, I asked myself the question, “why do I have a problem with them?”

It’s amazing how we are surrounded by a culture that see it as important to always look young and fresh and “with it”. I’ve been wrestling with myself mentally about my position on these little greys.

It’s one thing to have them in the back, hidden and out of sight, but when they start saluting you with every look in the mirror – I don’t know whether to get upset or just smile and wave back.

I’m honestly hoping that they continue to grow in a group because a patch would be cool but at the same time, what if they don’t. Would I be ok with that? Is 35 too young to be naturally grey? Why isn’t it ok to be grey? Isn’t it a good sign of wisdom and growing gracefully?

Many around me have said they colour their hair to hide the greys, and I understand that – but why? Why do it? Why waste so much money trying to stay looking young – when I’m not. I’m going to be 35. There are many great people who are 25 and have grey hair. Does that make them ‘old’? isn’t old a mind set and not the way you look? Rather the way you live your life.

Even if my little greys don’t look nice right now, I’m sure if I give them some time – they’ll grow past that awkward length and start to become a statement piece and not an indication of my age, stress or lifestyle.

I think this will be a part of my journey – growing older and embracing the challenges and social requirements that come with it. I don’t want to colour my hair because it’s just another thing to remember that’s not important. So I’m not going to.

How do you feel about your greys? When did you start noticing them and what did you do? No shame in either response of embrace or colour – let me know, I’m keen to learn a lot from you.