How I did it: It started only with a vague idea: grooming is unpleasant.  At the time, I was conducting my daily eyebrow tweeze clean-up, when suddenly the question "Why am I hurting my face?" popped into my head.  I couldn't think of a reasonable answer.  Why did I groom at all? Everyone I interact with reacts to my character, to my personality, to my kindness and to my attitude.  Why did I think that my appearance should "sway" them to think something else about me?  And what would they think?  That, can you believe it, I have HAIR? But wait a minute. Everyone has hair. More importantly, I have hair.  And to express disgust about an aspect of my body so much so that I would spend hours of my life destroying said hair seemed wrong.  I wanted to love myself.  And loving myself meant loving my hair.

Lessons & tips: If you're wary, try weaning.  Make a goal of stopping for one week, then two, then four. Remind yourself as you look at your legs or under your arms that any aversion you have is a result of conditioning from society.  Yes, that's really what everyone looks like.  You're normal.  Remember that and cut yourself some slack.  

Resources: Boy, there's not a lot out there in the form of positive anti-shaving support.  But if you know any folks that are earth-friendly, recyclers, vegetarians, or "hippies," it might help. People who run against the grain or who also have a strong sense of self will be more open to supporting you. Just knowing one other woman who's stopped shaving will help you feel better about stopping.  

Jan 03, 2009, 08:18PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers