Becoming more self-sufficient

Learning a new technique for cutting my own hair.
Reasonably even in the back.

I’m starting to feel like a baby homesteader. A retired suburban homesteader. As it turns out, I’m kind of digging it. But that’s the hippie living-off-the-land in me talking.

Since the virus came knocking, I’ve been doing my own pedicures, making English Muffins from scratch and cutting my husband’s hair. Then there’s the homegrown cannabis. Baguettes. Tortillas. I even made cheese – Indian paneer. As I write this, Dale is tearing apart a pallet I scavenged for art projects.

Today I cut my hair! I got a text from Lisa, my stylist, who said they were reopening, and she was scheduling appointments. I would love to go, but I said I’m being cautious as things reopen and am not yet comfortable going to a salon. Lisa is such a special person. This is what she wrote:

Completely respect that!

When you’re ready, know that we are 50% capacity with every other station being left unused and only the two end shampoo bowls are used. Masks are required for everyone for the entire appointment and temperatures are checked upon arrival. We always utilize safety and sanitation measures and have amplified our usual best practices. We also offer a treatment bun instead of a blow dry for those who wish to spend as little time in the salon as possible. I know you’re at high risk and you need to be more vigilant than most. I’m happy to take care of you in however you are comfortable when you’re ready.

You can’t ask for much more than that, but I can’t see myself getting a haircut or pedicure anytime soon. I’m kind of a minimalist by design – no polish on my toes, somewhat longish hair requiring fewer cuts, no color and no layers. It was supposed to be a low-maintenance retirement lifestyle, but it morphed into a pandemic lifestyle. I love it when a plan comes together.

I Googled a few how-tos and settled on a quick test. I pulled my hair into a scrunchie at the base of my neck and then brought it around over my shoulder, lined it up between my fingers and used hair scissors to snip off the ends. I hardly cut any this first time around. I just wanted to see if I could do it.

I’m calling it a success.

I wish I knew how to fix things around the house. As I recall from those workplace personality tests, I’m an ISTP, and we’re supposed to be mechanical. Obviously, there’s been some sort of mistake. But Dale’s pretty good at that stuff, so we balance each other out.  

Maybe becoming more self-sufficient is where I was headed all along, but it took retirement and the pandemic to bring my inclinations to the surface. It has been a pleasant surprise.  

8 thoughts on “Becoming more self-sufficient”

  1. So if you have it loose, is it even? Mine grows fast and is now halfway down my back. I’d love to lop off several inches, but I’m afraid it will look uneven when I wear it loose. I guess the answer is to keep wearing it in a ponytail.

    1. I added a picture showing the back. Looks reasonably even to me, but then I didn’t cut much off. Maybe try 1/2 inch at a time?

  2. I wear my hair very short because various sections of hair want to go in opposing directions when they get to a certain length – starting at about two inches. So I’m very excited to finally have an appointment for next week since I normally get a hair cut every three weeks. I am a little concerned due to my age (have children who are card carrying AARP members) and whatever unknown underlying conditions which may be lurking. Assurances have been made by the stylist and I can always leave if it doesn’t feel safe. I live alone and have faithfully been following all the safety guidelines. Family is scattered across the country. No one who knows me would ever call me a hugger, but mostly what I’m looking forward to next week is the gentle touch of a fellow human.

    1. I loved your comment about hugging. I’m not a hugger, either, but I had hug dreams the other night! I hope your hair appointment goes well.

  3. Oh Jean,I hear you.I miss hugging my girlfriends,having coffee dates, art group meetups and playing cards.. all kinda high risk for who knows how long.Enjoy your hair appt.wear a mask.

    Me— I am using this time to let the box hair color grow out and letting the very short hair grow out..I can now pull back into the tiniest of ponytails and I’m just gonna regress to my hippie days,too..Going am naturel for now and see where it goes.It’s not like I have any important social occasions to dress up for.

    I’m almost always in water this time of year: the pool, the swimming hole, the pool. So slicking my hair back with a headband works too.

    Self sufficiency: I have been happily married since I was a very young girl and our “duties” have kinda (happily) fallen along old fashioned gender lines: Ken is very handy! And I mostly cook and know how to deep clean. I was a GREAT TRAVEL AGENT for the two of us and planned every excursion in great detail,saving money along the way— but I am out of a job on that account… till who knows when.. So.. I am using this time to learn a few home maintenance duties..at my age, not a bad idea, no matter what,right?

    Your natural hair is beautiful! My own hair is that silvery too.. I wish I had NEVER started coloring!!

    1. I did color my hair for a few years but gave up about about 12 years ago. It is hard growing it out. I liked to think of myself as a cat of many colors. A tiny ponytail is the beginning of low-maintenance hair!

  4. I can’t say I’ve learned any new tricks throughout all of this. In many ways, it hasn’t been that different from my life before the pandemic. Is that pathetic?

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