Published on 12, July, 2020
Just been for my first hair cut in more than 2 years.
Since the lockdowns I've enjoyed the quiet, the routines, the lack of pressure to be out in busy places socialising.
Went back to somewhere I have been before and I was totally unused to it. Pains, sensory overwhelm, couldn't understand convos, went into my shell and could have agreed to anything (but thankfully a day later I can see I didn't have my head completely shaved or anything too drastic, haha, phew.) When I eventually got home I was ready to meltdown. Fearful of the sudden change to my hair.
Last time I was there I had no idea I was autistic. I don't remember SO much overwhelm, but I do remember it being a 'bigger' experience but couldn't pinpoint how. Yet I also remember some times of complete quiet - which tended to be when there was lots of white noise from hair dryers, etc. I could zone out, kind of an out-of-body experience, but also ran the risk of getting disorientated and forgetting what I'm supposed to do, leading to panic.
I totally understand that hairdressers and barbers could be hugely overwhelming places now, and I'm seriously considering cutting my own hair, but I don't think I'd do well with that at all so for now I'll continue putting myself through this as infrequently as I can...
What are your experiences with hair cuts - especially before and after the lockdowns?
Also, have any of you ever confided in a hairdresser / barber about being autistic? Did it help?
dont really care about hair cut tbh... i usually go to barbers once a year so my look varies from short neat hair to shoulder length jesus hair lolused to have a mobile hairdresser who now i compare to others i realise she was pretty bad. she used to pretty much lift me off the chair by my hair she was so rough and he scissors where rusty and blunt so you feel a twang and a plucking of your hair most of the time and it was a bit stressful.... oh and she also ended up missing somehow and stabbing the scissors into my neck one time, which lucky they are so blunt that they didnt pierce the skin due to how blunt they are haha she also cut my dads ear one time too.... god mobile hairdressers are aweful.... i go to a barbers now and its total difference, no twanging of the hair, its pleasant all the way through, no needing to lift you up by your hair too as they have chairs they can pump up and down.
I love that length of hair. Hair length is a weird autistic quirk of mine. Touching hair, feeling its texture and smelling its aroma.
I have that quirk too, I don't think it's an autistic thing is it? Just a human thing. I can't bear it when men insist on shaving their heads when they aren't bald.
I'm the opposite. I hate having long hair and a beard. But I could NEVER shave myself properly. The barbershop does it for me.