Over the last few weeks I have tried to reflect on the past year. What I have been through. What this experience has meant to me and how it may have changed me. All I keep thinking is...How do we define a year? How do we measure it?
Technically its 12 months....52 weeks....365 days. Wasn't this a leap year? An extra day to transition. Another day to measure.
Here are some of the ways I've measured my Year of Going Grayt
- A mirror. Everyday, multiple times a day a mirror. When a women begins her transition the mirror becomes like a drug and its not about vanity. Its about curiosity, impatience, wonder and analysis. A year equals really getting to SEEING yourself.
- It is possible to measure a year with a ruler. A ruler and, in my case, a patient, loving husband willing to measure my silvering roots. A year equals six inches of silver.
- For some, this year can be measured in savings. Less salon visits, no store bought dye. For some, this year is measured in bonus money for NEW SHOES and MORE NEW SHOES.
- How about measuring it in time saved? Two plus hours every month not hiding out in the bathroom chemically destroying our hair. A dye free year equals gaining 24 hours. In a leap year I actually gained two days.
- Can we measure a year in shampoo? NoPoos, Blue Shampoos, Organic, Clarifying...A year equals 4 bottles of shampoo.
- Finally, photo documentation. One year = 169 root shots.
For me I will measure this year in the confidence I have gained by being a more natural self. I will measure it in the treasured friends and cohorts who have held my hand through the questions, the skunk stripe, the severe impatience. And, I will measure it in those six inches of joyfully silver strands.
One year down and shooting for a pre-New Years completion...
And with that completion, a transitional slideshow.
And with that completion, a transitional slideshow.
