Returning to the Flattop Pt 1 by FlattopQuestioning

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When I turned 16 and got my driver’s license, I drove to the barbershop and got a flattop.

When I graduate High School, I drove to the barbershop and got a flattop.

I spent the last weeks of 2022 wrapping up my undergraduate degree, graduating from university, and I’ve now started 2023 with a creeping urge to go get another flattop almost 10 years later! I'm finally finished with school for now and it feels like this is a new chapter in my life. I'm ready for a change! After spending the last two years and some change growing my hair out, tossed in with a trim here and there, my hair is comfortably resting upon my shoulders! I can't lie, I enjoy being able to play with it, whether that be with velcro rollers, curling irons, braids, or whatever way I can style these luxurious locks! But that voice still exists in the back of my head urging me to get rid of all of it in favor of a tight horseshoe. But should I really do it?

That question has kept me up for almost two days straight now, resulting in me dragging myself up to my desk to do some development work this morning. I had spent all night researching the best local barbershops I might be able to trust with chopping off all my hair, running what I hope to be a set of Oster Classic 76's up and down my skull to remove the majority of the bulk before breaking out a pair of finer clippers to start making my flattop come to life. Along with this research came a whole set of doubtful questions. What sorts of looks would I get walking into a busy barbershop with shoulder length hair? What if someone makes a rude comment while I'm getting my favorite haircut? What if this new haircut wakes up something inside of me that I didn't know existed before? Would I ever be able to return to long hair? Would I even want to?

The clock finally crossed the 11 AM mark signaling lunch. I grabbed my keys and decided to go scope out a couple of spots that I had narrowed my choices down to. One I had previously gone to in the past for a flattop, and a new to me shop a bit further from my house. The shop I had gotten my second flattop at was the ideal scenario for me: A big glass window where I could almost be put on display while the shears trimmed me down. A classic barber’s chair with the flip around footrest. Bright lights to illuminate everything going on! It was a great place. But as I had grabbed my keys, hit the road, and decided to check the place out, I saw that it had permanently closed! So, it looks like if I were to go through with this, I'm going to a new shop.

I changed course and headed for the other shop. Thankfully, this location was on the same major road and not too far away. As I approached, I noticed just how much of a hole in the wall this place was. I dare not go in, but I was able to see the massive clear glass window with a couple of old school chairs and simple waiting area. Just my kind of place! Looking at reviews of the place, clients all seem to be pleased with the flattops that this place has produced. If I was going to get a horseshoe, this was going to be the place.

I'm giving myself about a week and a half to sleep on this before making a final decision. Knowing this site, I feel like I already know the answers, but should I really be going through with this? Anyone have any words of encouragement? Part of me hopes to be writing an update in the coming week with good news instead of holding on to my long locks.

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