Glad to see that you all are still on here- it's time for me to come back here more often

yes, u should :) It helps me so much.

Yes you should! :)

Yes you should! :)

Coming here is so helpful! I pull a lot less when I check it daily, even if it is just to read other people's posts. It is an awesome support system!

I am in the trailer for an upcoming documentary about trich. It won't be out for a while, but if anyone is interested, I can post the link to the video and the documentary's Facebook page.

Sweet! Is it Trichster? I've seen the trailer and stuff, I'm pretty excited about it. So awesome that you're in it. :)

Hey everyone. I never really was good at this blog/diary type thing, but I do want to try to get on here more often, because I love to hear from all of you lovely ladies! :) My hair at this moment is probably the worst it has ever been...I have continued to shave it so as to make it harder to pull, but as soon as it gets long enough to grab, i start yanking again. I think I may just need to buzz it every couple of days. The pulling has been significantly less, it is just that it is taking forever for the bald spots to fill in- I am not going to tell myself I will be completely pull free on my head. My goal is for the bald spots to grow in and be even, and then I can try to eliminate it completely. I have not pulled my eyebrows (except for grooming purposes) for a very long time. I have about 2/3 of my eyebrows on each side completely full. I am beginning to think that maybe the edges won't grow back anymore. I am starting again on my eyelashes- I think I have been pull free with those for a week or so. Unlike my scalp hair, my eyebrows come in extremely fast! I pulled them all out around two weeks ago, and I can already hold my finger near my eye, blink, and feel them brush my finger- the bottom lashes are especially long.

My family had been planning to sell our house and move into another house we bought across town. We are in the process of listing the beautiful house that has been my home for 6+ years. I recently found out that we are most likely not moving to the house across town, but actually back to Phoenix, where I was born. At the end of the summer. In the middle of High School....can you say stressful?! I guess there are pros and cons to moving back. On one hand, I will be closer to family and will have a chance to start over with people who don't know my story. On the other, I will be almost 1,000 miles away from my friends here, I will be leaving the town I love, and the school I also love.

There is one thing that I know will make it easier for me- Having hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. All I want is to be able to go to a new high school with over 3,000 kids and not look like I have cancer or came from outer space. I want to go to school and not wear a hat and definitely not a wig. I don't want to be worried that my bandana will fall off or my eyeliner will melt off my face in the 120 degree weather. I really really REALLY want to have hair again. It used to be straight, blond, and down to ribs. Now it is brownish/ grayish, patchy, and uneven. To be honest, sometimes I look in the mirror and don't who I am looking at. I feel ugly and unworthy. I want to be beautiful again. Not for other people, but for myself. I want to do whatever it takes.

Using Affirmations will help you feel as beautiful as you are. The self suffers so much from trich, but there are things you can do to hide the bare areas, make-up and accessories you can use while your hair grows in. There are supplements you can take to speed things along- and take for stress protection to keep you from pulling more. So look for the positive, and things you can control. Look for a "Hair Topper". This will cover the top, sides and back and is cooler than wearing a full wig- it comes with/without bangs. I have a human hair piece, easy to maintain and no one in my family/friend circle knows I wear this. It blends with my hair color and looks natural, I can even wear a ponytail or other up do with accessories. For Eye Lashes make up along with fake lashes looks amazing. I like the lashes from "Winks by Georgie". georgiebeauty.com The adhesive is infused with organic blue chamomile to soothe delicate skin and No parabens, phthalates, or formaldehyde is used. Another reason I like these lashes is that you can re-use the same lashes over and over- with proper care. For Brows, I like to use "Wunderbrow", this is a light gel that lasts for days and won't come off until you take it off with the enclosed cleaner.
As for those Affirmations:
Upgrade and install new patterns of thinking to inspire good thoughts about yourself. This will help with stress and moving to a new area. It will also help with hair growth as stress depletes this process.
Here's your List: Repeat these to yourself often.
I am worthy.
I am capable.
I am patient.
I am smart.
I am generous.
I am accepting of myself.
I am successful.
I acknowledge my accomplishments.
I love and like myself.
I am a good person.
I value and appreciate my talents, skills, and abilities.
I ask for and allow help and support.
I am happy.
I am creative.
I have close, satisfying relationships.
Every day I deepen and expand my capacity to receive and give love.
As for relieving everyday stress, try taking a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes. Being in nature is very calming.
I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks! I will have to look up those products. And yes, affirmations are wondeful- it is just a matter of believing them :)

I also switched schools in the middle of high school, and it was really tough. But you are right - it will be a brand new start and if you go into it with that attitude you will do great and make friends quickly. (I went into it with a horrible attitude and that is mostly why it was hard.)

And of course you want normal hair when you start at a new school, but ultimately, your hair is no one else's business. If you choose to be open about trich that is really great and very brave, but it is also fine to say that your hair falls out due to a medical condition and leave it at that. It sounds very cliche, but it is also true - people who are worth getting to know won't care what your hair looks like.

manda, good advice..I agree.
One day at a time-stay strong!

Agree with Manda, very good advice. Such a big goal can be overwhelming.. Just do what you can, that's all you can do. We have trich, it sucks, but there are much worse things. OH man I can't believe I just said that to a young woman in high school! Sorry!! Hair is very important to women, and particularly in school when people aren't as understanding and accepting.

I just try to do my best, have small achievable goals, try to stay positive, and not beat myself up when I slip.

Tgose affirmations Nabby listed are great. It's scientifically proven (almost positive) that affirmations, when used several times a day, every day, actually work. When you believe something it's more like to happen, when it's something you can control. Affirmations like "my hair is thick and long" are also great, because it helps you envision your goal. Also "my hands are calm and still by my side".

xo I'm here for you if you ever want to chat!

how have you been these days, lovelylashes?