I can always tell when it's time for my next haircut because I instinctively start wearing it pulled back. I used to wear my hair pulled up and back all the time. I was all about the funky braids and twists and such. Now I try to wear it down, at least for work. The weekends are when it gets pulled back, into the I-just-don't-care ponytail/bun.

I find it interesting that now-a-days, putting your hair up or back is often the relaxed state. (The exception of course is the fancy up-do. But that's not what I'm talking about.) It used to be that women always wore their hair up. It was a sign of being a woman -- only unmarried maids wore their hair long and straight. I suppose it made a lot of sense from a practical stand point. When you spend your hours sweating over an open coal fire it's easier not to think about your hair going up in flames. Then there are the sayings that go along with it. "Letting your hair down."

Having your hair down used to be the wild, non-public view. It was an intimate moment between spouses and lovers. Is it the over sexing of society that caused that flip? Having our hair down all the time puts us in a constant state of titalation? Is it just the rebellion against the old fashioned norms? Prove you aren't your mother's (or should we say great-grandmother's) daughter, subject to her rules?

Sure wearing it down is easier than doing a fancy up-do everyday. But pulling it into a bun is a lot easier than making sure it doesn't fly out in all directions and the bangs aren't too funky. In any case, I'm glad I'm going to the salon tomorrow.