Long hair is one of the cheapest luxuries to have. There are no costly visits to the hairdresser-all you need are shampoo, conditioner (lots of it), and a nice brush. Then just let time take over. I started growing my hair out to see how long it would get. It crept from shoulders to, mid-back, to waist, to hip, to thigh, and to knee over the years with only minimal maintenance. It was absolutely gorgeous. I could wrap it around my wrists or wear it draped like a scarf. When I showered, it was a warm silky mass down the length of my back.

Long hair has its disadvantages as well. Once it exceeds the length of your arms, it becomes difficult to brush. It takes forever to dry. It cannot be easily coaxed into any style other than a simple braid or bun. It is constantly in the way if it is down, and if it is piled atop your head it is constantly threatening to come loose. It can age a young woman and has the habit of looking unprofessional in the workplace.

And of course, any long-haired woman (or man) these days is all too familiar with the Locks-of-Love pushers. These strangers come up to you in public places and tell you quite bluntly that you should donate your hair to children who can't grow their own. Sometimes they can be quite persistent about it, even when you explain that you actually enjoy your long hair and have no intention of cutting it. Their behavior equates to someone complimenting you on your jacket and then telling you to donate it to charity, or praising you for your three fine children and then pressuring you to give one up for adoption. Do not decide cut your hair because these people make you feel guilty. If you want to donate your hair, that's okay, and if you don't want to donate your hair, that's okay too. It's your decision, not the decision of the man sitting next to you on the bus or some lady accosting you in the sock department of Macy's.

If you're thinking about cutting your hair, take your time deciding. You may feel that having long hair is part of your identity. Your partner may have clearly indicated how much he or she loves your hair. Just like you grew your hair out for yourself, you should only cut it off when you are ready. Once those scissors saw through the braid, there's no turning back.

If you decide that you are ready to lose a few feet of hair, find someone you trust to do the deed. You will be radically changing your look and should feel confident that the person wheedling the scissors will take good care of you. Be sure to take pictures of your hair beforehand-once your hair is a common length again, people have a hard time believing you were once able to sit on it. Make up your mind about donation and stick to your decision! If you choose to donate, some salons will collect the hair and send it off for you. If you plan on keeping the hair, let your stylist know so that he or she can braid and securely tie it before cutting. And if you have no sentimental attachment to hair that is in such bad condition that no child would dare wear it as a wig except on Halloween, don't feel bad about letting it fall to the salon floor to be swept up.

When I decided to cut my hair, it was knee-length and still growing. My identity has not changed. Because my hair now reaches the middle of my back, I suspect that most people still view me as a long-haired woman. The husband who was fascinated with my long hair still tells me I am beautiful. I find that I can enjoy my hair more often at this length rather than worrying about tangling it. I can easily wash it in the bathtub. I can drive with the car windows open. I can stuff it inside a hat. No regrets. And when I see a woman with hair past her hips, I make a point of telling her how beautiful it is.