Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dancing

So its 2:27 am and I have 'ditched' a bunch of friends (one whose birthday we were celebrating tonight, and one being my 1 year plus boyfriend) from their night of dancing.

for as long as i can remember, dancing is one thing i have never been able to do - with other people. As I explained to a friend as I was leaving the club (albeit one with a very positive vibe), I would much rather do heroin. And I wasn't kidding about that.

So what does this have to do with being a very hairy girl/woman/something like that? I dont know. But I was hoping you could tell me. It's really hard to write anything beyond this because I have no idea what else to say.

I am sorry that my updates to this blog have been sporadic at best. For the past year or so I have been very lucky to be in a really wonderful relationship with a really wonderful man, someone I truly truly love. I ran out of time to shave my legs completely for his family's Thanksgiving dinner and was only able to go as high as, say, my mid thigh. It looked like really bad haircut, but ON A WOMAN'S LEG. And he didn't give a shit.

I don't really want to talk about my relationship right now.  Its kind of another topic. But i do want to talk about dancing. Sometimes I will dance at home, in my room, but always alone. I did go to a show by myself sometime ago and sure did dance in a room full of people, but not one person did I know.

For some reason, I have always felt that dancing has very much to do with identity. Especially, at least in my life and personal experience, my identity as a woman. It was only a year or so ago that I began to feel comfortable wearing a dress. Otherwise it was always baggy jeans and sneakers. For several years I toyed with the idea of a sex change, but a part of me knew that it wasn't the right answer. But where does all of this leave me (and perhaps you too)? In the middle of nowhere perhaps.....  or as just a confused and conflicted person.

I want to know how you all feel when you dance with others (if you have done so). Is it a big deal? Something you had to work up to? Or has it been something that has always been easy? If you hold back, does it have to do with holding back in sharing other parts of your life too (like things that are affected by hirsutism. though it can be hard to gauge and understand the many ways in which this touches our lives)? For me,  a sincere conversation with my body is something that I seldom have, because for that I really have to let go. and that involves movement; uncontrolled,  unadulterated honest  movement.  As hairy women, we spend a lot of time obsessing about our bodies, staring at them, scrutinizing them, thinking about them all the time, controlling them very severely, but  letting them control our lives and our relationships with others. But ultimately I find, it is the relationship we have with ourselves that is controlled, restricted even. obviously.

I do not know if this conversation (with my body) can ever be something that someone else can be part of. First of all, I cannot even be honest with anyone in my life about this 'cage' (hair) that surrounds my body. I shouldn't assume so much, I suppose. I went for a run today, my first real run, by myself of course. It was short, but it felt good. I could really feel the many ways in which I tie myself up, and tie myself down. I could feel how I clench my jaws, my fists. Squint my eyes. Tense my shoulders, Stiff my legs and back......

Where is this all going, I dont know. Will this relationship last, I dont know.


Much love to you all, sincerely, because you are the only ones I have ever been able to be honest with about this part of my self and life. You know, even though this is the internet, I am not writing to a vacuum, I am writing to you. And that means a lot to me.

Thank you for reading.

and please remember, even though I dont respond to comments or update frequently, I read every word you all write.

3.01am.

24 comments:

  1. I just wanted to repost this comment to assure you see it. I posted it on a previous entry of yours but it was old.

    I am 19 and until recently, I thought I was the only person dealing with this. I have thought and attempted suicide (I know, juvenile and idiotic) after countless relationships ended on account of the guys I dated not accepting my 'condition'. I am just so excited to know that I am not a freak and I'm not the only one of us out there. Thank you so much.

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  2. But ultimately I find, it is the relationship we have with ourselves that is controlled, restricted even.

    That is so true. I completely agree.

    Dancing with others has always been a big deal for me, though not just because of hair, but because of a general lack of self confidence, something that is never well served by being hirsute into the bargain. :)

    This may sound kind of silly, but dancing has always been an extension, in my mind from childhood on, of a fairytale. A man asks you to dance and it opens up a world of possibility. It's okay, you can laugh, I'm laughing too. I put an enormous amount of pressure on myself that going out on the dance floor is more than just "fun." I must impress others. It's hard to let go of that. When I do dance, I'm pretending to have the assurance I need, and I don't know quite how well that translates. I sure feel awkward doing it, and try not to think about how I may have looked later.

    I think awareness has got to count for something, though, right? That we get to know ourselves, and now and then challenge our hang-ups?

    Lovely post, I like how it made me think.

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  3. Anonymous please do not let this world bully you into suicide. There are lots of men dying to give you a hug.
    ..A..you are not the first hirsute woman I have heard confess some pondering on the subject of changing sex.

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  4. Help needed!!!!

    Hi to everyone reading this post! I'm 22 years old and suffer from hirsutism- badly! I have hair everywhere, even on my face and over the past 6 months it's making me so depressed? I have suffered from this since i was 14 and it never really got me so down, i think it's because i would try and block it all out? But, for some reason i seem to have let it all get internalised and i hate seeing my face and body on a daily basis? I can't seem to snap out of it? Laser treatment has not been successful for me and feel like there are no more options??

    I feel like a complete circus freak show. I can't socialise "normally" i have no confidence and talking to guys well i just want to crumble up and hide under the biggest heaviest rock on the planet!!!

    I'm sorry to sound so depressive, i just feel i need to talk to people that really understand what it's like? I really don't know what to do? My life just feels so empty and i haven't felt happy in a long time?? Help!!!

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    1. Honey, all I can say is that you are not alone, I feel exactly the same way. All I can hope for is that laser treatments work on my face/body and its no guarantee itll work. I'm so tired of wondering how badly my 5o'clock shadow is showing. Its so demoralizing, it makes you feel less than human. But you are human, a human girl. You have value, you are not your cage of hair. I love you, and I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

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  5. I do not know how many times I have read these one off cries for help . Many hirsute woman end up living in a shell of your own making . You hate it and see the harm but its the lesser of two pains. You want help, cry HELP, but never heard from again. No nice guy is going to pick up that rock you hide under , hit you on the head, and drag you by the hair back to his cave, but how else is anyone ever going to have a relationship with you? You know what you are doing to yourself and people who actually like you. Have a little more courage.

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  6. So, never having entered a blog of any sort, just the act of writing this is a big deal. I'm in my thirties, and my condition is getting worse. if that's possible.
    I've had boyfriends in the past, and I always felt I had to hide something or be ashamed of my body. The phone doesn't ring as much anymore and I don't think it will. I truly feel that female hairiness is an unspoken shame put upon us and unless there are those brave enough to speak out..well now I'm just rambling. I just don't know how to deal with it anymore.

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  7. Hi there... I've seen that the host of this blog hasn't written in a while, but it seems that there is a true need for dialogue and support for women with hirsutism.

    I'm currently back to seeing doctors (which I've avoided intermittently over the years because of multiple bad experiences), and am finally dealing with the huge affect it has had on my mental health via psychotherapy.

    As I try to come to grips with this myself, I'm thinking of starting a non-profit dedicated to providing an online support network for those with hirsutism. Does anyone have any thoughts or feedback? Good idea?

    Thanks...

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. I am 18 years old, and hirsutism for me only started after i came off roaccutane (acne treatment) that was a year and a half ago. the past year and a half has been terrible and its got to the point where i dont want to leave the house. It is all i think about, and its getting me down. i have long hair so that covers a bit of the problem, however when its windy i have to hold my hair over my face and its ridicouls looking. i have alot of hair under my chin as well. i have recently went to the doctors to talk about this condition. it was a very hard thing for me to do as ive never talked about it to anyone. The nurse took hormone tests and they came back normal. i was sent for a scan of my ovaries. that came back normal. The first doctor i went to wasnt very helpful or supportaive and only gave me vaniqu cream which isnt doing my much help but im still using it. i went to see another doctor 5 days ago and i just broke down and told him how much it was runing my life- its got to the stage where i am not leaving my room. he was extreamly helpful, he has sent a letter to my local hospital in Belfast for laser treatment. I am praying this works for me as i cant stand the thought of having to live my life like this!
    I have also got thick blak hair around my nipples and stomach. however i am not been treated for this as it is something i feel i can cope with (hopefully)

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  10. Anne K, there already is one: http://cystersinaction.ning.com/ You all ladies are welcome to join :)

    And yes, it is true, merchvent, there are cries for help and when you do reach out, so often they disappear... I know why they do, I just wish they didnt...

    Dance is one of the most important things (i think, the most important!) in my life. Not really the club dancing as such, but the modern dance, one on the stage. I went to my first class when i was a little girl with monkey body and was laughed at. Never came back to any sort of gym/club that required showing off your body. But now I am 28 and spend my evening in theatres watching dancers on stage, wishing i was there. Some months ago, it happened. There was a girl, a hirsute girl, dancing on the stage in front of people, dancing and singing beautifully, audience loving her. Another time there was a short girl, another time a guy with one arm. I wish I had not listened to laughter of others; I wish someone told me I didnt have to. I am not going to start dancing now but I am looking for a career in choreography and dance music. Do not ever ever ever let the hair stop you from doing what you want. If someone has something to say about it, let them, and then they will get on with their lives and you get on with yours. Just dont give up...

    This is a truly beautiful blog. Are there going to be any more posts?

    sophie.

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  11. I just came across your blog, and it's such a relief to know I'm not alone. I'm 17 and it's really hard to deal with when all of your friends are showing off their bodies and you're wrapped up, or how no one gets why it takes sooo long to get ready to go out. I went out dancing last night, and I felt self conscious constantly.

    This sucks. Will it get any easier?

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  12. Hi i am 30 yrs old and i suffer with my "condition" daily. My sister is the only person that has ever seen my back hair she actually removed it and it was great for 1 day, neither of us ever mention it thank god but no one else has ever seen the extent of the hair growth, i thought about burning myself so that i would scar and it would never grow back thought about scrapping my skin with a razor blade, but for 5 yrs or so that has stopped i am married to a wonderful man that has NEVER seen me naked he knows though i didnt tell him but how could he not see the stubble on my face neck arms chest etc but he never says a word about it. This has held me back i didnt go to college because i was afraid of new ppl noticing, turned down good jobs because comments were made, and dont have girlfriends because im embarresed to change in front of anyone, or be asked about it thank goodness i found your blog it has truly given me a safe place.

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  13. Has anyone heard about the TRIA laser hair removal? Kim Kardsahian uses it....u can check it on youtube.
    Anyways, i was wondering if anybody ahs heard of it, used it, or knows someone who has used it.
    Im in a very desperate situation, i have LOTS of hair on my face, its very dense and has ruined my face pretty much.
    So if anyone knows any inside info on that product please i would like to know!
    a_malik01@hotmail.com

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  14. Today wasnt too bad makeup looked pretty good i could see the shadow slightly but hardly enough to panic thank goodness for a good day

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  15. HELLO!
    Im 24 and getting married in 4 weeks. I have suffered for this condition for as long as i remember. I have to shave my face every morning in the shower, i know wat it is like. But seriously people love who you are, stop this depression crap. No person will ever love you until you learn to love yourself. I look in the mirror and find myself extremely attractive even though i know there is hair and that i am overwieght. TIP for everyone live life, love who you are and screw every idiot who teases.
    Love Scarlette

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    Replies
    1. I do the same thing, and I also find myself extremely attractive even with a thick beard, hairy chest,arms and back. I shave in the shower daily, and I try not to let it bug me. I work all day 7am-6pm and i'm sure you can see stubble by the end of the day, but I try to keep my head high and I continue to head forward. A hairy body WILL NOT STOP ME! No boyriend and 22, but who cares, I try to live life to the fullest!

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  16. THIS SHIT FUCKIN SUCKS!!!!

    I've just come to realise there is a name for my hairy disorder and it just makes it more hard to deal with!

    I've burned out my time on the internet searching for answers and reading other girls life stories and the more I read the more painful it gets. All I have been reading about is problems and pseudo-solutions! I have not heard abouT ONE NOT EVEN ONE FUCKIN SUCCESSFUL END OF STORY!

    For fuck sake is there anybody out there capable of helping us out instead of leaving us full of hopes while thing get worse every fuckin year?!

    They can do breast implants, change your skin colour, pierce and tatoo... why the fuck it seems not a simgle person is working on this.

    At least say it to our faces...

    (sorry bout all those fuckin fucks... )

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  17. i like this blog.......
    Alabama Jobs | Careers & Recruitment at Jobscharger.com
    http://www.jobscharger.com/JobState/-Alabama-.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. its so nice to know im not alone. when this started there was no internet and i really thought i was the only one. information was a lot harder to find then! i find the worst thing now is having to lie about it, i live a complete lie by removing all the hair from my body. most people in my life dont even know about it, not even my family. ive become so good at hiding things. they have no idea that i am different from them but i know and it has affected every single relationship i have ever had with another human being. i have been to the doctors so many times but there is no treatment. not for the hair or the psychological impact this has had on me, either having to lie or be treated as a freak, and people do treat you differently when you are hairy, a lot differently. we know its whats inside that counts when you get to know someone but at first sight we are all programmed to judge people on what they look like. human beings are social animals fighting against a natural instinct to remove any sign of weakness from their group and being hairy is a sign of weakness. a deformity. and its not even the sort of deformity that you can talk about. you cant get help, and definitely not sympathy. because its a joke. did you hear the one about the hirsute woman? the one that felt she could never fit into society or have a real life. it tears me up to think about the way things might have been if i had not been made this way. i know so many people are in a worse position and have such worse problems and i feel for them and am so thankful i am healthy in other ways but i wish i could just really know what it feels like to feel normal. to let go. to take part in life and not be scared.

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  19. Hi. I don't know if I have an answer for you as yet, but I would like you to try something if you will? It's a new, entirely natural product from Australia which is 100% natural and safe unlike most products of its kind, and it has 100% money back guarantee. I am offering 3 bottles of this for free to the lovely girl who blogs this blog to test it out and see if it works for her. I have been selling it in the UK now since March this year. So far I have not had any money back requests or any complaints at all about the product. If you agree to give it a fair test, the only request I have is that you will blog about it once you've used it, and tell other fellow hirsutism sufferers about it. Let me know what you think. Tania

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  20. I have been using HairyCure and I am amazed by the results just after 2 painless treatment with the HairyCure natural herbal oil, and would highly recommend anyone trying it out. I was so happy with the results I am now starting selling it myself. If after 3 months you are not completely satisfied I will refund your money in full. http://www.vzhairandglamour.com/en/hairycure/

    ReplyDelete
  21. doctor after doctor, medication after medication, wasted all my money on laser sessions that made things even worse, which I honestly didn't think was possible, now...diagnosed with idiopathic hirsutism...am on 4 medications but I don't get it..will they help...will it be permanent ...my doctor confused me...is there any way that this could actually end?

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  22. Oh heavens no! I can't even stomach the thought of hugging or having intimate conversations. I have excess hair growth on my cheeks and chin. My attempts to look presentable by plucking and waxing have left me with ingrown hairs, acne and discoloration. I always look down or pull my shirt to my mouth to hide my chin. I do this subconsciously. I don't date because the idea of him wanting to touch my face or be close to it is absolutely terrifying.

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