I’m not a big fan of goals or plans because they have a great track record of failure. Not just mine, but everyone’s. Planning and goal setting is a uniquely human obsession as none of our animal brethren bother with it. I do enjoy organizing my time though, so very short term plans that don’t extend beyond the day or so I find useful. It’s one of the reasons I don’t want to stray too far from my current bodyweight because a powerlifting meet could materialize in the near future and I would have a handy excuse not to participate because I need time to diet for it. But this post is not about powerlifting. It’s about bearding.
Having found the Beardbrand YouTube channel a few days ago, I have discovered that my on again, off again bearded frustration is quite normal. Time, Patience and Commitment are the three key components for bearding and while I think I have ample shares of all three, I fall into the ungifted category when it comes to facial follicles. As a result, I overanalyze the ongoing growth, come to the early conclusion that it will never reach the pinnacle of bearded awesomeness I crave, and I tinker with it. I trim, I cut, I shape and I end up in a perpetual state of “what if.”
I am currently rocking what can best be described as a scruffy goatee. I have a full mustache, a goatee, and unshaven cheeks. While it isn’t intentional, it’s actually a legit beard style and I need to wear it confidently and with pride. It’s a stage along the continuum, but there’s no reason not to relish in the present and enjoy my current bearded state of being. Worrying about the future brings unwanted stress and anxiety, in life generally, but certainly in bearding as well.
The challenge that was laid out to me though is the Yeard. Eric Bandholz, urban beardsman and founder of Beardbrand, suggests every man must take the journey at some point. A full year of growth without trimming, cutting or shaping. It seems overwhelming to consider. I don’t know that I have it in me, but I do like the idea of a long term challenge that requires no interim planning or work of any kind. It goes nicely with my personal motto of not making plans. I literally can do more by doing less.
Having just had a birthday and having not shaved or trimmed since, I have a convenient start and end point for the Yeard if I were to pursue it. I wouldn’t trim, cut or shave until I turn 55. The possibility is intriguing. I will stop short of throwing down the gauntlet, but I am at least waving it around threateningly.
Day 13
Joe's Blog 