When I first started full time I was so afraid that if I cut so much as a single hair, I would go back to the way I was. It terrified me to be honest. So I let my hair grow out for 7 years straight. My hair was 3 feet long by that point but it was a pain taking care of really long hair. It snarls up easily and requires a lot of brushing. When I went full time I can remember my hair was barely over my ears. I was self conscious for a while.