Stick your thumb on your chin. Extend your index finger down about five inches from your chin. Look at the gap. That's how long my beard was. Emphasis on was. I just shaved my beard off, after having not touched the thing since early last May.

Beards have a unique way of covering up things about my face that I should have no reason to feel self conscious about, but do anyway. For example, with a beard, I have a pretty nice chin that almost rivals Dick Tracy's for girth. Sans beard? Why my chin looks as if it's still out on Holiday Vacation. And of course, any and all acne that a face full of stubble hides is all the more present once said beard is washed down the drain.

It's like taking all the gravitas out of Morgan Freeman's voice by having him suck on a big ol' helium balloon.

Ditching a beard changes everything from kissing to drinking out of a cup. Whereas before you'd have a beard and moustache to catch excess water from a drinking cup, it now flows down your face and chin with the greatest of ease.

I figure I'll remain beardless for the time being, but will probably grow one back in the next couple months. Only this time, I'll keep it at a manageable length.

matt out

p.s. It's amazing how much weight and emotion we carry in our hair and beards. If you ever feel as if you're stuck in a rut, get a significant haircut. Chances are it'll help change your outlook on things. I don't know why or how, but it works...