About four months after pregnancy, I smugly assumed I avoided the hair loss that follows pregnancy. I am so lucky. I thought to myself. And I knew I was. I just knew it.

And then, after a shower, I noticed an exorbitant amount of hair that collected in my Wet Brush (a must have for any gal with long, fine hair). Well, I hadn’t washed my hair in more than a few days. It could just be that, I thought. And then it kept happening. After every single shower.

Fast forward to Friday night when I was standing in line to get into the Garth Brooks concert, and another patron said, “Whose hair is this? It’s long and blonde. Gross!”

I hid my head in my hands and tried to pretend like he couldn’t see my hair waving in the cool fall evening air. I am almost seven months removed from having my sweet little boy, and I am still losing hair. When, oh when does it stop?

I have long hair; I have kept my hair decently long after I donated it to Locks of Love my senior year of high school. Ever since recovering from the trauma of cutting off 15 inches of hair (and the subsequent mourning at Macaroni Grille), I’ve been way too scared to cut more than a few inches off the length once it returned to its former glory. Seriously, I look at my hairdresser, Mandie, a little cock-eyed every time she suggests we cut off more than two inches. I’ve never been confident enough to cut my hair again.

Maintaining long hair has enough problems on its own without it falling out. I often fear that I will one day look in the mirror and see this:

Me, in forty years, holding onto my long locks, but always having them on top of my head. Let’s be real, my hair is in a bun on top of my head right now. I’m pretty sure it has been like that for the last few days months: all in the name of SAHM ease.

I often think about the end of pregnancy when I think about the prospect of baby number 2; I know the last month is totally worth it when you see your little one, but my goodness, those last few weeks are tough. The best part about the end of pregnancy? The hair: the long, thick, shiny, glorious hair.

For me, that hair stuck around for the first few months. I felt like those locks were a consolation prize for feeling not quite like myself. When I started losing my hair, it was a kick in the gut. Along with other various long hair problems, here are a 10 problems you’ll encounter due to postpartum hair loss:

1. Your vacuum doesn’t work because the roller bar is suffocated with hundreds of hair strands.

2. On that note, you’ll spend more time cleaning your vacuum than actually vacuuming.

3. The MINUTE your little one finds their hands, you’ll lose hair in droves. Don’t worry; you’re not going bald.

4. Your meal prep takes double the amount of time because you’re searching for rogue hairs that may have escaped into your mixing bowls.

5. Leaving the house after dressing your little one requires one last sweep over his/her clothing to make sure you didn’t give them any added accessories (i.e. hair vest).

6. You spend more time hoping people don’t notice your hair on your significant other’s collar rather than listening, and you brainstorm suave ways to swoop in and dust his shoulder off.

7. When the wind blows, hold on to your hair strands!

8. Teasing the crown for more volume? No thank you. Not unless I’m willing to sacrifice volume every day in the name of one good picture.

9. Good luck keeping up with bathroom cleaning…and invest in a good hair catcher for the shower.

10. Lint rollers have rapidly become your new best friend.

How long did you have postpartum hair loss? Tell me it ends soon!