This article originally written in 2015

You may or may not know that men often get sponsored to grow a ‘tache in November for the charity The Movember Foundation in order to highlight men’s health issues (including testicular cancer). For the last few years, I’ve been meaning to do so, but I always get discouraged by the missus’ constant nagging. But after November 2013 had finished, I told the little lady, ‘look, I want to do this; next year I will be growing it for November’.

Basically, this was just an excuse to not shave for a month. I’m not going to be doing anything for charity! I won’t even be growing a ‘tache but the whole lot.

I’m really curious to do it because I’ve never tried before; can I even grow a proper beard?

Well, it was half way through November 2014 before I realised, oh, I forgot to not shave! But in December, I had a few days without shaving and the missus got all excited and encouraged me to grow it. So I did. For around two weeks. But I realised that Christmas was coming up and I needed to shave for my Nan ‘cos she needs her men smooth. So I did. Much to the sadness of all my work colleagues, friends, and wife.

But fear not.

As of the 1st of January 2015, I am going to go for it. I will go a full forty days without shaving. I will post updates of how I’m doing, hopefully with updates on Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, and the finale on Feb 9 with a before and after and forty daily pics all side-by-side.

Am I a real man, that is, hairy, like my Dad? Or am I a fake man, i.e., patchy of beard, like my Dad’s brother? We shall see!

2020 Update:

I have been bebearded these last five years, and not a day goes by when I don’t just ooze testosterone and manliness. The best lazy decision of my life.

© 2014 – 2015, 2020 Bryan A. J. Parry

featured image from http://www.make-it-rain.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Movember300x200.jpg