I Sold My House to Live in a Bus. Now, I'm Shaving My Head For It.
- lindzimayann
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Well, I never thought the next stage of bus life would involve shaving my head.
Actually, I never thought any stage would to be fair.
But here we are.
And once again, I'm as surprised about the developments in my life as the people around me.
When the idea was inadvertently suggested as a way of raising some cash for my project, it made me feel sick to the stomach. But so did my looming insurance renewal, which for the first year of taking my community book bus on the road, had set me back five and a half thousand pounds.
Five and a half thousand pounds.
And that's with 20 years of driving experience and a clean record.
I really struggle with injustice and there's no other way to put this, the insurance industry is a scam.
Having made a TikTok video about the extortionate policy - of course I did - and the amount of insurance workers explaining the systems that allow them to hike the price, I can't help but wonder why we allow ourselves to be mugged off in so many ways?
We should refuse, on mass, to comply with corrupt systems any longer.
But let's face it, society right now is so disconnected and divided, a revolt is unlikely to provide me with a solution anytime soon.
So I've had to find another way.
Is shaving my head really the best option available to me?
Probably not.
But it is definitely one that's going to capture attention and on top of that, it is certainly going to challenge me.
And I do enjoy a good challenge.
In the past, I've done all sorts from muddy obstacle courses to solo travelling, I even gave up booze for a year and I'm now on my fourth year sober.
Just like with all good challenges though, I am mildly terrified at the prospect of shaving my head.
But this feeling of fear is also something I find motivating because I enjoy pushing myself out my comfort zone.
Experience tells me there's always something worthwhile lurking on the other side of fear.
As a woman, right from being a young girl, hair defined firstly my gender and then my feeling of identity. I got lots of comments about my golden hair and a lot of attention over it too.
Thinking about stripping that away and sporting just my naked head makes me feel strange and kind of vulnerable.
But on the other hand, I suspect it will be the most liberating feeling ever.
The coolest thing is, my mum is doing it too. It was her idea first. She is raising money for The Pain Relief Foundation and she ultimately inspired me to do this.
So now here I am, bolstering myself with the powerful perspective that my act is one of defiance and refusal. A stance on beauty standards, a rebellion of the gender roles. And that does feel good.
There's so much pressure to look young. To be flawless. Everytime I open an app, I'm bombarded with anti-aging proucts. Women who are ten years older than me but look ten years younger. Luckily I mostly reject the ideals and I'm comfortable as I am but I notice the intensity - which recently escalated to deodorant for your top lip. Anyone else think that's a little extreme?
There are just so many other things to do with your life than worry about trying to maintain an unrealistic image of perfection.
I don't think I'll grow my hair back right away. I want to try a few things out whilst I'm the position to. I might as well make the most of it, hadn't I?
Additionally, hair is believed to hold memories, emotions, the weight of the past and a chop can act as an energetic cleanse.
I honestly feel like I might cry. Or maybe I'll laugh uncontrollably. Or both? It just feels like a very significant moment in my life.
I'll be turning forty next year. And this is like a line in the sand.
I feel like I've repeatedly abandoned myself and who I am, up until this point.
It's an energetic cleanse. A fresh start with my newfound security in myself.
I know I'll still make mistakes in future because they are a part of life, but it's just that now I'm really stepping into my true self after a period of deep reflection and healing.
There is no more playing small. No more lowering my expectations.
I have put a lot of effort into really addressing the underlying causes for repeating patterns in my life. Obviously self-development is always ongoing, but I've definitely entered a new era of energy - I've transitioned from exhausted, battle-sore and releasing, to rising, expanding, reclaiming.
My bald head will be like a fleshy full stop.
A new chapter.
Speaking of next chapters, this will be Bus Different's second summer touring UK destinations, events and festivals. Scheduled stops have tripled since her maiden year in 2025. I already have big bookings for 2027 too, and have had to turn down multiple requests this year due to already being booked.
This popularity, I feel, is testament to the need and desire for community connection, better access to support and options, plus outside-of-the-box, alternative perspectives and approaches.
Bus Different represents possibility, hope and acceptance. And amidst the darkness, that is a welcomed beacon of light.
I've worked hard to create this vision, offering a different story, becoming the example of what can happen when you take control of your destiny.
I'm so chuffed that so many can see the value in what I offer, and I'm proud of what I've created so far.
Why am I doing any of this though?
Well, I've always felt a deep drive to help people and I believe I am carrying out my purpose - not just by shaving my head - but by raising the vibration with alternative perspectives, kindness, stories of hope, information, tools, options.
And I'm seeking your help to further help me on my mission.
The big bold and bald shave will take place at 5pm on Friday March 13th.
My mum, Ali, is also shaving her head and hopes fo raise awareness plus vital funds for The Pain Relief Foundation who support research into new treatments and cures for fibromyalgia.
We would love you to donate if you can - every donation counts and we are so grateful for your support. We would also love you to join in the fun by watching the shave as it happens live!
Donate to the fundraiser here:
Watch the shave live here:
I really hope my story helps you make a change in your own life that supports your own personal achievements. Every choice and decision you make, ultimately creates what you experience as reality. Start to make those choices consciously.
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