That could be. But I also know from personal experience that, whenever my life starts to go through a big change, I do something like cut my hair differently or I grow a beard or something like that. I see it less like a defense mechanism and more like a tangible symbol of change.
I see the protagonist as deciding to grow the beard kind of as a sign that he's moving on, and starting a new chapter in his life.
That could be. But I also know from personal experience that, whenever my life starts to go through a big change, I do something like cut my hair differently or I grow a beard or something like that. I see it less like a defense mechanism and more like a tangible symbol of change.
I see the protagonist as deciding to grow the beard kind of as a sign that he's moving on, and starting a new chapter in his life.