Pssst - you're not wearing it right.

I was in a crash in which, by all rights, I should have had multiple sharp rocks crammed into my head. it was 1975 and I was wearing a leather-band "helmet." When I got home, I mail-ordered a then-revolutionary Bell Biker. You know, the one that looked (and weighed) like an inverted bathtub on your head. They weren't even available in any stores in my area; I had to mail order it. In all the years and rides and miles since, I have been without a helmet two or three times at most for a grand total of maybe ten miles, and never by active choice. Forgetfulness, stupidity, unavoidable circumstance or some combination thereof, yes; active choice, no. For me, a helmet is mandatory.

To the OP, glad you're okay and that your epiphany did not come at the expense of worse injury.