Four Years Loc’d

You guys know I’m a firm believer in documenting journeys. I’ve documented my natural hair journey from my big chop through locking my hair. I have so many pictures that I wanted to include in this post but they wouldn’t all download in WordPress. (Booo, hisssss!) Most of the pictures here are from year three til present. What I love about these photos is no matter how my locs looked, I still felt pretty. I love my locs!

There are a lot of people who don’t like their new growth to show. Some even go into a full blown panic when they have too much new growth. I love the fullness that new growth gives. Granted, my new growth can get unruly quite fast, I still love it. Locs in their true form aren’t meant to look neat. But sisterlocks are an alternative for those who like a neat look or who want the appearance of loose natural hair.

My loc journey has taken many twists and turns over these four years. I was infatuated with sisterlocks, so that’s what I got. About six months into my journey I realized I made a mistake in my loc choice. At the same time, I was having issues with my then loctician. After having locs for a year, I parted ways with her only to be disappointed by a few others.

Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and everything shut down. I had to make the decision of whether to self-maintain my locs or combine them. I had been thinking about combining them anyway so that’s what I did with the help of my sister-in-law. It was the best decision I could have made. I was much happier with my combined locs. I would go on to combine my locs several more times over the next two years. I did this for two main reasons: 1. I wanted my locs to be bigger. 2. I experienced thinning locs because I had gone too long in between reties and in order to save them I had to combine them. While looking for a new loctician, I had also decided that I would try twisting/palm rolling instead of interlocking. When I found my new person, that’s exactly what she did for me and she’s excellent at it and I couldn’t be happier. I feel my locs are thriving now.

There are many people that I know personally who started their loc journey around the same time as me and have cut off or combed out their locs and started their loc journeys over because they didn’t like the way they looked. Some didn’t like their parting, some didn’t like their size and they’d rather start over than be unhappy with how their hair looked. I get it. You have to do what makes you happy and what makes you feel confident. For me, I felt like I had invested so much money and time into my journey that starting over had to be my absolute last resort. They only way I’d start over is if my locs started to break off or fall out. I embraced the changes my locs went through, from combining and not having a true parting system. It never bothered me that my locs are different shapes and sizes. They are all unique. Otherwise I’m sticking with my locs and the journey continues!

I’m not ready to give up my hair freedom. I’m not willing to start over. I haven’t tired of my locs despite the challenges I’ve faced in my journey. Through all the changes, my hair continues to grow and thrive. I’m kind to my hair, I don’t do tight hair styles, I’m not constantly coloring my hair. Matter of fact, I rarely style my hair at all. I wear my satin bonnet to bed every night and I oil my scalp and locs as needed. I do need to do better with moisturizing my locs, but for the most part my locs are pretty healthy.

Locs have boosted my confidence. I feel prettier than ever, I feel sexy. I never thought I’d have hair this long in my life. I honestly don’t feel it would have grown this long as a loose natural. I want my hair to continue to grow and thrive, and it makes me happy that others look at my hair and want to loc their hair as well. It makes me happy hearing that others decided to loc their hair because of watching me on my loc journey. But what makes me the happiest is that my youngest daughter started her loc journey one year ago and my oldest daughter is about to embark on her loc journey soon. I’ve never been more proud!

My loc journey didn’t stop once my locs matured. My loc journey didn’t stop once my hair grew past my shoulders. Your loc journey continues as long as you have locs. Your hair will go through changes as your body changes. Age, menopause, hormones, LIFE. Here’s what four years of being locked have taught me:

1. When you leave your hair alone your hair will grow. Loc your hair.
2. If you have issues with patience, locs will force you have patience. There are no satisfying shortcuts. Loc your hair.
3. I thought my confidence got a boost big chopping and going natural. Having to watch my hair go through all the locking stages really taught me confidence and self love. Loc your hair.
4. I never knew what Hair Freedom was until I locked my hair. Being able to get up and go without worrying about my hair is everything. My hair can go from casual to elegant with a ponytail, bun, or braids without the use of chemical relaxers, flat irons, or a ton of products. I can flip my locs to one side and have an instant style for the day. This is true Hair Freedom. Loc your hair.

CHEERS to four years of being locked! CHEERS to Hair Freedom!!!