2023 marks two very important anniversaries for me – my natural hair journey and my loc journey. From the highs and lows of being natural – but embracing the process every step of the way, to learning patience and trusting the process with locs, all I can say is I wish I had embarked on these journeys sooner!
My hair right now is the longest it has ever been in my entire life – touching my bra strap in the back. Locs have been my saving grace and a true game changer. As someone who has always had her hair done by someone else – whether if it was my mom or my two older sisters when I was younger, or by beauticians when I got older, I never enjoyed doing my hair. So locs was the perfect solution for me.
Going from chemical relaxers to natural hair is a process and it starts mentally. You have to be mentally ready to embark on this journey of change and acceptance. You have to accept that combing your hair will not be easy anymore. You will have to invest in wide tooth combs to gently comb through your kinky coils. You will have to learn how to gently detangle your hair and take your time doing so. You will also have to learn what works for your hair and what doesn’t, what your hair likes and doesn’t like.
Most importantly, and this goes for natural hair or locs, you will have to mentally prepare yourself and then embrace how your appearance will change. To go from chemically relaxed straight hair to tightly coiled kinks (depending on your hair texture) will be shocking. Your hair will look compact and short. If you big chop, and depending on how low you go with your big chop, you’re pretty much going to look bald. Are you ready for that? These things should be thought about honestly before taking that plunge. I know a lot of women who’ve chopped off their hair out of impulse and then cry their eyes out afterward because they didn’t consider the impact it would have on them.
Every person is different. You can’t always compare experiences, but it’s good to talk to other women to get an idea of what it’s like, what they’ve gone through, and lessons learned. That’s what this blog is all about. I’ve learned so much along the way and I’m grateful for every experience. I’m glad that I went into this with an open mind, ready to embrace everything. And by everything I mean embracing the new me, accepting my changed looks, my new hair journey and learning to be patient. All the changes that came with big chopping and going natural, to deciding to get locs and going through the whole loc journey.
Locs are amazing. Locs are freedom. Locs are beautiful in all their stages. Be good to your locs and they’ll be good to you. Be good to your natural hair and it’ll be good to you. At the end of the day they both need lots of TLC and water, water, water!
Lastly, I will say this until my dying breath: Do what works for your hair. Create and follow the routine that works for you and your hair. No two heads of hair are alike. As long as it’s not harmful to you or your hair or scalp, go for it. Never let someone tell you that you have to follow their way or that you have to follow every step that they do. And never believe that a product will magically change your hair or the texture of your hair. If it does, it is doing so chemically the same way relaxers, texturizers or perms do and it’s BAD! It’s all LIES! Try your best to use only natural oils, creams or butters on your loose natural hair and DIY as much as possible so you know what you are putting on your scalp and hair. I’m an O.G. in this natural hair game and I love it! I love it when people stop me to talk about my locs or natural hair in general. I love giving all the advice I can and helping others as much as possible with their journey. I also enjoy helping those make the decision to embark on their natural hair or loc journey.
Natural hair IS for everyone. We are born with our natural hair. Once you go natural you’ll kick yourself for not doing it sooner. There is a community of support out there, there are natural hair tribes all over the place. Find your tribe. Go ahead and make that healthy choice for your hair and body. Become an O.G. in the natural hair game like me!
Going Back to my Natural Roots 