I Really Want To Go Natural...

....but I'm scared.
....but I don't like my texture.
....but people will talk about me.
....but I don't know how to manage my hair.
....but I won't look right.
....but my boyfriend will leave me.
....but my hair isn't curly enough.
....but my hair is too nappy.
....but my job will fire me.
....but my family will disown me.
....but I don't want to cut my hair.
....but I just don't have the time.
....but it isn't for me.




                                     STOP.



If you want to go natural JUST DO IT!  I find that a lot of women are afraid of what others may say. People are going to talk about you no matter what you do. Stop seeking validation from other people. Going natural is so liberating to me. I used to care about what people said or thought about me whenever I wore my hair different, but I don't have that problem anymore. If people laugh, joke or stare who cares?! I know that this decision was one of the best I have ever made, and other people don't have to agree with it. People are so conditioned through the media, they make fun of women who want to embrace their natural beauty when they probably have the same type of hair under their weave or once they wash their hair from the heat they put in it. How ridiculous is that? How dare you talk about what someone was blessed with? (For the record, I am not against wearing your hair any other way than natural. I love all of my sistas, what I am against though is altering your hair to feel "better-than" because you let other people validate you.. get some security!)

This fear of rejection needs to die. Why do we care so much about what other people think? No matter what type of texture you have, it is beautiful. Who is to say otherwise? Sure people may have an opinion, but that is all it is, AN OPINION. Their opinion of you holds no weight unless you make it. Their opinion of you DOES NOT make it truth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with embracing what grows from YOUR scalp. It's for you, if it wasn't you wouldn't have that type of hair :)




Now that I got that out of the way (lol), here are a few tips I have learned on my natural hair journey ;-)


1. Make the decision for YOU. No one else.

Go natural for you. If you don't you will more than likely go back to relaxers or whatever else you were doing before you went natural. Why? Because people will probably talk about you. It may be your siblings, aunt, grandma, co-worker, friends or maybe even a stranger. If you have never really worn your natural texture people will have to get used to your new look. You may get some "do your hair" comments, "what happened" or maybe you will be fortunate enough to have everyone you know support you, just know that you absolutely have to make the decision for you.

This was the day I decided that I was tired of dealing with
2 textures, and I cut some of the heat damage. This was MAJOR
for me because I always had long hair and was so afraid to cut off length.

2. Don't let people make you feel less-than.

I say this because women have shared stories about their significant other breaking up with them after going natural. Honey, if he can't see your beauty behind hair texture, or heck even makeup then he isn't the one for you.. Of course it will take some getting used to, but a break-up?! Maybe one day he will see past it all and love you for you, but please be with someone who will love and appreciate who you are :)








3. This journey is better when you have confidence.

Confidence may not develop the first day, but it will over time if you stay at it. People are going to stare and point. It's inevitable.. and it doesn't necessarily mean they are poking fun at you either. I have overheard a lot of compliments walking by someone in public while they were pointing. Kids are hilarious though, one boy about 4 stared at my humongous puff, ran to his mom and yelled while pointing, "Look at her hair!" I could only laugh. Just laugh sometimes, no matter what is said.


4. If you love it, love it.

If you love your hair then do just that. You don't have to apologize to anyone for doing so.

Fro Love <3

5. Experiment.

I have learned that everything will not work for my hair. No matter how many tutorials you watch, everyone's hair is different and you may not get the same results. Experiment with your own styles that you know will work. Master a style and move on to the next one. Experimenting is fun and allows you to learn your hair.




6. Stop comparing.

Constantly comparing your texture, length, etc will only cause you to miss your journey. Enjoy YOUR journey.


7. Concentrate on health and the length will come.

So many people get so tied up in their length and obsess over it that they do length checks every week. If you divert your attention and focus on having healthy hair, your hair will grow :)

Puff Power!

8. Join a natural hair group on Facebook.

It's very rewarding when you have a community encouraging you on your journey and offering tips and advice!










9. Don't become a natural hair nazi.

If she wants to straighten her hair, let her do what she wants. If she wants to dye her hair, let her do what she wants. If she wants to relax her hair, let her do what she wants! Everyone doesn't want to be natural and that's okay!




and finally,





10. HAVE FUN!!!

This journey is so rewarding! It's not just about hair, and you will see what I mean ;-)





If you want to go natural just do it! No holding back :)