The Natural Me

 

Before the Big Chop                                                                                                 After the Big Chop                                                     

So it's official.  I have joined the ranks of natural women.  That is to say I have decided to cut my hair and embrace the curls that I have beaten into submission all these years.  I did the Big Chop (BC) on October 17, 2012 because I became frustrated with trying to transition from a relaxer.  I had not had a relaxer in about four months and had about an inch and a half of growth and I felt it was enough for me to rock my TWA (Teenie Weenie Afro).    It was not a decision that I entered into lightly, after all, I have always had long hair and the length of my hair at that time was past my shoulders and very thick.  My children and my husband liked me with long hair and to be honest I had grown use to having my hair long and being able to style it relaxed.

 As it got closer to the day for the BC I was having what seemed like mini panic attacks and it was then I knew I had to cut it because I was attributing too much to my hair. I did not realize how attached I was to my hair until that day.  It had a power that I did not know that it had. My beauty comes from inside not the dead fibers on my head.  The decision to cut should not have been so difficult because after all, hair grows back but I learned from Nikki at CurlyNikki.com that our hair affects us psychologically.  Culturally women with long hair are prized and almost revered and so women invest hundreds of dollars in products, stylists,  weaves and wigs in order to achieve the long straight look.  Women who embrace their natural hair are perceived as being not as desirable, perceived as threatening and have a harder time fitting in.   Women with natural texture are less likely to be portrayed in a positive manner in the media.

I am enjoying my natural journey so far but have to admit I have receive mixed reviews.  My friends  have had nothing but positive comments and words of encouragement.  My husband and children told me that it makes me look younger which is a fringe benefit of the BC that I had not planned on. Who doesn't want to look younger?  I have also had comments from some who felt I needed to justify the cutting of my hair to them.  I found this interesting considering the hair was on my head and not on theirs.   I have had varying responses from raised eyebrows, shocked looks to just out right pretending that it did not happen.  Since the decision to cut my hair was my choice and part of my journey I am depending on the approval of others to go forward.  I am looking forward to learning about my hair's texture and what products works best for me. The natural journey has just begun.

I am on a quest to become a healthier version of myself spiritually, physically, emotionally.  I am inviting all who would like to come along to do so.  We will be covering many different topics with the aim of developing not only a healthier me but also a healthier you so that we can be healthy 4 life!