I love having naturally curly/kinky hair. I love my hair so much, I named it Bloom. (My hair has a mind of its own sometimes, and I’m obsessed with the concept of growth…it was only fitting.) My hair is versatile and strong. I’m very proud of how healthy it is. Please do not misunderstand, it is no walk in the park. I transitioned for a year from having relaxed hair, before doing the “big chop” in 2014. I had to struggle for a long time while I figured out my hair, but I definitely learned a lot over the past two years.
1. All Good Things to Those Who Wait
I was so impatient at the beginning of my hair journey. I wanted my hair to dry really quickly and I wanted to learn how to do every style the first time I tried them. This isn’t how it works, especially not with my hair. I had to be patient and take my time to really learn my hair. Please don’t get me started on my wash-day routine. Since being natural, I have really learned to take my time, especially when learning new skills. Now, I think it has helped me in my classes and professional life. I am far more patient when something goes wrong or off track.
2. Time Management is Truly Crucial
The amount of time I spend on my hair per week is ridiculous. I can literally take up to an hour in the shower on wash days (I don’t know how my roommate doesn’t hate me). It also takes me an hour to twist my hair at night. I literally have to plan out what days of the week I’ll do my hair and at what time, but it’s all worth it. I manage my time so that I can do my hair, get my homework done, and still eat a somewhat healthy meal.
3. Financial Responsibility is Achievable
Okay, let me remind you all that I am a communications major; math is a foreign concept to me. Nevertheless, I have gotten really good at handling my money for the purpose of buying hair products. I stay up-to-date with the stores that sell my favorite products, so I know exactly when and where to get them. I frequently check for coupons and sales. I have to make sure I’m not buying products just for the sake of buying them, so I pay close attention to where my money goes. Just ask my parents: they can vouch for how much money I didn’t ask them for this semester compared to this time last year.
P.S. Natural hair is not, I repeat, NOT cheap.
4. Self-Love really is the Best Love
Having naturally curly to kinky hair is amazing. I can pretty much do whatever I want with it, but it has not been easy. When I began transitioning, my hair pretty much looked like a bird’s nest between the washing and styling stages. I had two different hair patterns in my hair, and dreamed of having loose curls. When I cut off all of my relaxed ends, my curl pattern was a lot tighter than I had imagined. It’s not that I didn’t like my hair, but it was a real struggle to get used to it. I foolishly thought that my mother’s mixed heritage would mean that I had looser, “prettier” curls. The reality is that my curls are beautiful already. Over the past two years, I have truly learned to love my hair, and it eventually rubbed off on loving everything about myself. I am a 20-year-old black girl, so I know how hard it can be to love yourself when it seems everything is telling you not to. I feel so grateful to have learned to love me now, so I can spend the rest of my life doing just that.
5. People Actually Like to See You be Yourself
When I first told my mother in 2013 that I didn’t want to relax my hair anymore, “going natural” was still kind of new. There weren’t a lot of Youtubers, natural hair conferences, meet-ups, etc. Shea Moisture and Carol’s Daughter certainly didn’t have the audience they do today! However, some of my closest friends supported me in my decision, and gave me tips on transitioning. When I was finally, completely natural, they might have been happier than I was. My parents are adamant now that this is “my look” and I should never stray from it. My sister is always asking me to do her hair when I come home from break. My naturally curly friends here at UCF are even complimenting me on a regular basis. The support I feel from these people is so genuine, and I know it all stems from just being myself, fro and all.
All in all, I genuinely love having natural hair. I play in it all day long, and I don’t look like anyone around me. It has taught me so many things about myself and I can’t wait to experiment with it some more. My hair is mine, and it makes me unique. Just remember not to touch it. :)