Thriving: That Time I Cut My Hair
So listen.
On Friday, in the name of self-care and the my effort to THRIVE this year, I cut my hair.
Not only did I cut it, but I decided to relax it after 10 years of being natural.
A big step if I do say so myself.
But sometimes, you have to take big steps in order to Thrive.
My natural hair had become a burden, more of a thing that I had to work at than just hair.
It was a struggle, something I wasn’t happy with. My self-esteem was taking a hit daily simply because I didn’t feel like myself. Because I didn’t feel like me.
Let me be clear, this isn’t a indictment against natural hair. If that is the lifestyle ( because let’s be clear, it’s a LIFESTYLE), that you have chosen,
DO YOU.
Because that is the beauty of hair, in particular the hair of a black woman. I woke up Friday Morning with a big puffy soft afro that I could stretch down to my shoulders. I went to bed with short straight hair and air hitting the back of my neck. Next month I might decide to put in a weave down to my butt. This summer, I might have braids. But FOR ME, the drama of wash day, conditioning, twisting, untwisting, on an almost every other day basis was getting to be too much.
I’ve got a child, a husband, a full-time job, a house to clean, a blog to write and a life to live. Dealing with the drama that was MY natural hair was not fitting into that life.
I will say that Saturday morning when I woke up, took off my scarf and ran my fingers through my hair, I felt so FREE that I almost danced across the bathroom floor.
But the most important thing is that I got an immediate boost in my self-esteem: my husband liked it, my child liked it, my friend told me I looked like I did in high school. And I FELT GOOD.
And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Yes! That is exactly what it’s about. You look amazing! Absolutely glowing and radiant. The time thing is why I never tried to handle my natural hair. I like to get up and go! I’m also not talented at all in hair management so I recognize my weaknesses haha.
Thank you girl! Yes, I finally realized I am a no frills kind of girl. I’m used to getting up and going too!
I feel your pain. I have been natural now for a little over 7 years, and in the beginning, I rocked it like no one’s business, but at about year 4, I got tired of the routine. My hair goal is Tracee Ellis Ross, but the way my schedule is set up, weave, wigs, and braids seem to work for me. I haven’t put a relaxer in it yet, but it’s only a matter of time. You look beautiful either way.
THANK YOU!!! Girl, I wanted to maintain that natural hair life so bad, but like you said, the way my schedule was set up, I just couldn’t!
Love it!!! I follow you on Snap and I was like Look at Her!!! It’s so pretty!! I’ve been wearing mine straight and I love it and I had to have the same talk with myself…as long as I’m happy that’s what matters…and I had a self esteem boost so no matter what others say it’s something I had to do for me! You go girl!!!
Yes, I think we have to stop being trapped in the thought of what others think and just be happy with what works for us!
It looks beautiful, and you look so happy!
Look girl, you already know how I feel about your new look. Like you said DO YOU and everyone else will be ok. XOXO
Love this new hairstyle. I’m glad you found something that works for you!
You go girl! I love your hair and yes that’s the beauty of our hair we can wear it in so many different ways. Enjoy!
You look gorgeous either way! I love your attitude and new do´!
You definitely have a glow about you and I know it’s because your hair is fabulous!
Nothing like a new hair do to shake things up in a good way. I’m thinking of doing something drastic for my 40th. I love it! All about that get up and go life!
I love the short hair. It really suits you. I’ve always gone back and forth between super short pixie cuts and longer hair… but always, always come back to short. There’s just something about it that makes me feel like me and everyone around me always tells me how great I look with my short hair. Many women are afraid of going short but I’ve never felt that way…
I love it. You look beautiful. Hair is stressful, we just need to wear our hair how ever it works for us!