One Year Natural: 10 Lessons Learned

By: NEWNATURALISTA

“It’s our anniversary, anniversary…”

Last year I took my scissors and did this:

October 2009

Chopped off my coveted relaxed locks – my “Oprah hair” – my identity.

October 2009

For the first time in my life I was that dreaded phrase – “bald headed!”

It felt so surreal – I expected to feel regret, remorse…instead I felt giddy, beautiful, confident – liberated.

One year natural! Here are some lessons I’ve learned about myself and other people:

1. Short natural hair projects confidence – and people respect confidence.

2. I have discovered my true hair texture – a dense mass of  fine, curly AND kinky strands that appear thick.

3. The BIGGER my hair grows the more UNCOMFORTABLE some people get.

4. The feelings of confidence and liberation comes and goes – it’s a process.

5. This hair thing is about more than just hair. It’s about identity, self love and reflection. Components of this process are MILITANT.

6. My hair has opened up a whole new world of sisterly love.

7. I’m happily married BUT I get a lot of attention from white men.

8. Natural hair is only difficult to manage when you try to make it do something it is not meant to do.

9. There are many definitions of “natural” – we’re all different, and that’s ok.

10. “Going natural” continues to be one of the best decisions of my life. Here’s to another year of growing, expanding and letting my hair simply be.

October 2010