7 Years In…My Natural Hair is STILL a journey!

"I am not my hair." -India.Arie

Day 2 of my journey...



Seven years ago today I did the “big chop” and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.  It was the day after taking the LSAT and I figured, after that experience, I could get through anything. So I washed my hair and let my friend cut off the rest of the relaxed ends, which I had been growing out since April. Afterwards I cried…not so much for my hair, but at the anxiety of facing the world looking different. The next day I put on my biggest, cutest earrings and went out with full armor over my self-confidence, which I knew would be tested severely… As an undergraduate at GSU in Northeast, Louisiana, having natural hair was rare…I think I only ever saw two people on campus with natural hair before I made the decision to be natural.

Before that day, I had never seen my hair in its natural state; I was 19. My hair is the thickest and coarsest I had ever seen and apparently my mom thought so too, as I had been having my hair relaxed since about 3 or 4. I mean there were literally times when a relaxer did not take on my hair and I had to re-relax it the next day (horrible, I know). I went through my whole life HATING my hair, but when I saw Lauryn Hill’s hair in the video for “Killing Me Softly” I knew I wanted my hair like that one day. I’ve always been quite rebellious and at some point I knew I was tired of looking like everyone else, especially when my hair was not happy…

 

In these 7 years, me and my hair (newly named Nina) have been through it! I have periods where we are friends and times where we just don’t get along at all! Sometimes I want to play with her and try different styles and at other times I don’t even want to see or touch her. I have colored it, cut it (sometimes intentionally and sometimes because people are scissor happy), braided it, and almost everything in between. Nina has personality and, when I’m not lazy, I like to flaunt her.

I can honestly say that it was not until I was natural that I fell in love with my hair; through good and bad days it was mine and I rocked it!  As a law student, I never felt pressure to conform by straightening my hair for interviews because my hair was a part of who I was and I figured they either wanted all of me or none of me…always rebellious.  Even in court as an attorney, I would rock my ‘fro or twist styles proudly. Funny thing I notice is that when people see someone with natural hair they automatically think they have a strong personality – one stereotype I’m ok with!

 

This year I’ve decided to treat Nina better. Funny how all these years later I never really put much thought into how healthy my hair was.  This time in Costa Rica has really given me necessary time to think about so much, including my hair. I’ve been researching a lot to figure out why my hair does certain things and finding natural recipes I can use on my hair; I am a YouTube junkie now. I’ve also decided to really listen to Nina and do what she likes. My journey has been a learning experience more than anything, but I couldn’t imagine my hair relaxed ever again (I’ve literally had nightmares about it). I’m happy to be nappy/kinky/curly and everything in between!

The 52-Week Challenge…and Why You Should Join in Too!

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” -Stephen R. Covey

Since I’ve been blogging, I look at several other blogs, which I think are good, in the hopes of one day being a better blogger with a good following.  One of my faves so far is www.thisisyourconscience.com. Lincoln, the author, is funny, smart and has some of the most interesting topics on various subject matters. So last night, I’m browsing and come across a 52-week challenge that he proposed to himself and his readers and it was right on time…

 

The Challenge:

“The pledge is simple – but the challenge is NOT. I want everyone willing to be a part of this endeavor to swear RIGHT NOW (not tomorrow, not tonight after your meeting, or next week after your schedule at work/school is less hectic) that you will spend the next 52 weeks relentlessly chasing your dream.”

Each Wednesday of the next 52 weeks, every single ONE of us must state ONE important and necessary thing we did in the past 7 days to make our dream a reality. Our accountability partner(s) will then ask us the following:

1.      How did your actions bring you closer to your goal?

2.      Did you HONESTLY do everything in your power to progress your dreams this past week?

3.      How could you have done more?

4.      What is your plan to progress your goals in the next 7 days?

 

See, two nights ago I was complaining because I came from my Spanish “intercambio” and was frustrated that I wasn’t learning as much as I wanted. Unfortunately, I had no one to fault but myself. Then I got pissed off about this extra weight I’m carrying and again no one to fault but myself. So I accepted the challenge, hoping that is makes me accountable and work on achieving goals that I have been too lazy or unmotivated to reach on my own. I had two goals when I read the article, but after reading other people’s list, I decided to add on to mine.

Here is my list of things to actively work on for the next 52 weeks:

1. I pledge to be at my ideal weight, by working out at least 3 times a week.

2. I pledge to be fluent in Spanish, by actively working on it for the rest of my 4 months in Costa Rica.

3. I pledge to take my love of photography seriously by investing in a good camera and enrolling in a class.

4. I pledge to have the option to retire by 40 by eliminating my student loan debt and mortgage payments.

In deciding to take on this challenge, I’m sure many of my family and friends also have goals they want to accomplish. It can be anything such as taking a yearly vacation, reaching a weight loss goal, finishing a degree, becoming a better wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend, becoming a better parent or paying off debt.  You can set any goal, even if it takes longer than 52 weeks to reach!

The purpose is to actively work on reaching your goals and being held accountable by others, who want you to achieve that goal. So I’m encouraging others to join the challenge with me. List your goals in the comments section and choose others that you will hold accountable as well.

Read more about the challenge here: http://www.thisisyourconscience.com/2012/08/tiyc-presents-the-52-week-pledge-i-challenge-you-to-get-closer-to-your-dreams