1. Besides the fact of learning a relaxer is an acid …
2. After years of feeling like I had to adjust to other people's ideas of what was right, I now listen to myself.
3. It's not a political statement nor a way for others to judge how 'black' I am. Simply put, It Just Is.
4. That I would be amazed at the texture coming from the roots and being at aw of discovering something so unique it's amazing.
5. That I would get more compliments on my hair than ever.
6. I also love that it takes LESS time to handle and 'do' my natural hair - even as it's growing in through the tough transition phase.
7. I love that it doesn't look like anyone Else's hair - not like when I was relaxing and having it Chi Iron Straight, occasionally get asked is that all 'your' hair .
8. To see my grandmother smile, love it and talk about it because it's so beautiful watching it grow out.
9. That I could take a shower without a shower cap.
10. I wish I knew that doing my own hair is a lot easier than I expected and that I don't have to waste so much time and money at a salon .
11. That I really CAN survive without heat and chemical and have so many hairstyle options, including straight if I chose to go there for a day.
12. That I would not be afraid of the Rain .
13. For unexpected events I wouldn't have an OMG my hair is not done moment. I can either wash and go or place a wrap around my head and tie it in a knot and still get compliments although it's a bad hair day.
14. That my hands would stay in my hair and I would have to chant "I will not touch my hair, I will not touch my hair, and at the same time realizing why my son can't keep his hands out of his hair...
15. I would feel sexy, confident and free .
16. That I would be at peace with God and know that he didn't give me bad hair.
17. That men YES even black men love it and find it strangely exotic and as natural as rain.
18. That we deserve to feel as beautiful as we are.
19. That I now know versatility is the best thing about black-girl hair.
20. Experimenting with difference is what life is all about
I so feel you!!! I've always
I so feel you!!! I've always felt that I would go natural as an adult and eventually pursue vegetarianism. But going natural brings a sense of relief from the word we know. Great post!
True Beauty Comes From Within....
love this post, says exactly how i feel
Love this post, sums up exactly how I felt and feeling now I've e growing a beautiful kinky fro.
After losing my hair to chemo last year, my first thoughts after being told the side affects that i'd faced once I start my treatment was oh know my hair
After years of pain and strive I was going to lose my long chemically straight hair.
Never in my wilderness thoughts that chemo would also enlighten me to the true beauty of afro hair.
After morning the lost of my hair, I could believe how I loved the way it felt and looked like baby hair when it started to grow back, and discovering that my natural hair colour was a brown-black and not that colour from years of relaxer.
No longer missing the process and time it took to wash, dry, treat, grease, and style.
Loving that fact that yes as a Black Woman, I could 'Wash and Go'
Looking unique and a little funky (well that's the compliments I get) not all straight and slick or full of weave-on (confess never had the experience of weave, but looked soo cumbersome to look after)
And like you loving playing with my kinks and twirling my hair while reading a book or watching TV.
Once you go afro you never go back LOL
Beating the drum of approval!
I LOVE this list! I really do feel so much more confident and naturally beautiful when my hair is chemical free! Your photos are beautiful and how you feel shines right through!
Writing is Freedom!
www.execumama.blogspot.com
Love your list
I too can relate to all 20 things you listed. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being natural! I have been natural for over 5-6 years now. I just started some locs in January since I had been wanting some for a while.
Your blog posts make for very nice reading by the way:)
Beautiful Sis
I share in your 20 things! It wasn't until I went natural that I (emphasis on "I") realized how beautiful I am. When having my bone straight Bob (back in the day), I loved my hair being coveted, because it looked like a wig (naturally dark and straight and full of body). I knew that I would receive compliments.. I better! Vain. Right? But true. It wasn't until I went natural, that I realized I did not need those compliments any longer. I knew that within myself that I was beautiful. Figured out that the reason my Bob was so fierce was because of my natural wavy curl pattern that I never gave a chance to be (always slappin' the lye on). Now here I am with 27" of locs, loving every inch. And although I am grateful for the ongoing compliments from women, men, all races....I know that this is part of my outside beauty.
On a humorous or ironic note: The google ad for straight hair at the end of your post made me chuckle.
Itiel~wife, mother, teacher,entrepreneur, friend
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It's never too late to be what you might have been!