"Going Natural"

What's the big deal with "going natural" anyway? If you know me, I'm always ready with a discussion of the politics surrounding women of color in this country from a womanist POV, but I'll spare you today. I just want to talk about my decision to "go natural." Why the quotes? Because its ironic! How can you "go" natural when natural is what happens, well...natrually? I'll let that simmer.

I have a strange and probably unhealthy relationship with my hair. I became more fully aware of it when I asked for a trim and received a cut at the salon. I was absolutely devastated. I've always had high self-esteem from being involved in sports, curricular, and extra-curricular activities. But that doesn't mean that I thought I was pretty. My hair was everything to me...it made me feel pretty. Everyone likes a compliment, no? And, my hair was long (still is). It's annoying, but whenever my hair is straight, people always ask me "Is that all yours?"

But for as much as I love my hair, I HATE taking care of it. And so, I didn't. I needed a change...I want to be healthier, I want to be happier, and I want to keep evolving into the woman I will be when I'm 99. At that age, I may not have any hair, so where would that leave me?

This isn't the first time I've made this decision; but hopefully it will be the last. In the past year, I've gained a sister-in-law (who happens to be the most fantastic sister-in-law a girl could ever have. Seriously, my brother is everything to me and I'm completely and genuinely happy that they found each other. I never thought anyone would be good enough for him...i digress) who is natural and has graciously been so patient with me and my questions. She even took the time to comb out my "hadn't been combed in a week and some change" hair. Now THAT, ladies and gents, is love. Ha! She even sent me home with some detangler! Bless her soul!

But, this journey isn't just about hair. It's about me. I want to be comfortable in my own skin and hair, my body and shape. I'm not going to chop my hair off, because, well, I still have issues, LOL. But I'm going to take it slow and see where it takes me. Maybe I'll relax it again, and maybe I won't. If I do, though, it will not be because I feel like i must. It will be a decision--a choice I make because I want to.

I'm going to do my best to blog about the hair stuff...but, if you're looking for someone who actually knows what she's talking about, visit my SIL's blog at corrinejoyce.com! She's a product junkie...and that's NOT a joke. LOL