My natural hair means more than I ever thought it could.
One night in May 2012, I decided to make an important change. A decision which has had a huge impact on my life and taught me so much about myself.
At the very beginning wearing my hair in its natural state was a short-term solution to bring my damaged, dry, breaking hair back to health caused by years of self-inflicted damage from heat and colouring. However, over the course of my journey it became more than ‘just’ hair it became a way of life that I can never see myself abandoning.
Going natural was the foundation I built on to grow into somebody I
am proud of today. To me natural hair means many things but the
key factors it represents for me are:
Education and awareness:
Natural hair pushed me to ask questions and become more educated in areas I had no real interest before. Finding out what the 14 lettered ingredients in my products were. Why I didn't see curly or afro haired women on TV advertising hair products or any hair product. Why is society so obsessed with straight hair? Why did I feel the need to always straighten my hair? Dare I asked myself…did I feel my hair was …unattractive? Since becoming natural I no longer compare myself to others or fed into what looks ‘normal’. I have finally accepted I will never fit their ‘normal’, their standards of beauty were structured by people who neither looked like me nor had me in mind. My response is simple, “who cares who wants to be just ‘normal’ anyway”. To release myself from a bubble that was intentionally not made for me is a form of healing.
A healthier lifestyle:
Wearing my hair natural started to contribute to other parts of my wellbeing. It wasn’t long after becoming natural I started to search for natural products not just for my hair but for my body. Investigating what I applied to my skin and consumed became a new addition to my journey. Reading ingredients on product labels, being shocked by what I found lead me to make my own organic mixtures. Educating myself and becoming more aware of my health lead me to value myself and become comfortable with who I am. This changed the way I felt about my hair and body but most of all how I felt about ‘me’. When I now walk down the street and people look at me I feel proud to know I am representing my heritage and origins the best way I can.
Growth in confidence:
For the first time in my life my confidence grew and people around me noticed. I was no longer afraid to stand out from the crowd and be seen for who I really was. A confident, strong, curly haired woman. Yes, I’m still human and hateful comments and odd stares do hurt at times but I know I will bounce back. My level of self-assurance goes way beyond any discomfort somebody else or society can impose on me.
Genuine friendship:
My natural hair impacted areas I never thought were possible such as friendships. Who knew friendships could be based on hair. Well I found out the hard way with long-term friendships ending as my new lifestyle clashed with theirs or made them uncomfortable. Questions on why I was changing my ‘image’ and how it didn’t look ‘good’ on me were slyly said here and there. This was hurtful but I continued on my journey and slowly made new connections with people who like me loved my hair in its glorious natural state. Those friends are my closest friends to date and my biggest curl-fans.
Even before I found my new curl-friendly friends I wasn’t alone, the online natural hair community was so welcoming you were bound to make a virtual friend everyday if you wanted. A sociable virtual world where people give genuine advise, help and even form friendships with another curly-girl anywhere in the world.
My decision to have natural hair was one of the best decisions I made for my hair and for me as a person. Who knew natural hair would change my life for the better and mean so much to me.
What does your natural hair mean to you?
Love Zeze
x
One night in May 2012, I decided to make an important change. A decision which has had a huge impact on my life and taught me so much about myself.
At the very beginning wearing my hair in its natural state was a short-term solution to bring my damaged, dry, breaking hair back to health caused by years of self-inflicted damage from heat and colouring. However, over the course of my journey it became more than ‘just’ hair it became a way of life that I can never see myself abandoning.
Going natural was the foundation I built on to grow into somebody I
am proud of today. To me natural hair means many things but the
key factors it represents for me are:
Education and awareness:
Natural hair pushed me to ask questions and become more educated in areas I had no real interest before. Finding out what the 14 lettered ingredients in my products were. Why I didn't see curly or afro haired women on TV advertising hair products or any hair product. Why is society so obsessed with straight hair? Why did I feel the need to always straighten my hair? Dare I asked myself…did I feel my hair was …unattractive? Since becoming natural I no longer compare myself to others or fed into what looks ‘normal’. I have finally accepted I will never fit their ‘normal’, their standards of beauty were structured by people who neither looked like me nor had me in mind. My response is simple, “who cares who wants to be just ‘normal’ anyway”. To release myself from a bubble that was intentionally not made for me is a form of healing.
A healthier lifestyle:
Wearing my hair natural started to contribute to other parts of my wellbeing. It wasn’t long after becoming natural I started to search for natural products not just for my hair but for my body. Investigating what I applied to my skin and consumed became a new addition to my journey. Reading ingredients on product labels, being shocked by what I found lead me to make my own organic mixtures. Educating myself and becoming more aware of my health lead me to value myself and become comfortable with who I am. This changed the way I felt about my hair and body but most of all how I felt about ‘me’. When I now walk down the street and people look at me I feel proud to know I am representing my heritage and origins the best way I can.
Growth in confidence:
For the first time in my life my confidence grew and people around me noticed. I was no longer afraid to stand out from the crowd and be seen for who I really was. A confident, strong, curly haired woman. Yes, I’m still human and hateful comments and odd stares do hurt at times but I know I will bounce back. My level of self-assurance goes way beyond any discomfort somebody else or society can impose on me.
Genuine friendship:
My natural hair impacted areas I never thought were possible such as friendships. Who knew friendships could be based on hair. Well I found out the hard way with long-term friendships ending as my new lifestyle clashed with theirs or made them uncomfortable. Questions on why I was changing my ‘image’ and how it didn’t look ‘good’ on me were slyly said here and there. This was hurtful but I continued on my journey and slowly made new connections with people who like me loved my hair in its glorious natural state. Those friends are my closest friends to date and my biggest curl-fans.
Even before I found my new curl-friendly friends I wasn’t alone, the online natural hair community was so welcoming you were bound to make a virtual friend everyday if you wanted. A sociable virtual world where people give genuine advise, help and even form friendships with another curly-girl anywhere in the world.
My decision to have natural hair was one of the best decisions I made for my hair and for me as a person. Who knew natural hair would change my life for the better and mean so much to me.
What does your natural hair mean to you?
Love Zeze
x
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