My Big Chop Experience

I think that this experience is so significant in my life I have to share it with everyone who is going through the same situation.

I'm now 20, and I had been thinking about going natural since I was about 16 or so. From that age I would go about three to four months without relaxing, and then something or someone would convince me to go back. I went through this a number of times.

I remember the last time I relaxed my hair was March 2009. I then went a few months really neglecting my hair, I had a lot going on, I just didn't have time for it. As you can imagine, it started breaking, severe thining. By about August time, I's decided that this was it, no more chemicals for me pelase.

I began watching youtube videos and articles on ladies who'd gone natural for inspiration and how to grow out my hair before the big day. It was here that I learned about co-washing and pre-pooing. Learning about all this really helped repair my damaged hair, and I soon began to see results in growth.

I had completely forgotten what the real texture of my hair was until then. Seeing the difference between the two textures was quite frightening, but I was determine to pull through. Styles I wore during transition were, twist-outs, braid-outs, leave it out with a head band. I also straightened it a few times when I was really deperate.

Around December time, I was getting very impatient and kept telling my sis that I think it's time, I really do. I kept going on and on, but because I was uncertain about how it would look and so forth I wasn't brave enough to go ahead and do it. Sis then suggested to me to get a bob cut, so I went ahead and did it. The cut was about ear length, I loved it, I really did, but I didn't like the fact that I had to straighten it. So I began tying my hair back a lot of the times. I don't really like tying back because of the tension.

Come March 10th 2010, about 9pm, I was sitting with my partner at home, and said to him, that's it today is the day, it's got to go! I then went to wash my hair, conditioned it and the usual, spent a couple hours deliberating. Then I took the scissors, and told him to do it.

When it was done, to be honest, I felt so liberated. There was something in my heart that was unlocked that had been there for a long time. I was free at last.......

The picture above was taken in the morning on the 11th, getting ready for college. I love it!

I hope I've inspired ladies to do the right thing, and go natural. One piece of advice that I've heard over and over again, is do it for you, do not care about what anyone else thinks.

Any problems, uncertainties, leave a comment and I'll see what we can do.......Love you sistas