My curls have their own story. Although we were re-acquainted almost 5 years ago, it feels like we were never apart. When I decided to start my natural hair journey, I knew I would learn different areas of myself and grow as an individual. I have balanced my mind, body, and spiritual journey. My health has improved and I took more control of the items my body consumed. My relationships with my family and friends, and myself improved. However, I also learned that there were certain areas of myself that I already knew. We just have to get familiarized with each other again and build a stronger relationship. My natural hair journey has helped me re-visit these areas within myself:
Self-Expression
I tend to express myself with my choice of clothing, make-up, and even my hairstyles. I have experimented with an array of styles that showcases the different pieces of me. When my hair is out and big, I feel more light and free-spirited. If I wear my hair in a topknot with a side bang, I am feeling sassy and ready to rock a bold lip. As a creative, self-expression is important to me and I make sure to take the time to actually enjoy it.
Self-Acceptance
My natural hair journey has allowed me to accept and unconditionally love myself. My beginning stages of my journey was tough, especially when it came to my shrinkage. Now, there is not a YouTube tutorial in the world that will make me second-guess my absolute love for my curls. Not only am I able to embrace my hair in its natural state, I provide my hair with love and nutrients to nurture its health and growth. The multiple textures do not bother me at all, in fact, it shares the different stories of my crown.
Find Inspiration
Each day, I take the time to look at my surroundings. This allows me to find beauty in my environment to use it as inspiration within my style and work. Bold colors, prints, and textures stand out the most to me when searching for inspiration. I use those visions towards color palettes in my wardrobe and hair accessories. Searching for inspiration allows me to maintain my creativity and find new ways to make items beautiful.
On those days that are a little more difficult than others, I take time to keep myself grounded during my natural hair journey. If I am frustrated and need to relax, I add a few drops of lavender oil to my oil diffuser. I will grab my DIY hair oil and give myself a scalp massage. Scalp massages are a great way to release stress and can even promote hair growth due to the circulation of blood. During my massage, I allow peace into my space and I feel better instantly.
How has your natural hair journey impacted you? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
