I cut my hair in October of 2011, halfway through my first semester in college. It was a big decision, but I decided to get it over with then because I did not have the patience for two textures.
In the beginning, I did a lot of wash-and-go's while my hair was still pretty short. As it grew out, I began braiding it.
And braiding some more.
And some more.
I became obsessed with braiding. Braiding was fun. I loved how creative I could be with my styles and to this day challenge myself to try styles that no one else is wearing at the moment. However, braiding was also necessary--at least I felt it was early on--because of my inability to style my own hair at that length and the fact that my mother hated my hair in a TWA. Braiding it distracted her from my natural hair and kept the negative comments at bay until the next time I took the braids out.
My hair has grown significantly longer in the past almost 2 years since I cut it, but reflecting on the journey to natural hair, I feel that even now, two and a half years post-relaxer, I am still transitioning.
I've made the major transition from processed to natural hair, but I'm still not content with my hair. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do love my curls, but I'm ready for it to be longer, for my fro to be bigger and bushier. For that reason, I still treat my hair like I'm transitioning, keeping it in braids or under a wig most of the time.
Although we don't typically call it transitioning, I feel that if you are taking steps to any type of hair goal, you are TRANSITIONING. Even if you've been natural your entire life and are changing your habits to reap some different results with your hair, until you reach that goal, you are transitioning.
That's why I say that I'm on a never-ending hair journey. Our hair is so special… It's like it's living its own life up there on top of our heads. Going natural is not the end of that journey. It's not for me, and for the health of your hair, I hope your journey doesn't stop there either.
--JoAnn
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