Tresses Tuesday: My Two Year Natural Hair Anniversary

Hello to all my Brown Queens! I want to send a special shout out to my natural Brown Queens. This week I am celebrating my two year natural hair anniversary. I got my last relaxer two years ago and I haven't looked back since. I transitioned for a year and five months, cutting a little as I went along. I was not brave enough for the big chop. I had long and pretty healthy hair besides the fact that it was a little broken off at the crown from a permanent color I'd had a year before. I definitely faced a lot of criticism and I still am about my decision to go natural. I am often asked in a judgmental manner "Why did you go natural?" or "What made you want to do that?". Although it would suit me fine to say "Because I wanted to", I would prefer to respond in a way that could help others not be so negative about something that shouldn't even be too much of their concern. Anytime someone questions my decision, I simply tell the truth. I went natural because I wanted to see if my hair would return back to the soft curly texture it was before I got relaxers as a child. Even more so I did it as a self acceptance exercise. I wanted to accept myself for who I truly am inside and out. I don't want to feel like I have to be anything other than how I was born to feel beautiful. I wanted to take on that state of mind. Going natural was a liberating experience. I also learned an important lesson throughout my journey. Yes, I am beautiful in my natural state. No, I don't need to change what I look like to feel beautiful. However, If I wanted to wear a weave or a relaxer, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and it does not change the fact that I am beautiful with or without it. My advice to you is if you want to go natural, do it if that is what makes you feel beautiful and happy. If you want to get a relaxer or stay relaxed. make sure you are not doing it to be accepted or to "become" beautiful or because you already are. I have learned that those types of chemicals can be damaging to your hair but I know plenty who have a healthy head of hair with a relaxer. I was relaxed most of my life so I am a testament to that. My natural transition was a tough one indeed. Every day is not a good hair day but I love my hair and I am elated with the growth and strength of my hair. I plan to let it keep growing as long as it will grow. Critics tend to be silenced when they learn how well my hair is progressing. I do plan on making a youtube video soon but for now here are some pics of my journey from relaxed to natural.