I am very new at this but will give it a shot. I hope that something that I share will be encouraging to someone else considering taking the plunge into the world of natural hair. It has been a journey that has had its ups and downs, but mostly ups. I had a life changing event occur several months before I made the decision finally to go natural. I lost my grandmother at 77 years young, very suddenly due to a Pulmonary embolism. She was alive watching the NBA playoffs at 11:00 p.m. and by 5:15 am the following morning she was gone. I think that with that blow to my life and taking the responsibility for her estate and all that goes along with that, that the last thing I wanted to do was be a slave to "creamy crack" and all that it entails. So, after having my last perm done before my father in laws funeral (almost exactly one month after my grandmothers) I called it quits with the whole relaxing thing.

While I told my family I was going natural no one believed me. I started off with braided extensions, cornrows and the like. I was planning to wait one year before cutting off the perm, of course so that I would have some "length". After 6 months I couldn't take it any more. I scheduled with a natural hair stylist, here in Cleveland to have my hair cut, the "big chop". I tried to tell my family I was going to cut off the perm, but they didn't believe it. When I came home with my TWA, my husband was shocked, but he liked it. My mom's response was, "no you didn't, I can't believe you cut off all your hair" Now mind you I've cut my hair down to 1-2" when transitioning from perm to curl and vice a versa. No one had negative comments then, but now that it was a natural texture, everyone had to comment.

The best advice I can give you if you are deciding to go natural is to do it because you believe in it and are comfortable with being who you are. I've known people who have gone natural, but hide their hair underneath a wig for dressy affairs or special events. Girl, embrace that thing and go for it. Don't buy into "you'd be so pretty if you'd just relax that hair" as one acquaintance told me. Our ancestors did not have relaxers and they were beautiful. Beauty is more than just hair length, texture, or style, but its about what radiates from inside. I believe that the Christ that lives in me reflects all the beauty that I need and I hope that I be a positive force in the lives of those around me.

I am now Sisterlocked for 4 weeks and lovin' it. I will be taking pictures and posting soon. Be Blessed and watch here as I chronicle my journey