Are you a Transitioning Newbie!

Welcome to the movement of embracing your natural self from the inside out!

My transition was simple. My last chemical relaxer was in January 2011. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. At the time, I really thought it was going to be the perfect time for me to start the dreadlocks I had always admired on others and wanted on myself. So, I waited about three months until I had a decent amount of new growth. I went to the salon and had kinky twist extensions braided into my hair. I was so excited about making the transition! I had reached a point in my life where what people thought of me had become the least of my concerns. This new venture was going to be an investment in my personal happiness. Plus, it completed my desire to physically change my body and myself naturally. And so my motto became: “If ‘you’ do not like it – TOO BAD! Nothing personal!”

Once the extensions were in place, I began researching dreadlocks and how to start and maintain them. In my search, I came across articles and pictures of women wearing their hair natural, yet not in dreadlocks. What peaked my interest most were the pictures of women with LONG, NATURAL HAIR! I thought they looked so beautiful, and their hair and hairstyles were gorgeous! So, I was convinced that my hair could look like that too! I, too, could learn how to manage and care for my own natural hair, if I took the time to learn as they did. Hmm!

I became fixated on how I could do this. I had seen my hair in its natural state, when I was a teenager, and thought that if I studied and applied the same techniques as these women, I could manage it and have long, natural hair too.

After several months, I decided it was time. I kept the kinky twists in way too long, and it was time for them to go. In September of 2011, I grabbed the scissors and began cutting the twists out of my hair. LOL! Needless to say, I cried a lot that first week and few more times thereafter. It has been quite a journey ever since, and I am still learning!

A good friend of mine emailed me lots of links to natural hair care videos on YouTube, and YouTube became my best friend. (Janis, if you are reading this, it was such a blessing and I am forever grateful <3!) So, if you are not familiar with YouTube, now you know. There is a wealth of information out there. People have been thoughtful enough to post videos of everything you want to know. I’m sure my younger readers are probably already aware 🙂

Now there is a new resource site, created by Carol’s Daughter, that focuses primarily on transitioning to natural hair, among other things. I think it is great website, and I hope you take a moment to check it out >>> http://transitioningmovement.com/

Good luck on your transition, stay focused on your goal, and don’t give up!

Solange Knowles leads Natural Hair Movement: