.JPG)
So I did it ... I took my dreadlocks out. I just knew that I really wanted to take them out, and have been wanting to take them out for months, and those voices just wouldn't go away. It wasn't that I hated my hair. I didn't. I loved my locks. I just wanted something else more. And it feels different this time. I didn't feel this desperation after my hair was out, this feeling of "Why did I do this?" "Not again!" I'm happy with my choice. And I feel I learned so much this time, went through my feelings of dissatisfaction with self, impatience, and caring about what other people thought about me. And it's only been a few days, but I am enjoying my afro. Right now, I'm not sure if I will try to lock again. My original reason for locking is that for me it was a low maintenance way to have long hair, but as my hair got to a length I was happy with, I realized that I'd rather loose long hair. So I will patiently try to get that loose long hair that I want.For some reason, my daughter calls my new hair "rock star" hair. I have no idea what that means. But hey, she's 4. (ETA: I finally found out what rock star hair is. She watches Noggin / Nick Jr. The Roots perform a song on there, lol.). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLtdHQeIZA
Thanks to everyone who supported me in this journey, especially Tam, Q (Kay), QueenLi, and Carmennc. It really meant a lot to me.
For more detail on what I did: I started in the back, I cut each lock to about 4 inches, then picked the rest out. I used the end of a lapel pin to pick the locks out. After a certain point, I started wearing a ponytail that gradually started looking thinner as the days went by, lol. I finished everything up this weekend. I had over 180 locks, and it took 3 weeks. I estimate that I spent an average of 20 minutes on each lock, which comes out to 60 hours total. Whew! After I had all the locks removed, I trimmed my own hair so it would be even all over by measuring with my fingers (kinda hard to explain). I now have 6 inches of hair when stretched, which I think is a great length for me right now. It's not too short (I eventually want to cornrow my hair, my technique needs work) but it's not too long to be overwhelming (I haven't combed my hair in almost 3 years).
For now I plan to try to grow my hair out. I'd love bra strap length hair if I can take care of it. I also would love to have relatively low maintenance natural hair, we'll see how that works out for me.
Please forgive the quality of the pics. They were taken with my phone (my regular camera's battery is kaput, and I can't find the charger).
20 comments:
jaw dropped to the floor and a few floors below my floor!!!! You coulda braced me for this lol..wow oh wow...3 years..i was really excited to come look here and i have to say I am sad..but I'm ultimately happy that you are happy with your decision..Gosh..3 years seems just like yesterday..i'm grateful to have gone through this journey with you..wish we could have continued it but i know nothing lasts forever..i'm actually looking forward to your loose hair updates now :-)
Yeah, sorry. :-/ I guess I could have given you a hint, lol. You did help me out, especially in those early days. Yep, almost 3 years. Looking forward to your updates as well.
WOW! I am glad you are at the place of being happy with your choice. When I took down my 1st set, it took me 3 weeks as well.
I plan to keep this set [this small anyway] through 2015 if I can. Instead of taking them down, I think I will freeform to grow out some loose hair then cut them off.
I hope you will continue to show updates on your blog. I thank you very much for your support.
Take Care~
Wow sis, I cant believe you really did it!!!! I shouldn't be surprised since you told me you were going to do it. But still its kinda sad. Your loc's were one of the main reasons I wanted locs in the 1st place. Of course thats not the case now, but you were still my inspriation. Which reminds me, I need to send you some pics of my hair. I'm rocking what I like to call the "Angie Look" lol. There coming in slowly but surely. Anyways I really dig the minnie fro. Lets see if you can top mines!!! ;)
Much Much Love,
Your baby sis!
Hey chica. ¿como estás? I didn't know I had anything to do with you starting your locks? You never told me that. Looking forward to seeing your pics, and I have to see this "Angie lock" look you're talking about.
Wow girl you where my savior. But, I glad you are happy. Although I must say the new look is nice too. Will you grow them again in the future?
@Alfina
Man, now I feel guilty. I can't say for sure, but right now I don't plan to start them over. But who knows.
*pours evoo for aybee's dreads*
my mouth is literally open in shock! why didn't you warn us or something? lol
well, i'm glad you were able to grow and learn from your experience. you are still lovely either way
so how does your hair feel? is it rebelling and trying to dread back up? is it really dry?
I'm surprised you guys are excited. Thanks @Kay. My hair actually feels soft. And no, it's not trying to lock up, although I've heard of that happening.
Yeah? I guess it must of slipped my mind. I always loved locks but i never thought about getting them till you had them and then Crystal got them, and I figured I would join the party. I just decide to wait till I got out of high school and into college to start them you know how mom is. That and I didn't want to do my big chop right before graduation. I especially loved your locks the idea of not having to do my hair every single day really interest me. You know how I am....really low maintenance (ponytail or hat). The rest is history I guess, its been about 5 1/2 months. Ill send you some pictures sometime this week. I think you'll be fairly happy. The ones in the back are a bit bigger the the ones in the front of my head , but that's OK, I love the way its turning out. Its going to take a while before my hair complete locks because I have really soft hair, but this is one journey I'm not in a rush to complete. :)
Check you e-mail in a couple of days for some pics.
Love Ya ;)
Hey again! Awww ... cool to know.
Patiently waiting for pics. ;-)
Congrats! I left you a message at hotmail for your input into my next book on free-form locks! YOu look WONDERFUL!
Thanks. I didn't get your email, could you try again?
Look at you! You're rocking a puff now! Thanks for the shout out. I keep cutting mine. I'll wait a while before going back to loose hair. And they say natural hair isn't versatile. Three years sure did fly!
Yup. I did it. Still practicing cornrows on my own head to get them ready for prime time.
Thank you Angela! Your link is on that blog too! Thank you so much for your kindness.
Take Care!
OMG! I'm so late! I'm thinking about taking my babies down too, after more than 3 years! Wowzers!
What! You are?!? Why do I feel that's so shocking, lol? Let me know what you decide.
Anyway, I still don't have regrets, although I do miss my locks. I am still lazy, but I'm still enjoying my hair, either doing a wash and go when I'm lazy, or cornrowing when I feel like doing more. And if I later feel like going back to locking again (which isn't completely out of the question), I will feel free to do that. :-)
wow! looks great! good for you!
-talkingyam
Thanks @ Yam.
Post a Comment