Analyzing One's "Hair-Paradigm"

The official transition began in August of 2008; I decided to do the “big-chop” in January of 2009 because I really had no other option.  Doing nothing, was not improving my hair situation.  I sat in my sister’s living room in a metal chair, and she cut 7 inches of chemically straightened hair off of my head.  I walked to the bathroom my eyes swelled up with tears.  I didn’t know the person I was looking at and it scared me.  She had short hair, curls and kinks all over, she was vulnerable. It had never been so apparent how much hair truly meant to me than at that moment.  Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I started looking at myself differently.  This vulnerability forced me to explore what I was taught to believe about me, and challenged me to change this “hair-paradigm” that was so ingrained in my psyche. 

I learned that transitioning to natural is about accepting who you are, not just changing your hair “style.” I always tell people, let yourself become a little vulnerable.  In any relationship whether it’s with your hair or a person, you have to allow yourself to put your guard down, leave the baggage alone and give it a chance.  I also began to accept the fact that natural hair is not inferior.  In my opinion, no hair type is superior to another based on texture and/or length.  I have never felt more confident with my own hair – with myself. Hair is beautiful and unique to you…like a fingerprint so cherish your hair!  And last but not least, when you prepare mentally for the transition by critiquing yourself and why you feel the way you do about hair, it will only help you get through an (unaccepting; at times) society.  I would argue exploring your own perceptions of beauty will make you appreciate the actual transition instead of stressing out about “the change.”