A New Journey

So, I've had an awakening of sorts and it's feeling really good. I don't remember the last time I relaxed my hair, but I've got about an inch or so of new growth, so we'll estimate it was about two months ago. That's neither here nor there, because I'm adopting August 1st as my official "I'm going back to my natural hair texture" date.

I've certainly gone natural before, and it was a very freeing experience. This time around I plan to transition a little longer, and I hope to learn a very valuable lesson along the way: I want to force myself to take the time and care to treat myself better. These nights spent twisting, rolling and braiding in my hair (not to mention deep conditioning, oiling my scalp and moisturizing my ends) will also serve as time spent just being good to myself.

I am extra excited to get going on this journey, because I expect a lot to change as I take these steps. This fall I'll be taking my last prerequisite class before I start the nail-biting experience of applying to nursing schools. Yikes!!! That's a journey in and of itself. Next week I start volunteering at a local hospital to get my feet wet and make sure the sight of blood doesn't make me want to pass out. I'm growing into a completely different person, and what I'm about to go through with my hair is going to be an interesting part of that.

That pic up there is my first serious attempt at a style while I'm transitioning. That's my first time ever doing flat twists, and let's just say I'm glad ya'll can't see how fuzzy they turned out, lol. I'm proud of them because they were definitely a labor of love though. I plan to transition for a year (the idea is to do my big chop right before I start nursing school -- see how I need to be accepted in order for this whole thing to even work out? yea), and I want to get to know my texture and the products that work best for me while I'm doing that (I've already accepted my status as a product junkie -- and acceptance is always the first step). I've been so in love with this style today that I'm liable to attempt a thousand variations of the same thing. Don't knock it. I'm having fun even though I'm struggling to keep my hands OUT of my hair while it's looking all fun and flirty like that.

Here goes nothin'. I'll probably post more pics tomorrow, because I'm thinking of doing something else to my hair tonight since I'll be taking a picture for my hospital security badge tomorrow. Can't wait!

Sidenote: I'm going to need to get myself some coconut oil and a conditioner without any alcohol in it.