What's Your Hair Story?

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     From root to end, our natural hair has a story.  This anecdote includes protagonists (vitamins, moisture, care, and support) as long as antagonists (knots, break-off, and dryness).  This story may include one or all three conflicts possible.

Woman vs. Nature

     What is your hair trying to tell you?  Are you working with the natural elements of your hair or against them?  It is easy for us to get lost along the path to embracing our naturality.  The kinks and unruliness may sometimes prove too big of a burden for alot of women.

Man vs. Man

     Or in this case it may be woman vs. others.  Here the individual fights against the popular conceptions and expectations within society.  This fight may very well be with people extremely close to the individual, but also, with strangers. 

Woman vs. Self
    
     As the individual's image changes with natural hair, she may struggle with her identity/individuality.  Who is this kinky/curly haired person you see when you look in the mirror?

SUPPORTIVE LITERATURE

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America

Ayana Byrd & Lori Tharps

Nappy Journey: The Twisted Road to Natural Hair

PhD. Sharon D. Chappelle

GETTING STARTED

     While abandoning the little jars of chemical environed relaxers has come easy to many black women (most who have been natural all their lives), this task can have its pros and cons for others.  Since there are different ways to taking the leap towards the "natural you", I figured we would start the first discussion assessing the positive and negative aspects of the BIG CHOP (BC) and Transitioning.
    
     THE BIG CHOP
     This term is self explanatory.  Chop it all off and start all over.  When individuals choose the BC it usually symbolizes a fresh start.  Though the BC looks like it may leave little room for creativity and individuality, many have embraced their short hair with edgy hair cuts and funky accessories!

     THE TRANSITION

     This path to naturality is one I have walked a couple of times.  Here one just simply stops relaxing her hair until the relaxed hair can eventually be cut out without the individual losing length.  Transitioners may face a couple of challenges such as handling the two contrasting hair textures and the long span of time it takes to grow ones hair to a comfortable length before cutting the perm.  However, these speed bumps can be driven over smoothly with innovative approaches.

So readers, I and other inquiring minds would like to know: 

Which path did you take to your natural hair and what all did the curvy road entail?