NATURAL HAIR.

My hair and I have had an unnecessary love hate relationship.

Truth be told, I love my hair. I've been transitioning back from relaxed to natural for about four years and despite the two different textures, I have a thick shoulder length coif that is really easy to manage. My hair is great but despite all the positives I had a really hard time wearing my natural hair in public.

It just felt weird. 

I had been wearing weaves and extensions for so long that I had grown accustom to seeing myself look a certain way. When I was at home I would wear a braid-out and feel proud. When I wore a braid-out in public I felt wild and truthfully, less pretty. 

Hair, for African American women is more than just a hair style. It's embedded into our culture and roots to so much more. As a woman of color, I think wearing our natural hair takes a level of confidence and courage. Confidence to feel beautiful despite the American 'standard of beauty.' Confidence to feel beautiful despite the African American 'standard of beauty' and confidence to feel beautiful despite our own personal 'standard of beauty' which, can often times be the worst. Isn't it crazy how we can convince ourselves of something and hold on to it for dear life, even if it's untrue.

Although I finally found confidence in my curls, I still have moments when I feel like I need to have long straight hair in order to feel pretty and then I think, "the phuck!" My  hair does not define me. My hair does not determine my beauty. Learning to be confident in yourself is a beautiful thing. When you're confident in who you are and happy with what God blessed you with, no one can take it away. Confidence allows you to go through the world and achieve great things because you know you deserve it. 

Regardless of what you're struggling with, I encourage you to have a, "the phuck! moment and ditch your insecurities. What you consistently tell yourself is what you eventually become. Phuck the negative thoughts. Positive vibes only. 

xxb