2002 – The Genesis
I have been natural for good since 2004. I initially made the decision to be relaxer free in 2002. However, 8 months into my journey, I punked out. Perhaps it is not that deep, but it is how I felt. I just wasn’t ready to make the lifestyle change. And make no mistake, it is a lifestyle change. My stylist, who introduced me to the idea of letting my relaxer grow out in the first place, had done her best to convince me to stay in the fight. However, after listening to my complaining and witnessing my struggle, she finally gave in and I was once again trapped into the life a relaxed girl. Why was that life so important to me? Why was I so unwilling to let it go? I often make relationship analogies when it comes to my hair because it seems that most people can relate. You know that relationship that you’ve been in for so long that you can’t see your life outside of it, even though you know you should probably move on? You’ve been together so long that you have become complacent and comfortable. Yes it comes with some strife but not so much that you can’t deal with it. You rationalize it by saying “all long term relationships have challenges, this is normal”. That is kind of how things were between my relaxed hair and I. We had been lifelong partners (since I was in elementary school) and even though I knew my hair would be much better off without the relaxer, I just kept doing what I knew best.
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| 2003 Maid Of Honor in my best friend's wedding |
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| 2003 - flat ironed |
