Are you thinking of going natural, but haven’t taken the plunge yet?
Take some time to think about it. What’s really holding you back?
We understand how it feels to cling to the creamy crack – curious about going natural, but uncertain about whether you should do it.
You aren’t alone. There are many other naturals who struggled with the mental transition of going natural. Transitioning mentally is often the toughest part of your journey.
Here’s an open invitation to you: Tell us what you’re dealing with. We’re here to help.
Deep down, what are your biggest fears?
You may struggle with many of the same things that other naturals struggled with before that decided to go natural.
Here are the top 5 reasons (that we hear about most often) that cause women to procrastinate instead of going natural:
Reason #1: Many women are worried about what men really think about natural hair. There are several men who prefer women with natural hair. If you already have a man, no worries – learn how to tell your spouse that you’re going natural.
Reason #2: Are you afraid of how you will look after big chopping? If this is you, then don’t big chop. Once you decide that you want to go natural, all you have to do is stop applying a chemical relaxer to your hair. Once you make that decision, you are officially going natural. You don’t have to big chop. If you decide not to big chop, then you can transition as long as you want.
Reason #3: Some women think natural hair isn’t professional. I really don’t think this would be a problem, unless you don’t have a neat personal appearance or aren’t well groomed. If that’s the case, then it wouldn’t matter if you were natural or not.
Reason #4: Have you ever heard someone say that they don’t have “good hair” or that they don’t have the hair to go natural? I can see how you might have fears about how your hair will look after you go natural. This feeling isn’t uncommon, but it’s often a larger concern than it needs to be. Going natural requires you to transition mentally before you transition physically. This concern about how you will look is often the first hurdle that you must overcome.
Reason #5: You don’t want to rock an afro all the time. If that’s you, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. There are several awesome natural hairstyles.
I’ve only named 5 concerns that many women have about going natural, but I’m sure there are many more – as this list only scratches the surface.
If it isn’t one of the things that I’ve listed above, then what is it?
Take control of the things that you want. If you want to go natural, then it’s all in your power. What’s really holding you back?
 | |
About Kenneth Byrd
For me I will have to admit the biggest road block in deciding to go Natural was my immediate family. When I first start attempting to transistion I got weird looks, bad jokes, and was teased about being to Afro-Centric. Peer pressure caused me to delay for months until finally I said ” This is my hair and I am taking control of it!” and well I think I look pretty good! After I did it I was surprised at the complete strangers, Men and Women who liked the look. I had women tell me that wanted to do, but just didn’t have the courage. For me going Natural was liberating! I ENCOURAGE IT AND EMBRACE IT! #TEAMNATURAL
Asheki – Yep, going natural requires a great deal of courage for many women. We often discuss how naturals must transition mentally before they transition physically. Otherwise, you risk allowing the “pressure” from family or others to change your mind. I’m glad to hear that your journey is going well.
I was natural when it wasn’t a popular decision to be natural. I was fed up with relaxers in the mid 90′s and made up my own natural and pressed hairstyles to rock. I have been texturized since about 2002 and have found that my hair isn’t as thick as it once was. I knew that was part of the deal, but I liked how low maintenance a relaxer could be. I know firsthand how much work goes into caring for my own natural hair. When I was natural, I felt like my hair was an all-day event on wash days. I haven’t felt this way with relaxed hair. Some of us don’t care what friends and family or men will think, we just want ease in styling and find that in relaxers. That being said, I DO miss my natural hair.
PK – Well said. Take care.
My biggest fear is length. I know, I know- that’s totally stupid right!?
But I’ve always had long hair, until college, it wasn’t shorter than BSL. And when I eventually cut it due to increased breakage in college, I hated it. I hated that it was just past my shoulders and my ponytails looked thinner and smaller than ever! I honestly still hate my hair length – it’s about three inches from BSL right now and I’m just disappointed in that. Still, I’m transitioning anyway. I know my hair will grow better and healthier if I stop relaxing it. Unfortunately, I’m afraid of shrinkage. I know I need to stop worrying about this – at least until I’m fully natural, but I can’t help it!
Tel – Your fear definitely isn’t stupid. If it’s important to you, then it’s important. To really grow long hair, it’s critical that you have patience with your hair and utilize healthy hair care practices.
Kenneth
In Feb. 2008 I got my last relaxer and transitioned until April 2008 – my hairstylist when she cut my hair left some straight ends in the front (I guess she was concerned with my protruding forehead not looking right for a natural style”) but I wanted it off so I went to a male barber and he was so thrilled that I made the decisioni to go natural that he reminded me that I am ok the way I was created. Immediately going natural my concern was what some of the “church folks” would say but Thank God, no one was negative in their comments to me. When I went natural for me it was letting God know that I appreciate and love what He created in me, and He is the only One that I am concerned about as to what He thinks of me.
Today that same hair stylist loves my hair. I recenty had her blow dry and flat iron my hair and I cried because it wasn’t me for the first time I realized that being natural was not a style or a fad for me but how I would live out the rest of my life. I love my hair, I love my face, I love my forehead, I love me (I am not perfect but I was created by a perfect God who doesn’t make any errors.
Thank you and be Blessed!
thank you for the information on natural hair and I totally agree I love my natural hair and the healthy response of my hair . it’s been 8months since my last cut/trim no relaxer remain in my hair I would like to have more versatility in styles for different looks during the growth process , my present length is medium short ,hangs to the ear… so I’ll continue to look for natural hair STYLES… I have a procduct that work for my type of hair… and I love not having to go the a hair salon every two week …
I’ve been really thinking about going natural for years now and I’m finally at that point where it’s now or never! My biggest fear is going to BC and worrying about how I would look with very short hair. The crazy thing is my hair is very short now ( I cut it short due to breakage from stress)!! I’ve always had very long and thick hair, and I’m wanting to get that back. I’ve tried to go natural before (when my hair was long) but I just could not get past the transitioning stage. After 5 months, I was back to relaxing again!! So, at this point I’m guessing the BC may be the right choice, I’m just not sure of what to do after that!!