Going Natural

I think I’m going natural…

One of the things I keep reading about going natural is that it should be chronicled and while I’m halfheartedly accepting this idea there is one thing about going natural (to date anyway) that really has me perplexed.    

When I mention that I’m considering going natural people are asking me “why?”, “What made you decided to do that?” It maked me wonder why I need a reason to go natural.  Why do I need a reason to be me?  Why do I have to justify NOT changing my appearance?  Why do I have to have a “reason” to look the way God intended me to (well minus the bushy eyebrows and mustache….He and I will talk about that at a later date)?

 No one asked me why….. when I had a china-straight weave going down my back. No one asked me why, when I dyed my hair “honey blonde”.   Not one person asked me why when I had blonde streaks.  Not a one!  So based on my experience as long as I’m doing something unnatural it’s OK….. No explanation needed.  But as soon as I “revert” back to something entirely natural, I need to justify that decision.  I need a reason to NOT chemically alter my appearance.  Is this odd to anyone else?

So having put (too much) time into thinking about this why question here it goes….

1.       40 is a bitch and it does not like my hair being relaxed.  My once soft, flowing hair is now tough and unwieldy even after a relaxer.  It simply will not do what it always did, it never looks good to me and it was getting on my nerves

2.       After over 30 years of processing I think my brain needs a bit of a rest for soaking up sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate and ammonium sulfate just to name a few of the chemicals that have been leaching into my brain.

3.       I’ve always admired and loved the look of natural hair on black women and frankly have not had the nerve to do it myself.  That said I’m 40ish and if not now….when?

4.       Natural hair is far more accepted these days than it’s ever been (note #3) and there is a TON of information, products and supportive woman to help you along the journey!

5.       Lastly, I’m ready for something new.  I want to look like the person I envision myself to be.  The person I envision MYSELF to be and she not only has natural hair (dreds) but she also is fit and strong and sexy and smart and and and

So there you go…. That’s why.

It’s not some antiestablishment, pseudo political fight the powers that be, statement of the beauty and worth of black woman everywhere. 

It’s me doing what I always wanted to do but didn’t have enough nerve or frankly self-esteem to do when I was younger and I get to save a few brain cells to boot!!

Any other questions?