7 Things That Can Discourage You on Your Journey

1.  The length of your hair after the big chop: I got a little frustrated after my big chop because I did not look as cute as I thought I was going to look, and my hair kind of let me down because no gel could define my curls. On top of that I could not do a good wash and go. My number one discouragement was not being able to put my hair in a bun.
2. People around you:  My husband loves straight hair. He hates seeing my hair in a bun, so it’s needless to say that my natural hair was not welcome in the house. My mother-in-law was shocked when I told her that I will never relax my hair again. I have a lady at my job who said she will never go natural because natural hair is hard to manage.
3. Bad hair day: A bad hair day can make you reach for a relaxer if you have it around the house. I had a bad hair day the first time I used amla oil on my hair. My hair became unmanageable. It was hard, thick, tangled, and it shrunk all the way to my scalp. Certain products can leave our hair a certain way sometimes.
4. Limited hair styles: There are certain hair styles that we cannot rock right after the big chop because we cannot straighten our hair or do a good twist out on freshly washed hair. It can be very discouraging when your options are limited.
5. Keeping the hair manageable after each wash: Sometimes having the right shampoo, sealer, conditioner,  moisturizer, and leave-in conditioner is not enough to get your hair back to its normal state. I remember one Saturday my hair came out so crunchy after using a hair dryer. I had to wait two days before I could get my hair back to its normal state.
6. Unrealistic goals: I think we set ourselves up for failure when we set goals that we know that we will not be able to achieve. Our hair grows 1/2 an inch a month on average, that’s one inch of hair every two months. You will not have two inches of hair in two months, unless you are using some growth hormone.
7. Forgetting about the destination: I heard a fellow you-tuber said once, “I do not look good with short hair, but I will be really happy when my is longer.” I feel the same way. I have seen a lot of sisters who started their journey two years ago, and now they have long, beautiful hair. We need to keep our eyes on the destination too, not only the journey.

           In conclusion, I have a few suggestions if you are going through any of these issues. Don’t worry about what people have to say about your hair. I know that my husband does not like curly hair, but I am doing this for myself. Set realistic goals, or don’t set goals at all so you don’t get disappointed. Use wigs or hair extensions if  you cannot manage the short hair. If you like braids, buy hair that have the same texture as your hair and get some micro braids. I love micro braids because you can get different hair styles. Avoid products or tools that make your hair dry. Finally, keep your eyes on the prize; there is light at the end of the tunnel.