Naturally You

At first I thought this post would only speak to Black chicks, but y’know what? I was wrong. This post is for everyone who fights what nature has given them, at least in the hair department. What I’m about to say may be common sense to many, but I’m going to talk about it anyway.

People, life is SO much easier when you embrace and learn to love what the fates and the universe have given you. Ladies and gents, dump the curling irons, the blow driers, hair straighteners, the lye, and the unnatural chemical laced products you’re used to using on a daily basis. Let go of the things you’ve been brainwashed to think you need to look the way society wants you to look. Give yourself a break, even if it’s just a mini one.

Experiencing the world is so much easier when you don’t have these things to worry about, and when you’re used to not using them in your day to day life, they’re that much easier to go without while you’re travelling.

Two or so years ago I went on a month long trip to Denmark (wonderful!) and Sweden (fun!) with a super short stint in Switzerland. At the time I was blow drying and flat ironing my seriously kinky/curly hair everyday, and as you can probably guess, it was hell to deal with. The Danish bathrooms I encountered were not like American bathrooms. They were small, had very little counter space, and were basically a huge shower with a toilet and sink in it. I love them, they capture my wannabe minimalist heart, but they don’t make for easy hair straightening when you’re not used to them (and when you don’t want to be rude and take up the bathroom for 30 minutes). I gave up straightening my hair about a week in and wore hats the whole time. I was so uncomfortable. I felt disheveled, unattractive and just a general mess. Who can enjoy their travels when they feel like that?

Fast forward a couple years and I am so glad to be free of the burden that was straightening my ultra curly hair. Last years travels were here in the states, Portland and Burning Man (both great!), and not having to deal with my hair was fantastic! I took a wide toothed comb, leave in conditioner (to Portland, not Burning Man), a couple clips and a few headbands, that’s it! I’d wake up, shower, rinse my hair, slap on a headband, a clip, and TADA, done!

I believe there’s freedom in acceptance. If your hair is bone straight, frizzy, big, or gloriously kinky and curly, please do what you can to embrace it. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much you grow to love that part of you!