The Grateful Dread

I started dreading my hair on December 30, 2011. Tomorrow marks my one month of having them!

Why would I ever want dreads?

I am a gradual person, and this can be seen very well in how my eating habits have changed over the last 8 years. I am not an all-or-nothing kind of lady. I first cut out soda, and added in more whole grains and greens. I then cut out corn syrup. Then I ate raw until dinner. I added in more and more fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds until I was used to it and became completely raw. Now I have found my balance and am at about 50-75% raw a day. What was once a struggle before is now natural to me.

Much like my eating habits, my dreads have come from a step by step process. I am moving more and more towards natural products and natural living. I stopped wearing metal. I took out all my piercings. I went from using deodorant with aluminum in it, to natural deodorant, to nothing at all. (this really does prompt me to eat better, as you smell like what you eat, ha.) I’m now looking into natural perfume, lotion, and skin care as well.

So on to my dreads. I had been fascinated with them for a while, and had thought about it/researched it quite a bit. I love how unique they are to the individual that wears them. No two sets of dreads are the exact same, and there is something about the wildness of them that I love. A friend of mine combed hers out for her wedding, and that’s when I learned that they do not have to be cut out as the only way to get rid of them. I also learned through research that dreads are healthier and actually dread better with clean hair–the myth that all dreads are dirty is completely untrue.

I got the okay from work last August, but I was still waiting on it and researching. Early on in December, a friend of mine passed away. I decided that I didn’t want to wait anymore to do what I want, even if it’s something as simple as changing my hairstyle. I had permission from my job, and my friends and family were (mostly) supportive, even if some were hesitant. :]

There are many different methods to begin dreading your hair. I chose a method called twist and rip (tnr)–which is not painful or as terrifying as it sounds. It really should be called something else, haha. Other than leaving your hair alone completely, it is the least damaging method to create dreads. You do not get insta-dreads with tnr the way you do with other methods, but I wanted to do it this way for a few reasons.

For one, it’s my personality. I like to take things fairly gradual and enjoy the journey. (hi, 6 1/2 year relationship with the bf!) Two, the gradual formation of the dreads helps my coworkers get used to how I look. My manager was really convinced I’d come in the next week looking like Bob Marley, haha. Three, it’s cool to see my hair do its thing. It’s fun to find little knots and loops that weren’t there the day before.

I am very happy with the maintenance aspect of having dreads. I don’t have to use or buy any hair product anymore. My products went from 6-7 in my arsenal, to none. I have soooo much more space in my bathroom now! I wash my hair every 2-3 days with either a residue free shampoo called Dr. Bronners, or a mix using baking soda and essential oils. I also won’t have to spend money on haircuts, though I’d like to do something fun with my bangs once my hair calms down a little more.

By accepting my hair on a daily basis, I am also accepting myself. I don’t worry about my appearance as much as I did before.

I’m looking forward to the months ahead and seeing how things go!