"You're the twin with the bigger hair, right?"

Yes, this question is surprisingly asked a lot when new friends are trying to tell the difference between my twin sister and I. If someone would have said this to me three to six years ago I probably would have shed a few tears when I got home from school.

When reflecting on my middle school and early high school years, I realize how self-conscious I was about my hair. I think I googled "ways to make my hair less curly" at least once a day. My sophomore year of high school was spent straightening my hair every single day. If I could go back and smack myself, I would. I can barely wake up on time for anything as it is, but the fact that I woke up hours early every single day boggles my mind!

All throughout middle school and part of high school I was envious of girls with sleek shiny straight hair. Nobody threw pieces of paper in their hair! It was an ongoing battle every day to try to be confident with my crazy curls.

It wasn't until my Junior year of high school when I decided to stop worrying about my hair or trying to change it. I stopped trying to make myself and my hair something I could never be. Instead, I embraced it. Instead of googling the best straighteners, I looked up ways to make my curly hair the healthiest it could be.

I can attribute this new found confidence to my mom, who always pushed me to love my curls, I definitely should have listened to her sooner! I can also attribute this to my youtube addiction, because a lot of you-tubers at the time were uploading their hair care routines, which I religiously watched.

Now, I can honestly say I cannot remember the last time I straightened my hair. Sure there is always the occasional day where I wake up and look like Mufasa from the Lion King, but a simple messy high top bun pushes away any thoughts of digging out my straightener. I have learned to love my "big hair" and fully embrace wearing my hair natural.

I strongly suggest if you use heat on your hair weekly to just take a break and wear it natural for a day. I am sure you will receive many compliments and maybe even grow to love it more than your straight hair!