I Didn't Straighten My Naturally Curly Hair All Summer And I Found Self Confidence
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

I Didn't Straighten My Naturally Curly Hair All Summer And I Found Self Confidence

Surprising things happen when you break routine.

419
I Didn't Straighten My Naturally Curly Hair All Summer And I Found Self Confidence
Personal Photo

I was born with naturally curly hair. And no, I don't mean the beachy, wavy curls all our favorite Hollywood actresses don on the red carpet. I'm talking about the untamable, sometimes unmanageable, NATURAL curls. When I was younger, I used to have tight ringlet curls.

As I got older, they loosened and frizzed right up, creating a monster no detangling spray could fix. At the time, I was probably about 13, when my mom bought us our first straightener. Like me, my mom also has naturally curl hair. Sometimes, it's just too much to handle, and straightening seemed to be the easiest way to look presentable. So, thus began my long, almost 10 year journey of straightening my hair almost everyday.

There was a period of time when I was 16-17 where my hair was incredibly long, and I never straightened it because even that became too much of a hassle and my hair looked semi-cute curly. Of course, I had to straighten my side swept bangs no matter what, though.

It wasn't until I went to college where I really felt pressured to look my best 24/7. I'd wash my hair every other day, air dry it, and straighten it at night. With a hectic schedule and working almost 30 hours a week, you can imagine how much time this took out of my life. The thing is, I didn't have an identity outside of my straight hair. My friends knew me as the girl with the silky long straight hair. Guys only showed interest in me when I had straight hair. I used to fear stepping out of the house with my natural curls because to me, that was just unacceptable.

Well, this summer I took on quite the challenge. I didn't straighten my hair at ALL. How did I do it, you ask? Well, I'd like to say that one day I just woke up loving my true self and rocked my natural hair, but that's not the case at all. You see, when I started dating my boyfriend, I had a rough day and he came over and saw my naturally curly disaster that I was, and guess what? He LOVED my natural hair. Matter of fact, one day while I was straightening my hair, visibly dying from the heat, he said to me, "Why do you straighten your hair? I love your natural curls. Matter of fact, I prefer it." I looked at him with my half done hair and my mouth fell open.

"What? You don't like my hair better straight?" I was kind of shocked and a little upset. "No, actually, I don't really like your hair straight at all." Ouch. This was a major blow to my ego. All this time I thought I was presenting the best side of me to him, and he preferred my #JustWokeUp look. For awhile I was insulted, but then I realized he was complimenting my natural beauty, not dissing it.

So, when summer came, it became more of a chore than anything to straighten my hair. Between going in the pool, beach, showering, it just didn't seem feasible to ALWAYS be straightening my hair.

I started going to work with curly hair, to the store, to hang out with friends-- all the things I was scared to do before. I was doing it, and no one was treating me differently. If anything, I got more compliments than when I would have straight hair.

Now, I'm not saying my confidence is fixed and I'll never touch a straightener again, but I have learned to love my hair. I've also learned to listen to it, as well. I'm finding what hair products work for my natural hair, what moisturizes it and tames the ffrizz, and what makes it cakey and unnatural.

Overall, I have learned that just like anything else, my hair needs balance. I don't ALWAYS have to straighten it to look my best. I don't ALWAYS have to straighten it to impress people. And mostly, I learned I don't exist to impress people. If you don't like me because my hair curls, then you're the one with the confidence issues, not me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44014
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27702
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952512
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

150399
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments