Thank You, Natural Hair, For Showing Me Who I Am
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Thank You, Natural Hair, For Showing Me Who I Am

I never knew that going natural would not only change my hair, but it would change my life as a whole.

155
Thank You, Natural Hair, For Showing Me Who I Am
Shalayna Burns

My freshman year of college, I made the decision over Thanksgiving break to transition my hair from relaxed to natural.

I have been getting relaxers since about the age of five, my first relaxer being for my kindergarten graduation.

I loved the idea of straight hair and felt that I looked very cute. My hair was so easy to comb and manage, and it was very nice to be able to do so. When my perm finally gave out and my hair reverted back to its coarse state, I felt that it was the end of the world. The fear of getting made fun of for my "nappy hair" made me never want to embrace my "fro." I even remember a girl in my second-grade class who came in with bantu knots, and the whole class kept teasing her. That also added on to my fear of wearing my hair in its natural state. I'm 10 years old, why should I get myself laughed at? I let my mom keep my hair braided, wear box braids, twists, and weave when I got to high school.

My first day wearing my hair curly was very nerve-racking.

My calculus professor stated that he didn't notice me because my hair was different and I automatically felt like I looked stupid. However, the professor, as well as other peers, complimented my new hairstyle and I felt confident. I was very shy and closed off in high school, and during my freshman year of college, I felt my confidence progressively boost. I started experimenting with my hair, doing my research, and learning cool styles that work for me. Being confident with my hair led to me being comfortable in my whole body.

Thank you, natural hair, for showing me who I am.

Thank you for helping me become the carefree, careless, and unapologetic woman that I am today. Even if my natural hair isn't the direct cause of it, my coils helped me flourish in all aspects of my life.

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.

45909
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?

29069
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.

953483
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.

160299
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