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To you this slightly uninteresting – maybe even unimportant.

Pointless, if you will.

I’m sharing it because it’s apart of who I am.

I have been doing hair, of all types and styles since I was 15, with no former training. It’s just a gift. I had one trip to the salon for what are known as micro-braids…and it ended with me never going again. The woman braided them in so tightly, a piece of my hairline twisted out.

There were so many things I tried and succeeded at – full weaves, braiding, cuts and dyes. Chemical straightening, lightening. And not just for African American women, all types. Including a Korean woman.

The straw that broke the camels back was the disrespect I received. Especially from family. Not paying me for hours of work (which would normally cost hundreds of dollars.) I once received payment for $10, when I had done nearly eight hours of work.

I have kicked two people out of my home – one for yelling at me. The other for not bringing the entire amount that was agreed upon. I look back and realize I should have had a deposit rate, but it’s a thing of the past.

I stopped altogether nearly ten years ago. I was in a relationship that wasn’t good by any means. He mocked everything I did, and I felt lowly for a long time.

No matter what style I tried, he found a way to put me down. So, I either didn’t style my hair or gave myself an undercut, and kept it moving.

My hair grows exceptionally well. So habitual cutting was the name of the game. It’s thick – straight or curly. It just never crossed my mind to do anything else.

One day recently, I really wanted to braid my hair again. It has been about a year of me thinking it. I finally did so yesterday…

And I couldn’t be happier.

It’s this gift that’s kept me from salons. I learned about curly hair and other hair types. I knew and understood myself. As an example, my mother said “black women can grown their hair.” The correct terminology for myself is Afro – Latina. My curl type pattern is 4a and 3c.

Because of my understanding, willingness to learn, and appreciation of my own follicles, I developed an identity away from her foolishness.

Yesterday was a high. I finished a full head of braids, and they’ll last me close to two months if you care for them properly.

Stepping back into something I love was needed.