So this happened today…I cut (with Reese’s help of course) my dreads!
After nearly four years of growing them, I finally decided they had to go. I had been thinking about cutting them off and on for the last year, but all those insecurities that can come with having short hair kept holding me back.
Those feelings are ironic for a couple of reasons. Reason #1: Six years ago this weekend (Feb. 17 to be exact), I did this very thing. I chopped off my shoulder length relaxed tresses and started my natural hair journey. And I must say, it’s as liberating today as it was then. Reason #2: It’s just hair. If/when I decide to grow it back, I will.
But right now I’m on a mission. You see I’ve always had this obsession with having long hair. It’s the reason I didn’t go with my first instinct nearly four years ago to cut the natural hair I’d been growing successfully for 2.5 years. It’s part of the reason I decided to loc my hair though I said I never would.
The decision to cut my hair flies in the face of that obsession and that’s exactly why I decided to do it. It’s obsession driven by fear and unfounded fear at that. I’m big on confronting some fears, particularly those that I have complete control over. That’
s why in addition to the hair cut, I plan to rock my hair this short, or shorter for at least a year. That means no obsessing over growing it out, or not doing something to it because it might hurt length retention. Cut and color, here I come.
After Reese finished snipping the last lock, she said I was fearless. I’m not, but I want to be. I’m not fearless, at least not in enough moments of my life, but what I do know for sure is that a Ricks with a made up mind is a force to be reckoned with.
I don’t ever want to be so attached to something that matters so little out of fear. Fear that what I’m doing won’t be accepted by others, or fear that letting go will be so life altering that I can’t recover.
— Ricks
February 15, 2013 at 6:49 PM
Love it!
LikeLike
February 15, 2013 at 6:57 PM
You look gorgeous, doll! LOVE it!
LikeLike
February 15, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Thank you so much! I know everyone isn’t going to love it, but that’s OK. I do and that’s what matters most.
LikeLike
February 15, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Thanks lady!
LikeLike
February 15, 2013 at 7:34 PM
I.Love.Natural.Hair!!
LikeLike
February 16, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Inspired by your courage. You look beautiful!
LikeLike
February 16, 2013 at 7:44 PM
Thank you so much Cyrenthia!
LikeLike
February 19, 2013 at 1:01 AM
Ricks you look great! I had locs for 9 years. 3 years ago I cut them off. Rocked a fro and now I rock a look so low all I can do is brush it. I LOVE IT. Kudos to you for letting go up attachment to hair. I know how you feel; I am practicing letting go as well.
LikeLike
February 19, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Thanks Deborah. I plan on rocking my short every which way I can possibly think of including just what you’ve described. This time I’m going to enjoy the ride!
LikeLike
March 12, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Congrats. I never had the long hair obsession. My hair has been long, it’s been short, it’s been shaved on one side. I went natural long before it “popular”. When I loc’d it was because secretly I had always wanted locs and had been afraid to go for it. Congrats for facing your fears and letting go.
LikeLike
March 12, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Thanks for the encouragement. It was an odd and inherited obsession. I’m glad to be free of it.
LikeLike