Grow, Growing, GOALS?!..

Hey guys,

So the month of April was ending and I felt that whole month was a lazy month for me. I literally did nothing!!! Went for a couple of language classes, worked on my thesis a bit, but generally nothing intense.  At some point, my boyfriend (and including myself to be honest) questioned if I was getting depressed, cause all I wanted to do, and did most times, was lay in bed watching youtube videos. Anyways, I do not think I am depressed, I just wasn't occupied much.

Because of this, I felt I needed to set up goals to motivate/occupy my time. Plus I have to study for an exam next month and seriously start working on my thesis, so I guess I should be really occupied this month.

Anyways, my May goals are:

For my Hair:
1) I need to figure out protective styles that would limit my hand in hair time to just M&S time a couple of days in a week.
2) Take my hair, skin and nails vitamins religiously.
3) Carry on with my regular hair routine. (Wash&DC weekly and sleep with stain bonnet)

For my health/body:
1) Exercise at least 3 times a week. (I signed up for a 10km race in June to motivate me with this task)
2) Eat 5 fruits and/or vegetables a day.
3) Take my daily ABC vitamins religiously.

I check back at the end of the month too see how I have done. Lets hope for the best. :)

Love,
Dumebi. :)

Its been a year....

Hello,

Well its been a year since I have been on this HHJ and I must say, I am very happy I started and I am pleased with my progress. In my last post, I lamented on the problems I had during the first few months, plus my decision to just "chill" on the length issue and focus on the health.

I am happy to say that while I focused on the health issue, I saw tons of growth. :) My last touch up was a month and some ago. I can totally see the difference in my hair from the last time. I used to be worried about my uneven growth, but I have come to learn that not all sides grow equally. Peep my progress below. These are the best comparison pictures I have as these were the only times I flat iron during this 1 year HHJ. On the left, I was 8 weeks post relaxer/ post beginning of my HHJ and on the right, 3 weeks post relaxer, after my one year mark.

I see about 3 inches progress (out of the 6"/yr)? From between shoulder and armpit length to between armpit and bra strap length. Thats good enough for me, especially after my 'August relaxer problem' and my trim.

Well, guess what? Now that I have learnt how to better take care of my hair, I have been dabbling with the idea of going natural. I am really indecisive about this one, but I think I will try and transition and then see. I know for sure that if I do decide to go natural, I will long term transition, so I have been searching for long term 4a/b/c transitioners to use as guides.

Guys, I think I found one. One of my all time fav relaxed hair ladies Jen from just grow already!, recently announced that she will be long term transitioning from her texlaxed hair, and from the pictures, seems like her hair falls in the 4 type category. I plan to follow her lead on this one as she inspired and helped (unknowingly) with my HHJ.

I think seeing her post was really the 'sign' if you may cause just like her, I am totally indecisive. Anyways, I have a little more free time now so I will keep you posted on this long-stretch/transitioning journey of mine.

Love,
Dumebi.

My Journey: 8 months and counting. Performance, Problems, Pictures.

Hello,

Perhaps I should first start by apologizing? I have not blogged in months and I have no reason. For that, I am sorry. Today I decided to check my blog and I found out I have few readers. As little as they may be, I am happy. Hello readers!!! This blog is not only to inform people about my findings, and my hair journey, it is also for me to keep track of my "doings".

Right now, I am torn. I started this journey back in March with hair barley touching my shoulder. I had just taken out my braids and was well past 12 weeks posts. Decided to "nurture" my hair they right way and then relaxed two weeks after. After my relaxer, I continued with my regimen and decided to stretch. Between that stretch, I had braids for about a month and a half, and by August, I relaxed again after about 19 weeks and some days stretch.

My August touch up was a fail. I left the relaxer in for way too long and let my sister comb it (this I know is a nono). The result? My hair fell out!! It was everywhere and I cried. I was mad at everyone including myself. I was mad that I was watching all my hard work fall into the drain. I was just furious. This is why I am torn. I expected to see growth but my hair seemed "stagnant". There was no difference between my March touch up and August, at least in my eyes.

However, I see a difference with thickness. My ends seem healthier, and for that I should and am happy.

I guess you can say I was reminded that for one to retain length, one has to grow healthy hair. I have now chucked up the past 8 months to learning about how to get healthy hair and now, as from next week when I plan to get my next relaxer (15 weeks post), I will focus more on maintaining health and now retaining length.

I have read and I am still reading on how and what to do before, during and after getting a relaxer. I still have not decided wether or not I should go get it professionally done or do it myself (never done it myself btw). But by next week, I will know.

I am currently deciding if I should do the inversion method for the days leading up to my relaxer. Please let me know your views on this.

Below are my pictures from March till now. I will do an official length check after my relaxer next week and use that as my base for this "new" journey.

Tell me what you think. Do I still need to work on my ends? Although I got a trim two weeks ago, I still feel I should trim again.

Love,
Dumebi :)

The very beginning

Left - September 2013, Right - March 2013 (Right when I began my journey)

Left - August '13 Touch up, Right March '13 Touch up.
As you can see, the difference is little due to the relaxer mishap.