Tales of the Big Chop: Sonia

Sonia writes:

I consider my journey unique because when I initially went natural it was through transitioning. I had not done a big chop and I was wearing my hair in a roller set — faithfully. I just could not bring myself to chop my hair off. I have been natural since 2005, but when I transitioned I did no research and really didn’t know or understand there was a different, better way to care for my tresses once it was no longer processed. I did all the same things (flat ironing, shampooing, detangling rather roughly, you name it, I did it). One of my closest friends went natural about two years later (2007), a bit on a whim (she was forced after a terrible single braid put-up and take-down…they did them waaaaaay too tight). Now she did major research before doing the "big chop", even though she knew it was something she would have to do…she shared all the websites and information with me…so I had a ‘better’ understanding of what I was suppose to do, but my time was limited and I did not fully follow a changed regimen (I co-washed and mainly did wash n’ go’s)…fast forward to 2007…it was a very rough year and the ending was the worse because I lost a child at 5 months of pregnancy (without going into too much detail I will say that it was a devastating experience and very abrupt), the stress, grief, and depression took a serious toll on me…. and my hair….2008 I attempted to work with my hair a bit, but I just wasn’t into it….2009 my hair was shedding, breaking and I did not have thick, luscious hair anymore….May 15, 2009 I cut it all off to start over again…it’s just hair right…yeah right! (I’m not a fan of that saying, though I find myself using to hide the sadness of having to cut my hair….off) It was one of the hardest decisions for me, but it just didn’t make sense to hold on to damaged length. So here I am February 2010, workin’ it… I mean workin’ it. I have a much better love and understanding of my hair now, and I can honestly, and truthfully say "I love my hair"…it took me all this time to say and mean those words. I hope other women can be inspired by this…move it forward, keep the faith, and know that it does grow back…look at me!

You can check out my fotki page to see some of my journey: http://members.fotki.com/SoBeSoNatural/about/