Life Lessons: My 7-Years Loc Journey

Let me share how my locs have taught me more about life than any self-help book ever could. Seven years ago, I sat in that salon chair, nervous and uncertain, starting my loc journey. Today, these locs have become my teachers, my diary, and my CROWN of CONFIDENCE.

The Beginning (The Humbling Phase)

No one warned me that starting locs would test every ounce of patience I possessed (which wasn't much). The first few years was quite the experience. I thought every little change meant something was wrong. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

Lesson 1: Patience is a Learned Skill

Remember watching a pot, hoping it would boil faster? That was me with my hair. Checking the mirror daily, expecting dramatic changes. My locs taught me an important lesson: "Relax. We'll grow when we're ready." Now I apply this wisdom to everything - good things truly take time.

The Journey's Phases

Year 1: "Is this normal?" (Yes, it was)

Year 2: Finally accepting my hair's personality

Year 3: Growing into myself

Years 4-7: Watching the beautiful evolution

Lesson 2: Letting Go of Control

Here's something interesting: the more I tried to control my locs, the more they did their own thing. Just like life - sometimes we need to trust the process. My best loc days? They happened when I stopped fighting and started flowing.

The Growth Experience

- Some locs grew faster than others

- Each one developed its own unique thickness

- Every loc had its distinct personality

Like people - we all grow differently, and that's perfectly fine.

Lesson 3: Community Is Essential

Finding my loc community online and at the salon was transformative. These people supported me through:

• The fuzzy stage

• The awkward length phase

• The "should I color them?" contemplation (I didn't though)

• The endless "am I doing this right?" moments

Things I Wish I'd Known Earlier

1. Your journey is uniquely yours

2. Those "perfect" locs on social media have their off days too

3. Your hair will reveal your true character

4. Simplicity is truly the ultimate sophistication

Lesson 4: Embracing Change

My locs today look nothing like they did in year one, three, or even last year. They've evolved in color, thickness, and length. It's a perfect metaphor for personal growth - constantly evolving, always becoming.

Unexpected Benefits

• Learned authentic self-expression

• Discovered hair product minimalism

• Developed unwavering confidence

• Enhanced overall self-care practices

Lesson 5: Self-Care is Essential

Monthly maintenance became my meditation time. Those hours in the chair turned into valuable self-reflection moments. When I started treating loc maintenance as self-care, this mindset positively influenced other areas of my life.

Reality Check

Some days still present challenges:

• Waking up with unusual bends? Work with them

• Locs not cooperating? Time for creative styling

• Frizzy edges? That's just extra character

The Greatest Revelation

I began this journey thinking it was about hair. Instead, I learned about:

• Cultivating patience

• Embracing self-acceptance

• Adapting to change

• Living authentically

Seven Years Later...

These locs have witnessed:

• Three career transitions

• Some relationships

• Some move

• Countless life lessons

And they continue to teach me.

Universal Truths Learned

• Your hair journey is uniquely personal

• Challenges create the best stories

• Create your own beauty standards

• Trust your intuition

To New Loc Warriors

Remember:

• Every journey is unique

• Imperfections add character

• Challenges make victory sweeter

• Trust your path

Final Reflections

Seven years in, I'm still learning. These locs consistently remind me that growth isn't always picture-perfect, but it's invariably worthwhile. They've taught me to welcome change, trust the process, and LOVE MYSELF through every phase.

To my locs: thank you for the wisdom. Here's to continuing our growth journey together.

And to everyone on their loc journey: keep going. The story only gets better with time.