I thought this would be an interesting topic to launch. Please chime in!At times, I wonder if a decision to “go natural” transforms other areas of our lives. Everyone wants to look and feel their very best, inside and outside. So when one chooses to stop chemically straightening their hair, what other lifestyle choices are scrutinized? As we focus on taking better care of our hair, we tend to closely dissect the ingredients in our hair products. At times people commit to only eliminating certain things while some want to use ALL natural products in their hair.
Does this lead to a commitment to demand better ingredients in the things we consume? Does our focus and thoughts shift to TOTAL well-being; spiritually, mentally and physically? How has your decision to go natural affected your thinking in regards to total well-being?
I’d love to open this up for discussion/debate. Let me know if you want to see this turn into a series of some sort. . . .
Thanks for reading. Be blessed!
CallaLily
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12 comments:
This is a good topic! I'm curious to see others' responses. I know when I first went natural, I was still using the same "non-natural" products I used on my relaxed hair. For example, there was B&B Oil Moisturizer, Neutrogena Silk-Touch Leave-In, Garnier Fructise, etc. Then I jumped on the "natural" products bandwagon that was prevalent on some hair boards. I've looked back a couple of times, but always return to "mostly natural and homemade" hair care because a) it just works for me and b) my fave commericial products got discontinued one by one.
Natural care did filter a bit to my skin care routine and other lifestyle areas. However, I'm not sure if I would be on this path if I hadn't seen other naturals on it at first. Naturals were my introduction to the natural path. Then my own personal benefits kept me on this path.
Callalily,
When I decided to go natural ...honestly, this decision at the time.. didn't ulter any other part of my life ( except spiritually, that...I have always, tried to keep first & foremost).
But... I noticed that....that all began to take a slow change...as I grew more intreseted in taking care of myself better, my health, what I eat...even the meals I give my family...the way I think , the way I look at certain situations ...all of these things are/ have began to change for the better.
So, in short as for my self....yes, I certainly feel that my decision to go natural has opened up doors for me that I am not completely sure I would have found in interest in if it hadn't been for the hair journey I am on now.
Really, great discussion, btw
Take care ( smiles)
@ Loo - yes, I'm looking forward to the responses as well.
Thanks for stopping by and giving your feedback!
@ zainab1 - I personally have similar feelings to your closing statement. I think making a healthier hair choice will eventually make you to look at your well-being as a whole.
I have been natural for 9 years now. I was only 20 when I started. At that time, the emphasis was just on my hair. I didn't want to perm it anymore, but that is where it stopped.
Over the years I have become more interested in how I can apply that same energy into other areas of my life. I am more discriminating with what I use i my hair, I am mopre in tune with my spirituality, and now I am interested in seeing how else I can be more natural in my life.
My journey was somewhat the opposite of many naturals. I ate mainly organic and minimally processed foods, recycled, exercised and basically tried to live as healthy as possible before "going natural". I finally reached a point where putting chemicals into my hair just did not fit who I was. Choosing to wear my hair in its natural state and using mainly natural products on it just feels more like "me".
@ Natural Review - thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm glad you are finding additional avenues/opportunies toward your health.
@ Basic Woman - Did already having the lifestyle mindset you had before going natural make your journey a bit easier (mentally and emotionally)? Did you transition or BC?
@CallaLily - Having the lifestyle mindset definitely helped b/c there are not a lot of naturals around me. My husband was also super supportive. I transitioned (in a kinky curly weave) for about a year then I cut the remaining relaxed ends. My hair was still much shorter than it's ever been but once I learned how to treat it, it started growing like wildfire!
I definitely have to say that going natural with my hair has gone hand-in-hand with my decision to eat things with healthy ingredients. Once I decided to let go of the chemicals on my hair it made sense for me to look at reducing and eliminating the chemicals/unnatural ingredients I put on my skin and in my body(food). I've also noticed that my lifestyle is growing to include going green and reducing my carbon footprint.
When I look back on things, its amazing to reflect on how much my views have evolve into a healthier lifestyle overall. Although, I don't assume that every person whose decided to go natural goes through this, I do feel that a number of people experience this "awakening" of sorts.
@ CO - thanks for dropping by and putting in your 2 cents :-)
You just seem to be so discipline in other areas (fitness & nutrition), I was wondering if natural hair followed as a result of that.
Thanks dear. For the most part, I've always been conscious about eating better & fitness but it went to another level after going natural. It's as if my decision to bc opened my thinking up a lot more. Before bc, I never considered taking yoga or bellydancing. Before bc, I never considered segwaying into a high vegan/raw vegan diet. It's as if once the chemicals were completely off of my hair, I became completely open.
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