For those of you who are worried that your journey is going slow, don't fret. Who knows how long your journey will take. My picture here is my 1 year 7 day progress using the twist & rip method after letting my hair separate naturally. Some people can have mature dreads in 1 year, some take 2 years. We are all different in our own special ways. Peace 
My hair lightens with the sun, so it looks darker up top. I think my daughter had the camera setting on vivid color, because it is actually brown with a tad of grey mixed in.
KnotLady said:
is the lightening on the ends natural?
Thanks, my hair was almost to my waist when I started my journey, That one just stayed behind in class:)
melanie rose said:
I really love that loc that's longer than the rest! They sure have lots of character:] congrats on the dreadiversary, and many more to come..
that was me when i was 17. it was to my butt andi cut 4 inches and cried.
melanie rose said:
Holy cow, that's some serious shrinkage. I commend you on your strength, I've realized how many females base their feelings of beauty in the length of their hair. I've literally seen family members in tears over losing 3 inches to a hair cut!
i hope minedo that!
the Barrellady said:
My hair lightens with the sun, so it looks darker up top. I think my daughter had the camera setting on vivid color, because it is actually brown with a tad of grey mixed in.
KnotLady said:is the lightening on the ends natural?
I, too, am a fan of LongDread. 
Yeah, my hair's pretty much knotting at the same pace as yours. Looked in the mirror on my 7-month dreadiversary and was a little disappointed at how slowly things were moving...and then realized how ironic it was to think that. For many people, myself included, the goal of dreading is to give up a little piece of one's vanity, to not spend time worrying about your hair, etc. Apparently, that piece of vanity is still intact within me. X( Heh.
