You friend's dreads look 'good' because of all the manipulating and products, but what's the bet she'll end up redoing them your way. By that time yours will be strong, clean, healthy and look way, way better!
I had a lot of those early on, too, and it looked a crazy mess. I thought I'd be stuck with it forever. But by nine months now most of my hair is knotting, except for a few bits near the front. So I know that slowly but inevitably, all hair will knot up. Yours too. This may sound impossible, but try forget about it. Don't crochet, don't fiddle with it, don't obsess about it in front of the mirror,don't freak. Just get up every day and do whatever you do. If people ask, say it's a work-in-progress. Some more months down the track you'll be wowed by the difference. 
I can imagine the constant copying must be annoying, but if it was me I'd do my best to ignore it. You're an inspiration to these girls who are desperately searching for a 'look.' One day they'll grow up and realize what they are doing. Then they might say something like 'You encouraged me to be different and express myself.' Laugh to yourself at the irony! Celebrities also continually have people trying to imitate them. Copying your art work is another thing, though. All artistic work is covered by copyright. You have the right to speak up.
Looks fine to me too, Heather. I can see one well-formed dread to the side of the top pic, as well as the one you're holding. I think your hair is just knotting at its own pace,perhaps not evenly, but it happens like that for a lot of us.I can't imagine you're doing anything wrong.
You know, I have to keep reminding people my dreads are a work-in-progress. We live in a culture of instant-everything. And of processed perfection - everything straight and neat and manufactured-looking. Organic isn't just about pesticide-free veggies - it's a much broader value. Sorry Heather - this is getting off-topic.
Could you post close-up pic of your hair, showing a root area?The thought that came when I read your post was that your hair is having a growing spurt, faster than it can knot up. Surely it'll balance out.
My hair is also very soft at the roots but does knot once it gets to about an inch. I'd rather have it soft rather than hard and I gave up on sea salt because it made my hair brittle, even if it slows things down.
I second your nominations for Taye, Baba and Panterra, these are the names that came to my mind too.
soaring eagle said:
android app will come after tyhe iphone 1 is fully functional but theres a whole new mobile site in the works too whicj[h is a huge huge project
but i jneed suggestions on catef]=gories and who belongs in what categories
so far
i got me taye and baba in dread gurus (thers plenty more who can go in there)
panterra in hair scalp health experts (who eklse?0/
i havent started the rest
I think it's a balance of not neglecting those you care for, while also looking to your own inner needs. Having dreadlocks, you could be showing your kids the importance of following those real needs (as opposed to momentary wants), the strength to be oneself, and tolerance to those who look 'different.' Just a thought.
Heather said:
i think i understand what your saying. i'm still going through a phase of worrying what people will say about this and that. i got married at 18 and got pregnant about 6 months later so i kind of feel like i've spent my whole life doing things for other people and making sure i fit the mommy mold that others expected of me. i wanted dreadlocks in my 20's but the "friends" in my life at the time wouldn't have supported me so i held off. i definitely didn't think i would wait until my 40's but oh well:)
hippiegal said:When I turned 50 I intentionally put aside those things I was never really interested in but hung onto because one 'should.' Since then I don't let myself be intimidated by 'shoulds' as I did when younger. I follow, as much as possible, what feels right for me. This has made me feel a lot lighter. If anyone were to say to me, 'You're too old for dreads,' I'd say, 'Not any more.' But that's my journey, yours might unfold differently. Happy birthday for Sunday!
Heather said:Okay so when does that start because that hasn't happened for me yet. Lol!
hippiegal said:I'm 55 but very much feeling younger as I get older. Anyone Elsevier feel the same?
When I turned 50 I intentionally put aside those things I was never really interested in but hung onto because one 'should.' Since then I don't let myself be intimidated by 'shoulds' as I did when younger. I follow, as much as possible, what feels right for me. This has made me feel a lot lighter. If anyone were to say to me, 'You're too old for dreads,' I'd say, 'Not any more.' But that's my journey, yours might unfold differently. Happy birthday for Sunday!
Heather said:
Okay so when does that start because that hasn't happened for me yet. Lol!
hippiegal said:I'm 55 but very much feeling younger as I get older. Anyone Elsevier feel the same?
I'm 55 but very much feeling younger as I get older. Anyone else feel the same?
