At the first time i started last year around march. I was not dreading for the right reasons. I realize it is a lifestyle and not a hairstyle now. I have embraced this and am now living it out. This forum is amazing and helped me realize that. I have been going all natural now for about a month and a half with two twist and rip dreads.(the hair would always get in my face i only did this to keep it out of the way.) and i can already see progress. When i tried backcombing all it did was make me selfconsciousand feeling inadequate. I know now that natural should be the way everyone does it because of the amazinggratificationyou get when you see your hair doing what it wants and now what you try to force it to do. The journey is different this time. It has only brought me joy, Waking up to find another tiny little knot is probably the greatest feeling in the world. I know they will grow up big and strong one day in their own time and who am I to force that? Thank you eagle and the others who take the time to run this site so well. It is amazing and has helped me in my life.

• hello i have a question... i am currently in life guard training at my school and im getting my dreads on sunday. we swim almost everyday. will the pool hurt my dreads and should i use a swim cap? or will it damage them?

• please help