A neglected baby, that sounds terrible! But it is wonderful and exciting and unexpected at the same time. Here it is:

I had given up on this hair ever dreading. I T&R'd several times and every time it came undone. I tried backcombing with the same result. I put a rubber band around it in the hope that knots would form, but no. Not a single sign of this hair wanting to dread at all. So I figured it would always be loose hair and to be honest I didn't really care and just let it be.

A few days ago I noticed this knot. It wasn't very big and I thought it would just fall out like every other knot had.Yesterday when I washed my hair I was sure that it would be gone but it's still there and even got a bit tighter after the wash. Sotodayit feels safe to declare to the world that I have my very first neglect dread and I love it!

I can't believe it's already been a 1/2 year since I started my dreads. I want to share some very personal experinces with you on my journey that I have not mentioned earlier.

If you have read my first blog post you'll already know that dreading hit me on the head hard and that it took less than 24 hours from the time I even considered dreads to when I started them. It was instant love for me and truly a part of a new beginning in my life.

The same week that I decided to start my dreads I also started a green rehab program that lasted for 3 months. For almost a year prior to that a burnout and a very deep depression had kept me almost isolated from the world. When I was finally able to seek help I met 3 wonderful women (a doctor, a psychiatrist, and a physical therapist) who helped me return to life and helped me get into the rehab program.

I loved every minute of the 3 months. 4 hours a day, 4 days a week we spent time in the woods observing nature and we created beautiful things with what nature provided for us. A lot of the rehab was about acceptance and mindfulness, we started and ended every day with being aware and accepting our bodies and minds.

I am sure that my hair helped me on this journey of acceptance. From day 1 it made me happy and I felt close to nature in a similar way I used to feel when I was a kid. My hair made me feel special, strong, and proud. It empowered me!

The journey continues for me and now I've been workin half-time for 2 months. I love ever second of it and I meet alot of different people every day. Not once have my hair been an issue and I'm grateful for that. If anything it gives me more credit as I'm working in a creative role and I believe dreads do express creativity.

I have my ups and downs regarding my hair just as most people do, but on the whole I love it and I can't imagine ever giving up on my dreads. They mean so much to me, much more than just another hair-do. They are a symbol of me getting back to life and health and happiness.

This photo was taken in January, 2,5 months into my dread journey and a week before my rehab program was completed. During December andJanuarywe had a few bad storms and several trees fell. We used the wood from these trees to make brooms. This is the broom I made.

Today I learned an important lesson that I want to share with you all:

If you have dreads and wear glasses, never ever put your glasses on your head!!!

I did, and it took my husbanda good10 minutes toget the glasses outand he even had to cut intoa dread to free them. My scalp is still sore from the treatment and the poor dread has some recovering to do.

Oh well, you live, you learn.

It's been 3,5 months now, and the one "problem" I have is that I can't stop playing with my hair. My hands and fingers find their way to my dreads without me noticing. I think I'm developing a tennis elbow from bending my arm to much...(Or maybe I should call it a dread elbow but that just sounds wrong.)

I've been wondering how this affects my dreads. Would they be moredreaded without my tender, loving touch? Would I have less loose hairs? Would the dreads be prettier? You know what, I decided that I don't care. I love my loose hair and if it takes me a little longer to get mature dreads, that's ok. I want to be able to feel the progress.

I don't look at my dreads a whole lot butevery time I do I'm so surprised that they're not more visible. When I touch my hair I feel the dreads much more than all the loose hair, when I use my eyes all I see is the loose hair, not the dreads. So touching beats looking, at least at the stage I'm at right now.

I love finding a new loop with my fingers or a dread that all of a sudden feels thicker and more mature. I love the volume and the "fluffy" feeling when I squeeze my dreads and I really enjoy playing with the beads that decorate them. I just can't get enough.

MaybeI have developed into a dreadaholic???!!!