I just read a post by another member who ranted in part about the advice given on what not to do when growing dreadlocks. Through years of knowledge, members will share the dangers of certain methods. Why do we give a shit??? Because we care, because we want you to be able to grow your dreads for life if you so choose to. You don't have to take any advice given, make your own decision for your own journey.

I am 100% against crochet hooks, YET, I created a group for those of you who choose to do so. Some of you don't have the patience to wait, and that's okay, your hair...some of you only want to grow dreads for a couple of years or so and don't want to wait 1-2 years for them to mature, I totally understand. For those of you who crochet, share your pics, tips etc with others who share the same technique: http://www.dreadlockssite.com/group/crochet-group

I would never add extensions to my own hair (for spiritual reasons), YET, I also started a group for members to give each other how to tips, maintenance tips and for sharing their photos. I have no tips to give on these, but they were made with you in mind, so contribute if you can: http://www.dreadlockssite.com/group/extenstions-group

I guess I should end this now, but what I was trying to get at when I started was that I / we are not trying to be mean, or to insult, I / we only have your best interest at heart, we want you to make an educated decision before you do something or continue to do something. Maybe you did not know of any future problems, maybe you do, I / we don't know that. Just be thankful we care and make your own decisions.

Well my friends, here I am at 14 months into my journey, my dreads are finally not so wild looking anymore. Hopefully in 6 more months they will be fully mature. My bangs aren't dreading, but that's okay, maybe one day they will. Enjoying everything I have been through so far, wild ride and all, everything I have learned and everything that has yet to come....Peace

Namaste my peace loving dreadheads, I thought it was about time that I posted some photos on my twist & rip dread journey. It has been 11 months since I threw away my hairbrush, shampoos and vanity.

In the photo below, my hand shows how long my hair was when I started my freedom. As you can see, I have one section that was held back at school, does not want to join it's friends yet.

I can't believe how much my hair shrank from long straightness. When I first began the journey, I knew it slowly feeds it way up, thickening as it goes, but somehow this was a surprise to me, how short it really got in such a short time. I must have a metal plate in my head, I try to take turns on how I sleep, but I always manage to wake on the right side of my head. They are shorter than the other side. Still messy looking too. Ah now, here is the left side with the longer sections due to my sleeping habits. No worries though, they will catch up eventually. Underneath all that mess are very short, locking up dreads, up the nape of my neck. I am amazed they really shrunk that short from such long hair. You read about it, but to experience it is another thing. At the moment there is a count of 76 sections.

I noticed that the skinnier sections that I T&R'ed were done tighter, but not on purpose. Anyone doing their hair this method should always do them loosely, and don't let the skinny ones fool you, do em loose too.

I have gone through some days that I thought I looked like a troll, yep, even took pics on those days for my own personal journal, but I won't share those ones. Ha, Ha. I am finally very comfortable not wearing a tam when going out. Luckily I work from home, so the troll was able to stay under the bridge, site unseen. I am by no means vain, nor care about makeup and such, but I really did look like a crazy person for awhile there.

The reason I posted this was because I read many of you worried about your hair not maturing fast. You see photos of people 1 year in and they look fantastic already. Well, look at mine, they are on their way, but not close to mature. We all dread at a different pace. I hope that these photos help ease your mind. Don't worry, just enjoy the ride.

My locks are getting tighter underneath at the nape of my neck, all my hair is very lightweight and free flowing, thanks to this site teaching me about natural hair care. So my fellow dreadies, this is me at 11 months into my dreadhead for life. You'll see me soon again when I notice a change. Cheers!