Forum Activity for @janna

Why did I open my Big Mouth?

Dreadlocks Journey Emotional Support

So I haven't even started my dreads yet and I already feel awful about them!

I am starting my dreads on Tuesday, after coming back from a trip to Idaho for my grandma's 90th birthday. I'm travelling with my mom and two brothers. Mom and I are sharing a room and so tonight I mentioned to Mom that I was going to dreadlock my hair. Now, I wasn't expecting a glowing reaction, I expected a semi-dissappointed/skeptical type reaction.

Instead, I got: "WHAT? Ohh noooo Janna don't do that!?! Oh my god! Dreadlocks?!? The are so .. gross. Ugly, you have such perfect hair! Why would you want to do that?" And lots of "ughs" and sighs and even "why did you have to say that? ..ruined my vacation"

0_o ((

I felt like crying! A few minutes later she asked if I was upset with her because of her reaction. I said no but she knew I was lying :P She did apologize and tried to explain her side/thinking. She grew up really rural and so she has very kind of conservative/social conventional views about style and such. She also said I didn't really ruin her vacation. But of course, once that's said it's hard to really take it back.

I guess I just needed to vent a little bit about it and hope maybe some of you have a little advice on how to deal or handle this. Mom and I have always been really close, I think this is the first time I've ever had such a big (negative) reaction from her. I've gone from being really excited about starting a dreadlocks journey to feeling guilty about it.

updated by @janna: 02/14/15 06:26:46AM

Starting dreads

Dreading Methods

From the research I've done the healthiest way to start dreads is the natural/neglect method. I haven't started mine yet (one week to go!!) But if you don't want to severely damage your hair then you want to ditch pretty much all products, I think, this includes 'hardware' like combs or hooks. I'm not even using shampoo anymore, just a baking soda rinse

I'm starting dreads for similar reasons as you I think. Are you as excited as I am? :P

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

One of the things I think I think/worry too much about is the sectioning :P I have refrained from asking anything about it because I figured it's one of those things that will become a little more obvious once the whole process gets started. I go back and forth between hoping my fine hair will section and start dreading fairly nicely to dreading ( no pun intended lol) that it will just be a huge poof of tangle that is impossible to section or pull into proper size dreads.

OliviaJonas Aley said:

One thing I do have to say for your hair type...is to really understand the amount of time that goes into the '"sectioning" phase. Not meaning that you are physically sectioning...although you will be doing some of that. But remember to allow your hair to come into sections on its own. I would have never guessed this portion of the journey is so important...Here I am 3 months in, and am just starting to understand myself that the sections take time, but it's so crucial for the dread process to even begin. Also, I have fine hair that tangles easily, but that's different (I guess) for contributing to the phase I am in now. Oh last thing! Don't be afraid for when you have to rip a section in half! It's kind of satisfying. Taking back a little control. Since sometimes they like to fuse together overnight it seems.

Happy dreading!

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

I have two jobs, one in a vintage store where I do help customers, and one as a Nanny for a family.

I will be working at a preschool over the summer, and be seeing (and seen by) a lot of parents. That's probably the job I'm most worried about. I think that is good advice though. I will probably just cover my hair a lot while I'm working in the summer. I have a feeling the next few months I'm going to be debunking dread myths a lot :P

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

A little update in case you might be curious

I am officially starting my dreadsnextTuesday. I would start earlier but we are about to take a trip to visit my Grandmother for her 90th bday and so for her sake I am waiting until we get back.

I mentioned doing dreads to a couple different people and got 1 "That's SO awesome, you should totally do it" (one of my best friends), 1 "..oh.. ok. No that'd be cool!" awkward.. from a co worker. And my boyfriend I think is kind of hesitant but said it's my hair I should do whatever I want with it. He said he has the typical prejudice that white people with dreads are dirty. I explained that you need to keep your hair clean, and also,I'm not dirty lol. I think it will kind of be like a journey/learning experience for him too, to be with me while I do this.

Anyways, I'm super excited. I haven't told my bosses yet, or my family. I'm not sure for work if I should just start doing it and explain if they ask any questions? Or let them know ahead of time that I am going to do this. I'm sure I'll be posting for support later with my parents, I am not looking forward to telling dad >.<


Can't wait to start and post pictures!!! :D

updated by @janna: 07/12/15 03:12:56PM

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

I worry more about the people I'm close to and what it might do to those relationships.

Something that is making it easier for me to see myself carrying through with this, is I plan on travelling a lot and soon. I can literally leave behind any negativity I encounter :P

it's a rational vs irrational battle in my mind. Rationally, I know my reasons for doing it, I know I am doing it for me and no one else, so pardon my french but who gives a f*** what others think?

Irrationally, I still want everyone to think I'm pretty and clean and cool haha. Thankfully, I'm able to realize the difference between my rational and irrational thoughts

soaring eagle said:

stop worrying for eery 1 person thast thinks negativly 1000 will love them

but do it for u regardless of what others think

are u goimng to sghave if your next lover says he doesnt like em?

or if a stranger on the street says eww

no your doingit for you

so enjoy the loopines and wear it with pride

those loops will protect u from ever letting some guy put you down likre that again

they will make i=u stronger the wilder they get

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

So if I wrap in a criss cross it might kind of tame the loopiness a little? I understand it's part of the process, I guess I'm just worried about reactions from family and bosses, etc. I live and work in a small town although I grew up in a University town that I think the community there would be a lot more accepting than where I am now.

Barrellady: I have looked through some of the dreaducation page, and the Dreads 101 thread that (i think) Soaring Eagle posted. I'll definitely check out the blogs, too.

Soaring Eagle: He and I split a year ago and I have been able to grow so much as a person and spirit since then. While it's not completely gone, the effect of other people's thoughts/opinions on my decisions is much, much smaller now A small part of me still hopes that my new partner isn't totally appalled by the idea, although I think I will do it regardless :P I haven't talked to anybody about this decision yet.

Thank you both for your replies!!

Nerves and Questions about starting Natural Dreads

Dreading Methods

I'm not even sure where to begin.

I have thought about dreading before but I guess I didn't have the guts to do it at the time, or it is also possible that my bf at the time was against it :P I don't remember when it was, really. But anyways, just in the last couple of days I have been considering it. I've always admired people with dreads and I think they are very pretty. I am trying to simplify and naturalize my life as much as possible. I feel like dreading might help me sort of let go of my previous life and help me start into my new way of life and living.

Some things I'm nervous about as far as hair goes:
My hair is very fine. It does tangle very easily which I think will probably help with dreading.. but I'm worried it will just turn into a rats nest! Is there something I would be able to do to prevent this? Does it naturally when you wash it 'un-nest'? My hair is also not very strong. It breaks a lot when I brush and comb. Maybe this is a moot point to worry about since I wouldn't be combing it with the neglect method.

I guess it boils down to not wanting crazy loopy ziggy dreads but not wanting to use backcombing or crochet since those methods seem to damage hair more. I have seen some people online with year old dreads that are still crazy loopy. Would wrapping them early on get them to be a little more round/uniform? And what happens if two dreads start to grow together by the tip? Is it okay to separate them there?

Sorry I'm asking a TON of questions, I have absolutely no experience with dreading and I am trying to get most if not all possible scenarios/questions answered before I start :P My final worry for this post is keeping myself looking neat during the beginning for work.

Thanks!

updated by @janna: 02/14/15 09:56:51AM

Never thought I'd say this but I want more loops and bumps!

General Talk

I am just a week and half into dreading and I have found I think the few loops that have shown up are ADORABLE! lol. But I also at the beginning was really hoping I wouldn't get a lot of loops and crazy shapes. I was worried about other people seeing them and thinking I didn't take care of myself.

Now, all of my loops are underneath all my other hair, so maybe I will be worried about it more when they start showing up on the top layers, but I definitely don't think they are ugly or gross looking anymore.

Isn't it amazing how excited and fascinated you can get by your hair? I liked my hair before but I've never spent so much time in the mirror before dreading lol.