It’s strange to me that it’s only been 1.5 months into my freeform journey; it feels like so much longer. I definitely didn’t imagine, when I started out, that almost all my hair would be sectioned and dreaded to varying degrees by 1.5 months. I have some loose hair around the ears and nape and a bit at the temples (I love my baby hairs <3), and a frizz halo of course (I’ve always had frizz), but everything else has found a home, and has some dreaded-ness to the body of each section. There are a handful of dreads that hang straight-ish, but most of ‘em have moderate to wild loopiness! I was loop-a-phobic starting out, but I’m really learning to love my special little loops. They are so unique and nature-inspired. They are my own nature. 💚

I’ve received some less-than-understanding comments from family: one person said that one of my crazy loops reminded them of a stray cat who didn’t take care of itself, then proceeded to tell me that “real dreads” were made by rolling hair back and forth between the palms. Yeah.... I had t’n’r dreads 10 years ago, and I can tell you that, at least for a white person, you don’t get dreads just by rolling some hair in between your palms. 😂 Unless you just let your hair be after that. Then you get freeform dreads! \o/

I think freeform dreads are so incredible because any hair type can have them. With so little effort and money spent! I wish 17-year-old me, who was trying to call salons to find out if anyone could dread white people hair, knew that. And I’m glad I never found a salon to do it! If anyone is like I was a month and a half ago, tired of ripping out tangles with a hair brush and having frizzed-out texture-less hair after, then freeform is definitely something to consider.

I think the freeform journey is infinitely more rewarding if one has a spiritual and/or deeply held reason for going on the journey. You let go of control (controlling variables associated with starter methods like sectioning, how tight you’re making the dreads, etc.), step out of the way, and let Mother Nature do her thing. The result is a beautiful unique creation that no salon or “loctician” could ever create. It’s a product of your body’s own divine intelligence. It’s magickal <3

I’m a couple days short of my one month freeform anniversary, so I got comfortable in front of a mirror and spent some time admiring my dreadlings (seriously such a relaxing and enjoyable activity for me after a tiring day). Then I counted them— 64! I thought there would be more. There is loose hair around my ears and at my nape, so I imagine some are yet to be born.

i have loved this journey, it is incredibly spiritual, much more so than when I had TnR dreadlocks 10 years ago. This freeform natural dreadlock experience is such a testament to the animating intelligence of our bodies which I believe in so deeply. We are fragments of universal consciousness poured into bodily vessels. The consciousness which animates our bodies is so wise, so infinite, and it’s my belief that this wisdom is best expressed when we interfere as little as possible with our bodies’ natural processes. Well, this freeform journey is about as non-interfering as it gets. And I find it so delightful to watch my body’s natural expression manifest through my beautiful hair’s metamorphosis. My husband gave me a lovely compliment the other day when he said, “This is your natural hair, this is how your hair is meant to look.” I couldn’t agree more. ❤️

I must admit: I have been a bit loop-a-phobic from the start of this process.... I’ve done a few wraps to bring in some loops that I thought were crazy. But look at this!! This loop is a work of art. It reminds me of ornate Celtic and Viking knots. I have no desire to wrap in this little beauty, she’s staying. I will allow her to become just what she wants to be.