"As long as you worry about what others think of you, you are owned by them- only when you require no approval from outside yourself can you own yourself" -Neale Walsh

This helps me so I thought you might enjoy it too. Keep your chin up

I like that quote: "What other people think about me is none of my business". Wise words

Don't worry so much...easy to say I know but it just high school a conformity factory. I'm 36 and I have a 4 year old daughter you should see the looks I get fromsnobbishstrangers when I am with her. It's just theirnarrow mindedopinion. People who just look at you and judge you right there with out getting to know you are really not worth your while. I heard a good saying about other peoples opinion "what other people think of me is none of mybusiness" you will see after a while it won't bother you any more, like the joker said "what does not kill you makes you strangers"

One important thing to remember, no matter where or whats going on...be true to yourself. If you want dreads because it feels right, comfortable, etc...then do it, regardless of what others may think. If someone is going to base their relationship, or lack thereof, over your hair...then good, you don't want those judgemental types as ya friends anyways. Don't change to fit a status quo that is a fickle as America's political standing. Anyways, I hope you keep your dreads, as all dreads are beautiful and unique.

Remember 1 thing high school is just a chapter in your life it's not u.. The people you meet n high school will probably only b n your life for just those few years. So don't let the peer pressure cause you to 2nd guess ur decision to grow ur locks.Look n ur heart and ask urself y did u start your dreads? u will find the answer there and only there.

If you smoke pot, they will find out anyway and lump you in with that group. It'll be obvious because you hang out with kids that they know smoke, even if you don't look like it.

I grew up in a township that has the worst drug problem in the entire US. Sad, really. But everyone smoked weed/took pills/got drunk/did coke,heroin, E/tripped on a daily basis on various drugs. There were just a handful of people who were straight edge. And most of those still smoked cigs. So no matter what you look like, people will tell what yo are into.

If you don't smoke or do drugs, props to you. I don't either. Just say to people "Do I look like a pot head?" and laugh and walk away.

High school is a time where you will begin to find out who your real friends are. Anyone who care enough to make fun of you is not worth your time. In school they may make fun of you. But once you graduate, they might have grown up a bit and find that you really were a down to earth person who was comfortable with himself to be who you wanted to be

dont wear a hat

and wear a headband instead

be honnest wether u smoke just tell ppl thees nothing wrong with smoking if u dont be honnest and tell em not all dreadir=es smoke

et a better example

The main thing I'm worried about is getting lumped in with all the kids who smoke pot.

I really just wish they were longer at this point. It would be much more manageable if I could just tie them back. I have to wear a baseball cap to keep them out of my face and I am worried that it will hinder the locking process or make them flat.

I had no idea you were that age when you mentioned this earlier..So I don't expect you to care about our advice nearly as much as an older person...Ixchel is 100% right about your hair basically helping you as a social filter.You'll be surprised which people will actually be the worthwhile company to keep.May have a completely different group than expected.But they'll be there because they like YOU,and not what jacket you wear,and what shampoo and flat iron you used to look like the rest of the table at lunch...Be yourself now,while it means something.It's not that dreads are not for you,but you are not being for yourself right now.Those kids are all victims of what is "normal" and trendy.They were too uncomfortable to do what they wanted to do out of fear of what others would say...Even so,people tend to look up to different people.There are always the people that say otherwise,but generally there are more good than bad...Those people being themselves are not anymore special than the rest of the public,they just are themselves...Be yourself,tune out others opinions,because even with your straight hair back on your head,you're in for hell anyway.Highschool experiences,traumatic or not,shape people quite a bit.You can avoid that by just being a strong person.

You don't need anyone's positive feedback to be happy.You're only happy when YOU make it so.

Good luck

maybe uwill find many respect you fir it a few will hate u who cares its hs hs is a world of hate they will hate u id=f yor ptetty they will hate u if your skinny they will hate u if yoitr fat or thin or have blond hair or brown they will hate u for being smart or dumb

its their insecurity causing the hate why let your insecurity lead you to fear instead/ be secure in who you are wear your dreads with pride and prove tothem that your better and stronger then they are