Top
Image Alt

Be Whole

After mustering up the balls to step outside with my hair not blow-dried or flat-ironed, I thought that I was going to feel really ugly and uncomfortable, or worse, people were going to imply that my hair is ugly and make me feel uncomfortable.

This is a really big thing for me. I felt emotional when a friend told me that she loves my sun-dried hair because I never thought anyone would. I’d been having my hair straightened since my first memories and that’s no exaggeration. At school, if you had straight hair, you were absolutely beautiful, and that’s pretty much the consensus within my family as well.

So, I’ve decided that I want to do the ‘Big Chop’ as soon as spring arrives (September 2014). It may seem a bit radical to chop my hair off but I think that I need to be smacked with the realization that my beauty doesn’t lie in my hair. And this will also be a way for me to grow the hair that was given to me.
I’m interested to know your thoughts so feel free to post a comment of whether or not you’re in support of my big chop.

Last night, friends and I went to a restaurant. A tall buff-looking guy walks in to sit at the table behind us. Not too long after, a friend leans in to whisper that this guy had been staring at me for some time while waiting to be seated. I shrugged and gave a little sigh because to my mind, who would actually find me attractive with this big hair. Our meals arrive; more friends join; we have some wine; squeeze in dessert, and then leave for some living room dancing and sing-alongs. Later that night, before going to bed, I checked my phone and saw that the same guy, who was sitting at the table behind me, had managed to find my Instagram profile and liked several of my photos. Super creepy! l was stunned, to say the least. Here I am, in the dead of winter, sporting a natural hairdo (resembling a lion’s mane), and this guy thinks I’m hot. Never mind the great lengths he went to, to show it…

This is what I look like with sleek hair:

sleek_hair

 

 

 

 

 

And this is me with natural Bantu knot hair:

natural_hair

 

 

 

 

Major difference right? I am so ready to let go of the straight-hair-is-beautiful hype. I mean, of course straight hair is beautiful but curly and wavy hair can be just as lovely. This is a way for me to accept myself as I am, and to become who I want to be. If I decide somewhere along the line, that sleek hair suits me better, I will probably revert. I just need to be sure that my image represents my brand – the person I aspire to be, and not a copy of what is socially acceptable around me.

Robyn is the plant mom behind all these juicy posts, written from a sofa in her Cape Town apartment. Through her passion for beauty and wellness, she helps women feel confident in their skin and has created a resource for holistic beauty in South Africa.

Comments

  • 6 July 2014

    J

    Awesome!
    So many times we care too much about what others think, I think it’s time we start appreciating our own natural features…

    reply
  • 7 July 2014

    Caz

    I’m going through a similar hair journey right now! And I totally support what you’re doing here.

    A few years ago I went for the Big Chop – after years of straitening and destroying my strand, I needed a clean break and shaved it all off. I haven’t applied any straitening agents to my hair since then, and my natural tribal curl also resembles a feisty lion’s mane!

    Am slowly building up the courage to wear my hair in its natural state out in public, though. So strength to you, girl!

    reply
  • 31 July 2014

    Janine Saal

    You Probably heard people tell you that you look kinda like Elle Varner and she too is great when it comes to the Natural hair look. Stunning 🙂

    reply
  • 8 August 2014

    I have a diet blog i just started, i have about 3 posts, someone said i should start promoting i now. I thought i should wait until i had at least 10 posts and feedback from a few people in various forums before I promote it so maybe in 2 weeks. What do you think?.

    reply
  • 28 March 2017

    Stacey-Leigh Wood

    Loved this – I like that he found you on Insta – modern day romance

    reply
    • 28 March 2017

      robyn

      Hahaha! Stacey, this post reminds me of where I started. Thank you for your comment. I can’t believe that it’s been three years.

      reply
      • 28 March 2017

        Stacey-Leigh Wood

        lol I’m literally stalking you right now – I don’t know how many articles I’ve read and vids I’ve watched. You’re very pretty – like I have seen pics on Facebook so I know what you look like but seriously, you’re so gorgeous <3

        reply
        • 29 March 2017

          robyn

          thank you so much for the support and complimented. You have no idea how happy it makes me to know that someone is interested in what I wrote <3

          reply
  • 1 July 2021

    Hi there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent
    info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more
    soon.

    reply
  • 4 July 2021

    Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
    was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.

    reply
  • 4 July 2021

    Good post. I’m going through some of these issues as well..

    reply
  • 4 July 2021

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It truly useful
    & it helped me out much. I hope to provide one thing
    back and help others like you aided me.

    reply
  • 4 July 2021

    I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking
    for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for
    you personally? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write with
    regards to here. Again, awesome weblog!

    reply
  • 4 July 2021

    Thank you for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

    reply
  • 6 July 2021

    Yⲟu reаlly make it seem so easy with ʏour pгesentation but I find
    thiѕ tоpic to be actually something wһich I think
    I would never understand. It seems ttoo complex and very brߋad for me.
    I’m loⲟking forward for yоur next рost, I’ⅼl ttгy
    to get the hang of іt!

    reply
  • 6 July 2021

    Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are
    looking to swap techniques with others, why not shoot
    me an e-mail if interested.

    reply
  • 7 July 2021

    I was νery happy to discoveг thіus page.
    I want to to thank you for youг time foг this fantastіc read!!
    I definitely appreciated everү bit of it and i also have you book-marked to look at new stuff
    in үour blog.

    reply
  • 8 July 2021

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A few of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?

    reply
  • 9 July 2021

    I was more than happy to find this page. I need to to thank
    you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!!
    I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and I have you saved to fav to check out
    new things on your website.

    reply
  • 10 July 2021

    Mаgnuficent goods from уou, man. Ihave understand your stuff previous
    to аnd you’re just extгemely fantastic. I really like wuat yoou have acգuired here,
    certainly like wһat yоu are stating and the way in which you say
    it. Ⲩou maкe it enjoyable and you ѕtill take caгfe of to keep it wise.
    I can nnot wait to reaɗ far more from you.This is really a great site.

    reply
  • 12 July 2021

    Hi, I read your blogs like every week. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep up
    the good work!

    reply
  • 13 July 2021

    Your way of telling everything in this post is genuinely pleasant, all be able to effortlessly be aware of it, Thanks a lot.

    reply
  • 14 July 2021

    It’s an amazing post designed for all the online users; they will take benefit from it I am sure.

    reply
  • 14 July 2021

    After looking over a few of the blog posts on your site, I honestly like your way of blogging.

    I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will
    be checking back in the near future. Please check out my
    website as well and let me know your opinion.

    reply
  • 14 July 2021

    Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!

    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link
    to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    reply
  • 17 July 2021

    Keep on working, great job!

    reply
  • 26 July 2021

    I think this is among the most vital information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The web site style
    is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D.
    Good job, cheers

    reply

Post a Comment

The more you learn and grow, the closer you come to feeling whole.

Reset Password