Letting my hair speak

This will be somewhat of an entry that I am unsure how to classify. I suppose growing is another category for this.

I have a natural curl to my hair, as you can see from the photos. Also you can see from the pictures that I have also straightened my hair in the past as well. For probably oh...3 years or so I straightened my hair. During it's growing out process I had to (or I should say, I felt I had to) in order to get my hair to be manageable.

Cosmetology school did a lot to my self-image and the way I pictured myself. My ego and self-image were already impaired, and I will say I allowed myself to become further impaired. At school you were graded on your hair, clothes, and make-up. To me I've always been 'easy going' with my hair, but after going to school to learn how to 'do' hair...I became obsessed even more with my looks.

Forever burned into my head were the words that one must look their best at all times. If a person saw you with your hair messy, no make-up on and dressed messily; why would they ever think to have YOU do their hair? I've always cared about my physical 'outer' image, but I soon became obsessed with it.

Working at the Co-Op, I was around very natural people. The only other person before that I would say would be my mum. She dresses 'cow-girl'...Wrangler jeans, t-shirts or sweatshirts, wears a baseball like cap every day. Earthy.
Now I was around many people who were earthy in various ways. Some more earthy than others, but everyone looks (for the most part) natural. It's beautiful.

Then this one infamous day that will go down in 'Josie's History'....I had spent my hour or so straightening my hair. I went out to check on my dog, Sequoya, when I soon found myself getting into more than I imagined. The S-link to his chain had some undone, and then when I was fixing it, it broke. Spending nearly 20 minutes outside with just a jean jacket, no hood, and a pliers attempting to work some puny wire into a mesh that would keep the link to his chain attached to his base.
By the time I got inside, my hair was sopping wet. I squeezed water out of it...and 10 minutes later started my travels to work.

Now...I get to work, mortified by my appearance...but the response I got was hugely surprising (to me). Everyone complimented me on my hair, asking me if it was natural, if it was really 'like that' and the like. I, humbly accepted the comments while in my head pooh-pooing them. I had grown to HATE my natural waves (but at the same time I longed for them secretly).

Ever since that day, I let my hair go natural. I figured with summer coming it would be futile for me to fight the rain and humidity. My hair has a mind of its own, and by gosh it would yell. I kept it straight and down for too long, and it was finally going to be 'heard'.

My hair has grown out some since, there are more ringlet waves and crazy waves...but they have more shape and position now than before. I've grown used to my hair in its wavy-state, and I feel that I would have not the gumption to straighten my hair unless I absolutely had to. In turn, letting my hair be natural has actually improved my self-image and confidence. I feel more spunky and fresh...faerie-like (and have been called so...would it be strange for me to consider having faerie heritage?)
I feel more natural and earthy...I still do put makeup on, but I even have that more natural.

I feel less confined and more unique...and still humbly accept compliments when I receive them, and this time around, I just accept them and do not pooh-poo them in my head.