Madeline

After a few days, we've realized that quite a few of my baby dreads would end up being too big once they've matured. Soo, I'm slowly in the process of splitting a few in half. Still totally in love with them :) even the few new baby ones in the front that are going crazy!

And here's something I found on the forums dreadlockssite.com

"dreads are freedom they are deep personal and intimate connection to
the true self the earth to life force of the universe dreads are a
connection to the true self because all your lifes experiences are
recorded in your hair, when the hairs locked all experiences intercept
all others creating a oneness that can be called wisdom, dreads are
pure natural beauty they allow you to be your most natural self free
from the artificial cosmetic reality of grooming dressing to impress
makeup and fashion reality

you are simply you nothing more nothing less

dreads are strength and healing

lets look for a second at anorexia and body image issues that come from
..pressure to be perfect, and sensitivity to what others say (your fat
and worthless etc etc etc) when u dread u must stop caring what others
think and only find the strength to know your true worth and true
beauty does not require validation from shallow narrow minded people

dreads give you confidence in yourself in your worth in your beauty and
value, and that your true value does not lie in your looks but in your
heart dreads literal are wearing your heart on your sleeve letting your
soul shine forcing people to look deeper within you...or look away.. it
repells the shallow while attracting the deep..


to dread u inviter critisim and you gain the strenght to not be so hurt
by ignorance you find your own bliss and in that bliss you are
protected and cannot be easily harmed by the misery of others"

*Soaring Eagle (owner of dreadlockssite.com)

dreadlocks are not one thing or another. they are not dirty. they are not "just for (insert culture here)". they are not just religious. they are spiritual, emotional, and patience as well. along with being my choice.

and since it's coming up alot...
-NO i did not pay to get them done. it's a simple, close to natural method calling tear and rip.
-NO they are not dirty nor do they smell bad (they actually smell pretty damn good). i wash them every other day, thank you very much.
-NO i do not have them just because i like how they look. (not denying that i do think dreads are absolutely gorgeous) they are a deeper connection into who i really am, they make me feel better about myself, they have taught me patience, and to be less stubborn about things being my way.
-NO i do not plan on taking them out any time in the near future, or 15 years even. they are part of me now. i am proud of them, and myself for being able to do this and fall in love with them.



and yes, i do love hearing peoples opinions on them, but lets keep it nice and simple please. if you don't like them, i don't need a twenty minute rant on your opinion about how they are gross, or how i shouldn't have them. simply state you don't like them. if you must. if you love them, awesome, i do too :)

Nicole DAY 5

Nicole

Things are coming along great! I'll have Madeline take some pics in the next few days, but I've got a few knots starting up! I'm pretty excited.

I thought that this natural method and waiting would make me insane, but it's not. It's fun to see what rewards my patience gives me.

Juliette Dropped

NICOLE

She (and her Dad) decided that dreadlocks weren't a good idea just yet. She was going nuts not brushing her hair. It's a had habit to break, even after just 10 years.

It's good though. Dreadlocks are something you need to be emotionally ready for. 10 may have been a tad too young. Although I have seen tiny tots with them, maybe it's that 'in-between' age of about 5-12 years where self awareness is developing. Maybe it's a society thing. Maybe perceptions need to change in our culture. Maybe we should start Annie on some locks before she gets warped by whats 'right' in others' eyes. At age 10, its hard to relearn whats already been taught.

Ah, maybe I'll just focus on me. It might just be about time for me to do that. Even if just for a little while.

Madeline

Method: Twist and Rip. (TnR)
Day one= 6/18/2010
BEFORE:

DAY ONE:

DAY FOUR:

(Can't really see them, but they had a nice trip to the beach for some salt air to lock 'em up!)

*Even after just four days, I have fallen in complete love with them. They are my favorite things ever, and i'm VERY proud of them. They make me feel more myself.

A New Day 1 *NICOLE*

NICOLE

Ok, so those who know me, know that if I'm going to bother doing something, I'm going to give it my all. Nothing half a**ed for me.

It was driving me nuts that I still had 9 of the crocheted dreads in. So, this morning, they came out.

If I'm going natural with my dreads, I'm doing it 100%. I'm giving it my all.

Today, a non-residue wash, a deep condition and a light strip. Then we are officially at DAY ONE. Today.

JUNE 21st, 2010

NICOLE Day One *Natural/Neglect Method*

NICOLE

There are many different ways to dreadlock your hair. Some more invasive than others. Natural, non-invasive. Crochet, very invasive. I'm not going to get into how all the different methods work, I'm just going to detail my method. I obviously tried crochet. WHY I thought it would be satisfying for me, I don't know. I'm pretty natural about everything else in my life, but I won't question it as it got me where I need to be.

Naturally dreading your hair is also called Neglect, although I don't care for that term. It's not as accurate as it suggests. Yes, you neglect the day to day maintenance, but you don't neglect hygiene.

Simply stated, clean hair locks better. Dirty, oily hair would just slip out. Make sense?? So, although you do 'neglect' brushing, styling, and conditioning, you do wash your hair. At least 3 times a week. I plan to wash every other day with baking soda and water. Gets your hair really clean with no residue. So, it's a wash and go thing. Oh, and as your hair knots up, you do have to separate the pieces. Pretty much your hair will separate on it's own, you just have to continue the separation and encourage it. This process takes up to a year to have fully matured dreadlocks.

So, this is Day 1. Crochet out. Going natural. Some knots at the root had to be left as did 3 of the original dreads. They were just too tight to remove. :/

Ill add pics in a few

Blessings

~Nicole

Mistakes Turn To Fate

NICOLE

Welcome :)

My name is Nicole. Myself and my 2 daughters are starting a spiritual journey of dreadlocks. I hope you find our journey as fascinating as we do.

So, I posted on my personal blog about 'getting dreadlocks done'. I was so damn excited. Then a few people started commenting on my blog. Island Mamma and irissoaringeagle. It turns out these 2 people would change the path of fate for me, and my daughters. Irissoaringeagle runs an amazing website about dreadlocks. AMAZING. DREADLOCKSSITE.COM.

If it weren't for my mistake, I would have never known the path I needed to take.

Fate.

After reading alot on his site, I was instantly feeling a sense of loss. I wanted a journey, and instead, I jumped right into the middle of one. I didn't start slow. I needed 'instant gratification'.

Or so I thought.

As I looked at my crocheted dreadlocks, I realize how much I missed out on by my need for perfectionism right away.

Madeline and I started taking out the dreadlocks that night. 7 hours, lots of conditioner and a very sore scalp later, they are out.

Now, my spiritual journey begins. And to my utter joy, my daughters are joining me. This, I hope, will be a life altering experience.

Peace and Blessings

~Nicole

Preface

This blog is a daily journal of the 3 of us, and our journey with dreadlocks. Our hope is to learn. About ourselves and each other. To take this spiritual journey and apply it to our lives. To learn patience. To show love. To observe. Quietly yet with togetherness.