Special Interest: From the Journey Mailbag

Hi Hi Every People!

With over 2000 lights upon the Journey Pages, I thought it was high time to share what my readers have to say, either via comments of Emails, as well as answer a few questions I’ve been asked. Yes, my fellow napturals… It’s not just about the hair, here at Journey Back to Me. It’s also about Y-O-U!

So heeeeeeeeeeeeere we go!

In response to “The Long & Short of It“, Sunshyn comments:

Girl, the battle that has been fought over this head of mine…wow…. I’ve done the so short its faded to the mullet…all for the sake of keeping at least a part of my hair long…lol…I even visited the place that shall not be named…lol….

I’m gonna fight the same battle getting natural as well, I’ve decided that my crinkly braids will do me fine for a while and see where it takes me…I’m just not gonna cut it off first…it took me 7 years to grow this hair back from a fade…

I wish you much strength, progress, and success in your undertaking, Goddess Sister!

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In response to “Society Beauty Stigmas: How I Overcame Them“, A New Lis writes:

You are inspiring me. I have had major breakage in the top middle of my head and am seriously thinking about getting rid of my hair altogether. You are doing some great things with yours. I’m inspired.

I thank you so much Lis! The breakage factor was a big part of my wanting to take it natural. While I still have issues with the normal shedding of my hair, I can honestly see a great difference in how strong and flexible my natural hair is, as opposed to when it was relaxed. I wish you luck in your journey as well, and can’t wait to see the process!

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In response to “Two Strand Twists -Take One“, DJ Diva writes:

I love it! And your picture tutorial was hot! Maybe you should do a video…

Much appreciation to you, Diva! I have tried the video route, but need to secure better quality equipment first. *lol*

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To “Journey in Poetic Form“, Mature Natural offers this:

Love the poem! Some people never get it. After almost six years of being natural, I still get those questions.

Danke and domo, Mature Natural. I wrote the piece one night when considering some of the questions and comments I’ve gotten concerning my decision. I figured it was time to set the record straight.

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In response to “Not Just a Black Thang“, Lindsey shares:

SO TRUE! I have limp blond hair that just won’t do a thing. No amount of product, styling or tears on my part can coax my hair out of just… laying there. It either lays down my back or gets pinned up in a bun. I look at the women in hair commercials with bouncy flouncy fun hair hanging all over and my insides just simmer from jealousy, because my hair will NEVER be that way.

But my hair is long and lovely and the husband loves to run his fingers through it, so why hate it? It’s a part of my inheritance from my swiss ancestors (like my pale as death will never tan skin) and a part of who I am.

AMEN! Sometimes it’s best to love what we’ve been blessed/cursed with. *lol* Of course there’s nothing wrong with enhancing, but acceptance of your own locks is a must.

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Eve has this to say in response to my very first “In the Mix“:

Goodness Sis… You were really in the mix…lol. Love the recipes. Thanks for sharing.

You are most welcome Seester! Just trying to find and share alternatives to potentially damaging commercial products… and save a lil bitta money in the process. *wink*

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Also, in response to “Not Just a Black Thang“, Suni adds:

Oh this post holds so much truth! I have been one to relax my hair nearly to death just so I could get the sheen and ease of care others have. At one point, my hair was just like “theirs”. I could even let it blow in the wind and know that it would look even better afterwards. Those days were over quickly once my hair decided it was time to revert back to its old self. I have since given up the chemical processes and decided to embrace what God has given. I still use a flat iron to get me through, but not nearly as often as I would if I was totally worried about my hair being like “theirs”.

I have found that my hair will never really “fro”. It lays down too much. I have some tight waves, but not those little curls. When it gets long enough, I might even be able to stop using the flat iron all together. Let’s hope Keep on keeping on my chemical free sister!

And you do the same, Goddess Sister! Sho’ ya right! *wink*

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In response to my “Intro“, fellow naptural Lissa, shares:

Wow great story. Your hair looks great. You look great. I wish I could devote more of my Blog to my natural hair journey. It’s something I still have intense worries about along with intense joy. It’s something my mother still puts me down about. However, I can’t regret it or change it because it is who I am, who I was always meant to be. I’m glad it can bring so much joy to you.

Mucho gracious! I fluctuate between extreme pride and glee to wanting to hide underneath the bed or in a closet. But overall, I am like you. I love my natural hair now and am learning to accept it as who I AM, and who I was meant to be.

Thanks for reading and sharing! I look forward to reading more from you!

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Also in response to my “Intro“, Blooming Lotus comments:

Merry Meet, Idadi! Congratulations on your journey back to the natural You. You are beautiful! I would love to read more about your Neo-Paganism and how involved, if at all, your family is.

You humble me, Blooming Lotus! As for my faith, you can read more about that on my Scattered Word Pictures Blog, where I discuss it in tidbits, or my Totality Grimoire, which I will be starting very soon.

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In the realm of questions, Nikky asks:

How do you use this oil and how often? (Special Interest: Slide Some Oil to Me)

Whenever my hair felt dry, or whenever I’d wash and condition with commercial products, because they stripped my hair something terrible. But since I’ve been using the recipes from the In the Mix series, I rarely use the oil on my hair anymore. i do, however, use it on my skin after showering, while it’s still moist.

Nikky also asks:

Is it possible to use the rosemary essential oil instead of the actual herb? If yes, do you have any suggestions on how many drops i should try? (In the Mix Fridays - Results)

Those are very good questions! I believe you can use the rosemary oil in place of dried or fresh, but don’t quote me on that. I’m still a novice in these waters, however I will do a big more cyber snooping to see what I can come up with

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Nikky’s last question brings me to a conversation Suni and I had via Plurk about infusing olive oil for hair and body use, with a herb like lavender to make its fragrance a little more pleasing. Well I found a lovely little vide-torial on How To Make Lavender Oil, by Lea Ellesff on About.com. I’m sure it will work with any fresh or dried herb, so play around with your favourite scented elements, and let me know how it works out. *wink*

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I would like to thank all of my readers who are represented in this entry, as well as the many others who have not and have yet to comment. You help make keeping this Blog fun, and keep me encouraged with each step I take along the way!

Keep those comments and Emails coming!!!

Blessed Be…

Idadi