My new daily “practice” consists largely of this. After a long, heart-felt chat with one of the most inspiring women I “know”, I’ve decided that I must work at getting where I want to be emotionally. But instead of work, we’ll call it practice because work sucks and it is boring.. and, well, this is more..looking to make some positive change. In trying to love myself more and live with intention, I am practicing letting go of negativity and hoping to rewire the way my brain thinks.

Anything you learn, regardless of what it is, becomes a part of the vast neuronal associations in the brain, which contain over one billion nerve cells. The more you practice, and the more quality time you put into your practice, the more that your brain pathways change.  Fairly soon, you know how to tie your shoes and you don’t think about it anymore.  This practice you did has made tying your shoes become automatic. It is exactly the same way with cognitive (learning) therapy.

4 days

5 weeks

4 months

7 months

favorite dreadie hairstyles and a couple of “detail” shots

1 year!

Although there are still occasions, I rarely think about my hair or how I look when I go out somewhere. It used to be on my mind constantly and it was so hard for me to enter a room of people with my crazy hair – and not feel like they were all staring at me. I’m to the point now where I have fully embraced them and I no longer care what other’s think about my hair.

They make me feel free and unique and I love them. And my boyfriend LOVES them.

Now that I’ve had them for a year, most of my friends/family see that this is no longer just a phase that I am going through- although I am still asked frequently how long I intend to keep them. I don’t really know the answer to that question yet. I suppose, IF I choose to get rid of them- it will be when the time is right for me. I sometimes see myself as having flowing wavy tresses again – but I also see myself as an old lady with grey dreads hanging down to my legs.