Am I alone in thinking my hair will never be longer than it is right now??

[melodies815]

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

I have now been at this healthy hair journey for more than a year now. I found and joined LHCF in Sept, 2008 and BC in March, 2009. I am approaching my 1 year BC anniversary...one year being fully natural...again.

Well...I am basically where I started in terms of length. I have as much hair as I had when I was relaxed in March, 2009. I guess it says a lot that I went from about an inch and a half to where I am now. Pics?? Here:

BC in March, 2009

Flat ironed for Christmas, 2009

I hate showing my face, but I guess it's okay sometimes. This is where I have grown to, and I CANNOT IMAGINE my hair will grow any longer than this. It felt so great having it out over the holiday, and I got major compliments from my hubby and mom and entire family. Most of them told me that it's longer than it was when I cut it. I don't see that at all.

If it does, I might pass out. I just don't believe it.

Am I the only one who has trouble believing that their hair will grow even the smallest amount past the longest length it was prior to LHCF??


Sorry if there have been posts like this one before. Just wanted to vent since I am feeling so impatient right now...

Blessings and HHG to us all!

cj

 

[silvergirl]

your hair looks great and i love how thick it is. you've had great progress for a years time! and hold on to your seat because your hair will get longer if you let it. take lots of pictures. that the only way you'll truly see how long and how fast its growing.

i too had trouble believing my hair would grow longer than shoulder length. anything longer wasnt even on my radar, i just assumed it wasn't possible. now that im on my way to mbl for the second time since joining this board i still sometimes can't believe it. i have to remind myself that the first time wasnt a fluke and that i can do it.

congrats on your growth and HHG

 

[*CherryPie*]

I know my hair can grow longer than this.

When I was lurking, lol, I went from APL to almost MBL in 10 months. I had to cut it back to APL in November because I started using this wave iron (like a crimpimg iron), and it dred and broke offmy ends on one side. So of course I had to cut it back to even it up.

 

[Desarae]

Yeah, I can't imagine myself having long hair because i've never had it before.


It seems when I quit trying to imagine it is when my hair really starts growing.

 

[Nonie]

OP I don't believe that's the longest it will grow. I think everyone can at least achieve APL. And then some will go way beyond that. It all depends on your growth cycle and since I think the shortest cycle is 2 years, if you were growing half an inch a month, it'd mean in 2 years you'd have a foot of hair. I think 12 inches from the nape is at least APL for tall folks and maybe BSL for short folks. So you can achieve that.

The catch, you have to retain all you grow to see that. When you get to shoulder length, then everything seems to go in slow motion coz unless you're wearing your hair with ends tucked away, then friction with your clothes will wear and tear those ends such that retention becomes a major feat. So that's why many of us have been at shoulder length "for life" coz we aren't making an effort to protective style or aren't dusting ends to keep splits from ripping our hair.

Another secret is to stop obsessing about length and just have fun with your hair. The length you are at won't last forever so explore all you can do with it while you're there so that when you move on, you won't regret not having done something you could've done or want to cut coz you want to try a new look, when you've worked so hard to gain length. A watched pot never boils so if you keep checking length and wringing hands in frustration, it'll become a habit of a life time. But learn to appreciate what you have and length will surprise you as it has done a lot of people.

One of my idols is Mwedzi and she has had so much fun with her hair that I still remember the day she saw a strand of hers measure at 13 inches. Now you might think that's nothing to someone like her, but she was elated. She had no idea her hair was that long. Why? Coz she didn't lose sleep wondering when it'd happen. She just learned to work with what she had (and boy does she try just about every style there possible at whatever length!), and learned better ways to care for her hair and handle it with care, and she's now reaping the fruits she's sowed over the years.

 

[Yen Oak]

Keep the faith! Your hair is thick and beautiful.

 

[yardyspice]

I think a lot us feel that way secretly or not so secretly in the beginning but as Nonie said try not to think about. One way you can do that is by protective styling using wigs, etc. When I started focusing on half wigs, buns, etc. I stopped measuring my hair every 10 mins. I swear I was doing weekly measurings when I was using growth aids!

 

[topnotch1010]

Yes I feel the same way. I can't imagine my hair even being APL.

 

[TeeWhyAre]

Keep the faith! Your hair is thick and beautiful.

agreed. it is thick and beautiful and i believe you can reach your goals. best of luck.

 

[Lola Laughs]

Don't fret--your hair is beautiful and has made great progress!

I hear you though--I am very impatient and have decided to distract myself (w/o losing focus on hair goals) by creating a diet and exercise regimen. Otherwise I feel like I'm watching paint dry...

 

[ebonimama]

Trust me. It will grow. I started my journey at shoulder length and now I am bsb heading to mbl.

When I started I protected my ends 100% of the time. I didn't see my length for a whole year. When I finally wore my hair down for a length check I and everybody who knew me was stunned!

Stay with your regimen and protect those ends and I guarantee, just like me, in time, you will be stunned!

 

[4evershika]

I understand what you're saying. Sometimes we live however many years thinking that our hair can't or wont grow and when it does, sometimes it's so unbelievable!

But it's gonna keep growing!

BTW, I love how thick your hair is! Beautiful!

 

[MarieB]

I sometimes feel that way, too. That's why I take pictures every couple of weeks and review my photo album here. Also why I, too, am focusing on getting myself back into shape so I can stop freaking about my hair. But taking pictures of your progress (and the occasional straightening for length checks) will help you to see that your hair can, has, and will continue to grow.

 

[Keen]

I used to think that and it's a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[melodies815]

Yeah, I can't imagine myself having long hair because i've never had it before.


It seems when I quit trying to imagine it is when my hair really starts growing.

I have to admit that when I flat ironed it this last time, I got nervous the more hair I saw. I thought...is this mine? But it's not much longer...just a teeeeennny bit. I did ignore it from Nov to Dec though...so maybe that's why it was a small surprise. I need to ignore it again...

cj

 

[chebaby]

well i went from almost bsl to a bc of only 1/2 to 1 inch of hair. i exspect to be able to grow my hair to atleast full sl. after that im not so sure. not that my hair wont grow but since im all natural now im not sure about knots and tangles and split ends and the like. so we will see.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

Your TWA grew out really quickly, so I'm sure you'll be APL before you know it, just KUTGW!

 

[melodies815]

I sometimes feel that way, too. That's why I take pictures every couple off weeks and review my photo album here. Also why I, too, am focusing on getting myself back into shape so I can stop obsessing about my hair. But taking pictures of your progress (and the occasional straightening for length checks) will help you to see that your hair can, has, and will continue to grow.

LOL at taking pics so often. I want to, but I find when I wait a little, I see growth better. Imma go take pics now....lol

Nonie, what great advice! What great encouragement. I never thought about most of what you wrote in your post. I, too, love Mwedzi's hair. Being a slow grower too, she is one of my inspirations.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I am on my way to church, so if you write anything else, I can't respond until I get back home.

Thanks again for all the great responses! I feel a little better no wthat I have perpective.

cj

 

[MarieB]

LOL at taking pics so often. I want to, but I find when I wait a little, I see growth better. Imma go take pics now....lol

cj

I know, right? But I got the camera for Christmas last year, and I don't have daily reasons to take pictures, so there you go...! But sometimes there's a big difference that you don't see Week 2, but you do see Week 4. Plus, I like playing with my camera...!

 

[mscocoface]

Sometimes it is the journey you need to focus on versus the goal you are trying to reach.

As a person with some seriously slow growing hair, I stopped focusing on length and just began dealing with what works and doesn't work and set up a regimen that was simple to maintain for my lifestyle now.

In focusing on that and other things and hiding my length Tshirt it no longer bothers me to distraction that my hair isn't laying on top of my backside.

Now I had some crazy growth the first two years and then it slowed something serious. This was a major mental adjustment and that is truly what it is you need to mentally adjust. Become more like the tortoise versus the hare. Remember that story?

Slow and steady wins the race!

 

[naturalpride]

Yes your hair will grow, I went from a twa in Nov. 2007 to a little pass shoulder length in Nov. 2009 and that's with two hair cuts and about 3 trims.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

i know my hair can grow to my knees if i want it to.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BELEIVE IT CAN!! change your mindset/change your life.

 

[yaya24]

Great 1 year progress. I BC'd in June 2009 and can only dream of having hair your length by June 2010.

 

[supermodelsonya]

I totally understand where you are coming from. Its hard watching members here make length goals that you, yourself have yet to see.

It's even harder watching some BC and then wind up having more hair than you do.

But I am learning that when you start to get antsy about your hair growth it's time to hide it away. Thats what I did in May 2009 when my hair broke off badly (see siggy)

Hide it, forget about it, and in 6 months surprise yourself.

 

[dlove]

Girl Please!! Your hair is going to be APL by Christmas! Whatever you have been doing is TRULY working because your hair is on its way to APL by the end of this year.

You have nice thick hair that has grown a lot and will continue to grow. Keep us posted.

 

[LadyRaider]

I have trouble believing... BUT I also have pictures of my self as a child, and in high school and I had long hair. So even though I don't believe it... I know I've had long hair before.

 

[Bettina]

I feel like this sometimes as well ---the last time I had a decent amount of hair was when I was 8 years old! So when I feel bummed about it I snap out of that miindset by Deep Conditioning and hiding my hair. Your hair is has come a long way OP, Just forget about the length for right now and concentrate on the health of your beautiful hair.

 

[melodies815]

Sometimes it is the journey you need to focus on versus the goal you are trying to reach....Slow and steady wins the race!

I am a super slow grower as well. It seems like I retained well this first year, but I am sure I will eventually do like you did and it will slow to what I consider to be a crawl. Thanks for the reminder of the fable.

I was playing with my twists in church tonight, and even that got on my nerves. I looked back at one of the ladies with long hair, knowing she flat irons all the time and wondered why she gets to be so lucky and keep her hair on her head. No complaints...but I got distracted for a moment.

My goal....being tall and long limbed, if I can just reach APL....I will have accomplished A LOT!

cj

 

[melodies815]

I feel like this sometimes as well ---the last time I had a decent amount of hair was when I was 8 years old! So when I feel bummed about it I snap out of that miindset by Deep Conditioning and hiding my hair. Your hair is has come a long way OP, Just forget about the length for right now and concentrate on the health of your beautiful hair.

You are so sweet. Yes...I think that I had some hair when I was about 8 years old as well...at least my mom says I did. I have no pics though. Deep conditioning and hiding my hair...that's a great idea!

cj

 

[melodies815]

Girl Please!! Your hair is going to be APL by Christmas! Whatever you have been doing is TRULY working because your hair is on its way to APL by the end of this year.

You have nice thick hair that has grown a lot and will continue to grow. Keep us posted.

You think so? I am in the APL challenge because it seems like that is what you do after you get close to APL. I should make a poll to see what is the percentage of women who have been on the site and have followed healthy hair practices and have made their milestones within a certain number of months.

So far, what I understand is that from a BC of about an inch of hair - sometimes less - it takes about 15 months to reach full shoulder length, give or take a couple of months.

18 months to reach APL...or maybe up to 24 months...

...and about 30-36 months to reach full BSL. Maybe up to 40 months if we allow for setbacks, etc along the way...

...so I wonder how many women get there in that general timeline.

You think I will be there by Christmas '10? I'm going to come e-get you if I'm not. I'm holding you to your word!!!

cj