Remembering the Basics

There are times when I get so frustrated with my hair (which seems to be almost everyday as of late)! This pic of me is after yet another cut because I had damage ends. When this occurs I just want to throw in the towel and hack it all off. I will be the first to admit it, I want the quick fix. I want to have long hair tomorrow without having to work for it. I dislike the fact that I have to M & S everyday, deep condition for hours, rotate my protein and moisturizing conditioners every 2nd or 3rd week, detangle from the ends up to the root, fight with my hairdresser over whether or not I should trim--it's a lot of damn work! So why do I continue to do it? Easy, nothing worth having is ever easy. I think it's a misconception that women that have beautiful skin, hair or bodies just woke up one day and had it fall in their lap. They had to work for it. The trick is to work smarter, not necessarily harder for what you want. So how do I work smarter in terms of hair care? Go back to the basics.
  
Well some time last year I realized that my hair wasn't like everyone else. Products and regimens that worked for others just didn't have the same effect on my hair. So I payed attention, and through much trial and error I figured somethings out about my hair. The one and perhaps most important thing I discovered is the fact that my hair is fragile, even at it's strongest. Although my hair has been more than forgiving, given the amount of abuse I use to put it through, this one "flaw" makes my hair super sensitive to neglect. When I hear women say "consistency is key" they aren't kidding. As much as I want to look towards a particular product to help me with the various hair issues I am having at the moment the most basic, and perhaps one of the most beneficial things I can do for my hair is be consistent. I will be honest I think many of the issues I have had for the last 4+ weeks (I am experiencing some breakage y'all!) has had a lot more to do with my inconsistency than the fact that my hair "simply won't grow". I laugh at myself because even writing that sounds silly. I know my hair is growing, but that small voice seems to creep in every time I see tiny pieces of hair in my hand or I get a relaxer touch up and see that the sides or various sections of my hair hasn't budged. Rather than drive myself stir crazy I need to really look at what it is I am or am not doing to my hair. What is the simplest thing I can do for my hair that I am not doing to help bring it back on track? When in doubt, always go back to the basics.