Avoiding Setbacks | Keeping Consistency

Healthy Hair
I've been thinking non-stop about my goals for the year.  Obviously, I would like 2014 to be an amazing year with regards to my hair goals.  One of my intentions is to avoid set backs as much as humanly possible.  "A setback is a setup for a comeback!"  Those words are normally spoken to add a bit of inspiration to a dire situation.  Honestly, I would rather avoid a setback all together.  In the world of the hair journey, ever single inch gained counts.
Last year I suffered a pretty bad set back that required a mini chop. I'm determined to avoid a repeat of this if at all possible.  Hence the idea to create an "avoiding setbacks" series where we discuss tips and tricks to keep our progress going in the right direction.

Setbacks can occur for a multitude of reasons. For today's session, we will discuss the most obvious.  I too fell victim to this enemy last year and my hair paid dearly for it.  I'm referring to lack of action, or laziness.  Knowing that you should do something but not doing it.  In my case, I had a firm habit of deep conditioning weekly but, somehow, time seemed scarce and I thought it would be ok to skip a few sessions here and there.  I'd keep my hair in a top knot too long and, next thing you know, I'm batting serious tangles come wash day.  Little did I know how much my acts of neglect were adding up until I visited the salon and came to the realization that  a major trim would be the only method of salvation.

I've learned my lesson, since then I've been committed to consistency.  Even though wash days take even longer now then before (since adding my conditioning iron to the process).  I firmly believe that if I'm committed to executing flawless wash day rituals each week, the likelihood of experiencing a set back is slim.

 So rule #1 to avoiding a setback is:  Avoid skipping wash days and always, always deep condition when you wash.

If we give our hair 52 deep conditioning nourishing treatments a year, we can rest assured that we are promoting progress, while keeping set backs at bay.  If there was a healthy hair pyramid, deep conditioning treatments would be at the bottom supporting the entire structure.  This year, I'm making a promise to stay on course.  Another thing I'm vowing to do is utilize my steamer on the regular instead of saving it for when my hair is in need of a deep repair treatment.

Very simple, I will be following rule #1 week by week in the name of progress. Stay tuned for more tips on avoiding setbacks in future posts.

8 comments

  1. Oh, I love this!
    I had a setback because I decided in August that I was only going to wear my hair straight and used all kinds of heat on a much too frequent basis with no protein treatments and minimal DCs. I am focusing on hydration, pH balancing, and protective styling this year to make up for the lack of progress of the last 4 months of last year.

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  2. I think that I'm going to love this series girl! I may love to experiment with products but I'll always always always deep condition my hair. Setbacks are so no fun.

    KLP | SavingOurStrands

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  3. Def. important! I noticed that once of my setbacks come from weave wearing. Not the tension, but because the hair gets dry. No more set backs!

    ~Sherine
    Confessions Of A City Girl

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  4. This is going to be a great series! I'm definitely going to stop skipping regular wash days and deep condition every time to avoid a set back. My hair is like anything else and I have to make time for it!

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  5. You are soooo right! A miss here and a miss there and before you know it you are mini - chopping!

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  6. I need help! I usually wear weaves but I have turned to box braids because its too cold where I live and I dont have time to take care of a weave. Does anyone know what is the best way to care for your hair while wearing breads.

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    1. Wash ur hair regularly. At least once a week. Just shampoo ur scalp n d run-off of shampoo will wash d braids. Dilute ur deep conditioner n pour it over ur head n braids after washing. Lightly oil ur scalp when its dry. Use a good braid spray to moisturise regularly. Spray until d braids r damp. Don't plait too tiny braids especially on ur edges. When taking out d braids, slather each braid with a detangler b4 taking it out to minimize tangles n breakage. Anyway head over to www.africanhairblog.com It's where I got all these tips from

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  7. Thank for this! This has been the story of my life…well hair lol. I am looking forward to the remainder of the series. Great Post!

    -Constance

    lovealwaysconstance.com

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