Natural Hair Fails: 8 Behaviors to Sidestep During Your Journey to Prepare for Success

Are you in pursuit of your best hair? You should be. Your hair goals are attainable. However, you have to learn to avoid natural hair fails.

Natural hair fails are those behaviors that sabotage your journey. We all have them.

However, identifying potential natural hair fails early will help you to minimize their effects and help set you up for natural hair success. So, read on as we draw attention to some common natural hair fails and provide you with the information to avoid them.

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Natural Hair Fail 1: Continuing to Participate in Hair Abuse

Do you abuse your natural hair? Any rough handling or neglect of your natural hair, i.e. natural hair bad habits, could be termed abuse. Since abuse works against the pursuit of your best hair, evade it at all costs.

Natural hair abuse doesn’t have to throw a wrench in your natural hair journey. Check out our previous post, Stop Your Abuse By Breaking These 5 Natural Hair Bad Habits, for strategies to combat these behaviors.

Natural Hair Fail 2: Rushing Your Regimen or Styling

We all know that not leaving enough time to complete any task can spell disaster. Humans have a propensity for cutting corners or leaving steps undone when time runs short.

This can happen in your natural hair regimen if you allow it. Rushing through detangling, skipping deep conditioning, and/or not thoroughly cleansing your scalp can leave ill effects on your hair.

So, how do you fight this natural hair fail? Place your hair regimen activities on your schedule, being sure to allow plenty of time to complete. Moreover, learn to multi-task during your regimen to avoid wasted time. Do housework, go through mail/emails, or catch up on your reading during your regimen’s processing times. Also, prep any DIY products in advance to shave time off your wash day.

Natural Hair Fail 3: Refusing to Do Your Research

Would you try to use a new kitchen appliance without reading the operator’s manual first? I would hope not!

So, why would you try to care for your natural hair without some guidance? Trying to take care of your natural hair without some instruction will only lead to mistakes and frustration, dashing your chances for hair success.

To prevent this natural hair fail, keep learning about how to care for your natural hair. The internet provides access to numerous articles (like this one), videos, eBooks, etc. on the how to best nurture your hair.

Moreover, you could grab a natural hair care book to serve as your primary guide. Check out the ones below to get you started:

Natural Hair Fail 4: Being Inattentive When Your Hair Speaks

Your hair is just like any other part of your body. It speaks to you when an issue arises just like your stomach growls when you’re hungry or you run a fever when ill.

In order to win on a natural hair journey, you must pick up on the signs your hair gives you when it needs something. Well, how do you do that?

Spend time actually familiarizing yourself with how your hair looks and feels. Furthermore, know your usual texture, moisture level, springiness (elasticity), and shine.

Take notice when your hair changes. Increased shedding/breakage, reduced manageability, dryness, and hair thinning should sound your internal hair alarm. Of course, as you notice issues, deal with them. You may need to decrease or increase the frequency of a particular hair practice or switch hair products if needed.

Additionally, make a record of your progress in a hair diary. Document any hair issues, adverse effects from hair products, length checks, etc.

women-with-big-natural-hair — Image by: Bobby Rodriguezz at Unsplash.com.

Natural Hair Fail 5: Inconsistency

Inconsistency easily promotes failure in all areas of life. Your natural hair needs regular nutrition, moisture, and protection in order to attain its best state. Furthermore, an inconsistent natural hair regimen will never yield the results you desire.

You can be strategic in encouraging consistency within a natural hair regimen. Try to complete your weekly regimen at the same time each week. Also, hold yourself accountable by setting a calendar reminder or adding your natural hair care to your daily/weekly to-do list.

Moreover, try giving yourself small rewards for completing your weekly natural hair care tasks for positive reinforcement. Spend an extra 30 minutes doing something you really love. Alternatively, you could go and enjoy a couple hours out with friends.

Natural Hair Fail 6: Not Taking Care of Your Overall Health

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Your hair reflects your overall health. Thus, you cannot expect your best natural hair results with a poor diet, lack of exercise, or deficient sleep. Taking care of your overall health provides the best environment for your hair to thrive.

Several healthy behaviors will help procure your best chances for success. First, eat a nutritious diet. Remember, you are literally what you eat. You should structure your meals to include plenty of good protein sources like eggs, fish, lean poultry, etc.

Also, lean heavily on vegetables to round out your plate. They contain the vitamins and nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth.

Next, drink enough water. This assists with maintaining the hair’s proper moisture balance. Need a rule of thumb on how much water is enough? Check out Step 2 in our previous post, Keys to Successful Natural Hair Length Retention: 5 Steps to Protect & Nurture Your Ends, for information on suggested daily intake.

Furthermore, you need to exercise regularly. Physical activity improves circulation and helps flush pore-clogging toxins from the body. It also will help with nutrient delivery and waste removal from your scalp, promoting healthier hair.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2^nd edition, issued by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week for adults. Muscle-strengthening activities are also suggested 2-3 days each week.

Last but not least, don’t skimp on the sleep. Sleep gives our bodies the opportunity to repair itself. In addition, good sleep habits allow us to better cope with stress. Your scalp, just like other body parts, benefit from the body’s repair cycle. Additionally, not dealing appropriately with stress may eventually lead to hair loss.

So, get your 7-8 hours of sleep each night during your journey to your best hair.

Natural Hair Fail 7: Not Getting Help When You Need It

Everyone needs assistance from time to time. Why not consult others with more expertise with natural hair than yourself when you need it? Not reaching out for help can stifle the most promising natural hair journey before it begins.

Don’t be afraid to consult your stylist if you have a natural hair issue you can’t handle on your own. Furthermore, ask questions of your natural hair influencers on social media. Also, go ahead and comment with questions on natural hair blogs and YouTube channels.

Natural Hair Fail 8: Refusing to be Patient

My mom often says that patience is a virtue. Moreover, patience serves as the natural hair journey’s best friend. Why?

Exuding patience keeps you positive. This leads you to focus on what you can control versus dwelling on what you can’t control (i.e. your hair’s genetically-determined growth rate). In addition, attaining hair goals takes time. Thus, impatience may cause you to end your journey before it even has a chance to start.

Keep your natural hair journey moving in the right direction with patience. Don’t engage in comparing your goal progress with others. Your journey has to go at its own pace. It’s not a competition against others.

Stay focused on planning and executing your natural hair journey. This will engage you in the items you can change with regards to your journey. Likewise, when frustration does hit (and it will), take a moment to reflect on why you started your natural hair journey in the first place.

Moreover, don’t forget to celebrate your progress even if you feel its too small or not good enough. A natural hair care journey is just as much about attitude as it is about the products and techniques you use.

Wrapping It Up

Don’t let a natural hair fail destroy your natural hair journey before you have reached your destination. By recognizing and addressing the common natural hair journey obstacles discussed in the post, you will be well on your way to the hair you desire.

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