My Dreaded Life | My Dreadlock Story

in steemlocks •  7 years ago 


^^^This is a video^^^

The wonderful @thehebrewhousewife suggested, if I hadn’t already, to tell the story behind my dreadlocks!

So, I’m taking her up on the idea, and I’d like to also share how it has impacted me life!

Five years ago (I said 4 in the video, opps!) this past February, the Yeti (@freedompoint), was prepping to dread his own hair, and while we were looking up the “how-to’s” and the “what to purchase’s” a lot of pictures of women with dreaded hair popped up, and I started to really like the dreaded hair look! So on a complete whim I decided to dread my hair! I wish I had taken a picture of the Yeti’s face when I told him I was serious!

So, that weekend we spent about eight hours dreading my hair while we binge watched Netflix!

I go into more detail of how we did it in the video.

Since I‘ve dreaded my hair, it has had a huge impact on my life and the way I see the people around me.

Before I had dreads, I was a pretty average lady. I don’t say that in a negative, self-deprecating way, I just blended into the crowd easily. Well now that I stand out more, people are much more apt to talk to me which really surprised me!

Honestly, I thought I was most likely to be shunned away…I’d run away to live in a high, abandoned tower while the towns people chased after me with a pitch forks and torches!

What really happened was the exact opposite.

The first weekend my dreads were in we went out to dinner, and I’ve never been smiled at so much in my life. Since then, I’ve noticed a huge shift in how people respond to me. They strike up conversations more often, and ask questions about my dreads while giving me lots of compliments! So many times, I have had women lean in real close and whisper that they’ve always wanted to dread their hair, but was too afraid to do it.

And I always respond by telling them that there’s nothing to be afraid of!

The pitch forks and torches never came!

So, I would encourage anyone who has ever considered dreadlocks or a hairstyle change to go for it! As the Yet says… >Where your crazy on the outside!

Along with all of this I would like to start a new tag, #steemlocks as a way to create another avenue for community with people who have ventured into wearing their crazy on the outside! Whether it was dreads or any other distinguishing hairstyle, I’d love to hear how it has impacted your life!


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Oh Shoot! I am so behind in my Steemin' I ddn't get a chance to read and upvote before your payout. The dreads look great on you. I remember going to school with a gal who had dreads and I was always envious of her bravery. How crazy to think of a hairstyle as brave, but you're right, if you don't fit into societies beauty standard, you are more likely to be treated like an outcast. It's an unfortunate truth. Had I seen this post before my Behind the Curtain post, I may have added the #steemlocks tag too. My hair style isn't completely outrageous, but it does attract attention and I do get a lot of compliments on it. I probably should have done before and after pictures when I cut it and made post! Shucks. -Aimee

It crazy to think of a hairstyle being brave...makes me feel like there isn't enough important things going on in our world. But I think society is society...even if there was mass chaos everywhere, the person who looks different would still stand out.

I think you could still make a post! You could use any past picture with a new one!

Yay!! I was just remembering this the other day. I think it’s funny you went with the dreadlocks, when it was the Yeti who wanted them first. I think they suit you better than they would for him. Shh, don’t tell ;)
I’m really surprised by the response you get from strangers, but that’s awesome! Isn’t it interesting how our perceptions can be so off?!
I know he’s busy, but I’m going to tag @humanearl to share his story sometime, if he hasn’t done so already.

I had thought about it a long time ago and wondered too what would people think, especially a mom with four kids! I think of it sometimes now, but again I am a grandma of seven and I am grey haired and short.

I think you should do it! Think about how inspirational it will be for your grandkids to see you grab life!

This is great but I'm not familiar with dreadlocks and how the society reacts to it. Is there any particular reason why people would have to come after you with pitchforks and torches just because of how you decided to do your hair, I'm curious.

Thank you for this question! The more I thought about it, the deeper my response seemed to get. In our culture, success is often determined by wealth and beauty. When someone steps outside of those goals, for instance choosing a less paying job so they can have more quality time with their family or dreading or changing their hair to something abnormal, they can be looked at as differently and sometimes treated poorly. However, there are people that admire others for doing what makes them happy even if it doesn't look the way that they're used to. The pitch forks and torches were only symbolic for that feeling of being casted out as an ousider that doesn't belong anymore. I hope that answers your question!

Yes of course, I see now. So you can literally be a social outcast just because of your hair. Thanks for the response though, it was enlightening.

I hate to paint my society in such a negative light...but I feel like I'm on the outside looking in on it often.

I've been trying three times to watch this and I can't get enough wifi power to load it...so so bummed!!!! But you get my vote before the bell ends the round.. I hope to actually see it soon!

I wish you could watch it! It would be great to see you and have a business meeting!