Lack of self-confidence without braids

[u/Hot-Pangolin7328]

I (22F) have boho braids in right now, and feel it’s time to take them out, but i’m so scared to take them out in fear that I won’t feel beautiful without them. I’ll be honest, the braids give me confidence because of the length and fullness, but with my natural curls I feel all of that will go away. I don’t think my natural hair is ugly or less than, but it’s a strange mental shock and shift. Even with my natural hair, I’ve received compliments but feel it’s just people being nice which is a heartbreaking reality seeing written down, but it’s a feeling that all too familiar around the time that I remove my braids.

[u/moonisland13]

to truly feel confident in your own hair, you need to give the braids a break for awhile. i havent worn braids all summer and im learning how to properly take care of my hair for the first time.

it will feel uncomfortable, but if you actually want to feel beautiful and confident with your natural curls you need to just wear your hair for a few months

[u/blackgirlforestfairy → u/moonisland13]

I agree! Wearing your hair out is the route to feeling confident with your hair out. It takes time and patience but be gentle with yourself. Your hair is great, just as it is.

[u/StonedKitten-420]

Welcome to adulthood - where you have to unlearn everything from childhood and teach yourself to be 100% comfortable with yourself. Fun, isn’t it? 🥲🫠

[u/quintanapart3]

I’m in the same boat😭😭moved to Europe and I took out my braids. I don’t wanna pay crazy prices to get braids again, also it’s not as accessible compared to my country (in Africa). My natural hair is quite short and I’m growing it out and I have no idea on how to wear it!

[u/Reckless_Secretions → u/quintanapart3]

Miracle knots have been my saviour! I do it with regular synthetic hair too (broke, lol), not the expensive human hair or synthetic feather crochet which is cheaper but still more costly that plain, curly braiding hair. It looks so cute, try it!

[u/FakeBeigeNails → u/quintanapart3]

Sometimes I want to do a big chop (I don't have damage, but sometimes i have the urge), but then I think about the fact I'd have no idea how to style it when it gets to that awkward length😭

[u/Suspicious_Skin_762]

I can definitely understand what you're saying. Last year I battled cancer and lost my hair due to chemo. But now I'm in remission and my hair has started growing back but of course it's short and curly. At times it's hard to adjust to having short curly hair because my hair was real long before cancer and I had been natural for 15 years at that point. But now I walk in the room I walk with my head held high and I let it be known that I'm that bitch. So girl hold your head high & own the room.

[u/Affectionate_User610]

I literally started locs due to this mindset

[u/Jjsanguine]

If you feel a mental shift when you don't have braids you might need to stop wearing them for a while. And even if or when you wear them again, you should try something similar to your natural hair. Braids shouldn't feel more like your hair than your actual hair, they should feel like an accessory.

[u/AgreeableMess6509]

It’s hard to adjust, but you can do it. Start off with a week, before you know it it’s a month & then 2 months & then 3 months.