How to prepare for your big chop

Some women transition, some women big chop. I am one of those who big chopped. I went from having nearly waist length hair to having a very short afro. It was a major change but, I loved it. I didn’t make this decision overnight. It was a passing thought for a few months before I took it seriously. What made me decide to cut my hair was the fact that I had found a reason for doing it. I was over having to deal with so much hair so, I felt like the best thing for me to do was to give it to someone who would appreciate it. I love helping others and after looking at my three months of new growth, I realized (although it is obvious) that my hair is always growing and will continue to grow, assuming I remain healthy. So, I figured, why not donate my hair to someone who doesn’t have any, specifically a child with cancer. In the end, I do not regret my decision in anyway. My big chop not only changed my life, it also impacted the life of a child.

So, if you’re on the fence about whether you should big chop, here are my tips that might help you take the plunge:

1. Research other people’s big chops stories. Cutting your hair can be intimidating. But, hearing/reading about other people’s stories can help ease some of your worries. Learning about why they did, how they felt before and after, and their overall experience can help give you a better understanding of what to expect. Keep in mind that everyone’s story is different so you will probably come across good and bad experiences. Try to be open-minded while doing your research.
2. Determine your reason why. Is it to get rid of damage? To reinvent yourself? To make your own diamond? (it’s an actual thing. Google it) Your reason does not have to be major, it could be as simple as you just wanting to do it because it’s Wednesday but, having a reason to cut your hair makes it a lot easier to follow through with your decision. Once you know why you want to do it, you give yourself less room to talk yourself out of it.
3. Tell someone. To be more specific, tell someone who you care about and who is supportive. That way, they can hold you accountable and you will feel more inclined to follow through.
4. Determine who is going to do it. Figure out the person you trust and feel the most comfortable with to cut your hair. Do you trust yourself enough to do it or would you prefer a friend/ family member or a professional to do it?
5. Set a date and do it. Make sure that you are mentally prepared for the cut before you do this because once you set the date, there should be no turning back. Don’t overthink it, don’t talk yourself out of it, just do it.
6. Ignore the haters. Generally, people will be very supportive and positive but, you will come across one or two negative people. Just ignore them. It’s your hair, not theirs. Once you’re comfortable with it then no one else’s opinion matters.

I hope you found these tips helpful. Remember, regardless of whether you decide to transition, big chop or stay relaxed, you are beautiful no matter what state your hair is in.