How to Build Confidence With Your Natural Hair

There are different Reasons why some of us may struggle to feel confident wearing our natural hair. Perhaps some of us n were taught (either directly or indirectly) that straightening our hair would improve its appearance. Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that many women lack confidence with their natural hair because they've been conditioned to believe otherwise.

And then there are the women who have struggled with low self-esteem for so long that they don't realize they're struggling. They may think they're doing fine, but deep down, they're struggling. And that can cause them to feel uncertain about whether or not they'll ever be able to truly accept themselves.

That being said, confidence with natural hair doesn't develop overnight. Rather, it develops over time. As women learn to love and accept themselves and their hair, and as they continue to show up for themselves, even when they feel uncertain or unsure, they begin to develop greater levels of confidence.

With that in mind, let's talk about some ways to develop confidence when you are new to wearing your natural hair.

 Step One: Accept that Confidence Takes Time

The biggest mistake many women make when they start wearing their natural hair is expecting to feel 100% confident right off the bat. They expect to wake up in the morning, put on their natural hair and suddenly feel like they can take on the world. However, confidence rarely develops in that manner. More often than not, confidence develops in small increments.

Each time you walk out the door with your natural hair as is. Each time you resist the urge to hide your hair. Each time you look in the mirror and decide not to criticize your reflection.

As such, you don't need to feel 100% confident on Day 1. What you need to do is continue to show up for yourself.

 Step Two: Find Styles that Make You Feel Comfortable

There is no rule that says you have to jump right into the most complicated or difficult styles. In fact, if you're new to natural hair, starting with styles that are more relaxed can give you an opportunity to get used to having your natural hair.

Whether that means a twist out, a bun, a puff, flat twists or a wash-and-go that works for your hair, the focus isn't on trying to impress anyone else. The focus is on helping you to feel more at ease as you navigate the process.

In general, developing confidence comes when you feel prepared. By learning a few basic styles that work well for your hair, you'll feel more comfortable and less worried.

Step Three: Refrain from Comparing Yourself to Others

Comparing yourself to others is one of the fastest ways to crush your confidence. When you're new to natural hair, it's easy to look at other women and compare their hair to yours. You may think their curls are tighter, their volume is thicker, or their hair seems to be easier to manage.

But the reality is that everyone's hair is different. And your hair doesn't have to look like someone else's hair to be beautiful. It doesn't have to perform like someone else's hair to be worth caring for. Your natural hair is not failing simply because it doesn't look like the pictures in magazines or advertisements.

The faster you stop using someone else's hair as the benchmark for your own, the faster you'll be able to find your own beauty.

 Step Four: Carefully Consider What Voices You Allow into Your Mind

When your confidence is still growing, outside opinions can be incredibly loud. That's why it's so important to consider what voices you allow into your mind. Who do you follow? Who do you surround yourself with? Do you spend more time reading blogs that tell you that your hair is ugly and unmanageable, or do you spend more time reading blogs that tell you that your hair is beautiful and worth protecting?

Do you surround yourself with people who constantly criticize, mock, or question your choices? Or do you surround yourself with people who encourage you and support you?

The amount of conversation you receive while you're building confidence really doesn't matter. What matters is that you receive positive reinforcement, truth and enough space to grow.