Last Updated on April 9, 2023 by Verna Meachum

So you’ve decided to go natural. Congratulations! Making the decision to wear our hair in its natural state is a big step, and it’s one that requires a lot of dedication and patience.

Transitioning from damaged hair to healthy hair can be a daunting task. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the process, especially if you’re not sure where to start.

Unfortunately, many women give up on their natural hair journey because they didn’t expect the challenges they faced.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about the mindset when transitioning hair, and how to avoid disappointment.

I remember when I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. I made so many mistakes.

I’m sure many of you can relate to this: You start off on a healthy hair journey, with the best of intentions.

You do your research, buy the right products, and follow all the necessary steps.

But then something goes wrong. Maybe you over moisturized your hair or used too much protein. Whatever it is, you end up back at square one.

So you start over, buying new products and following new techniques and methods. You’ve learned from your mistakes, and you’re ready to take on this journey again.

I had no idea what I was in for, but I was determined to figure it out. After all, my hair is my crowning glory.

And finally, after many months of hard work and dedication, you achieve your goal: healthy curls! You’re stronger now than you were before.

Thankfully, I learned from my mishaps, and now (and I say this with the upmost humility), here I am, helping others in their own natural hair journey.

I know how challenging this journey can be, and one of the keys to a successful transformation is having the right mindset.

You need to be patient, determined, and willing to learn.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is expecting too much from ourselves. We want healthy hair overnight, and when that doesn’t happen, we become discouraged.

Remember, this is a journey, not a destination. It will take time and patience to achieve your goals.

You may have setbacks, but you can’t give up! You must persevere.

What Does It Mean To Transition To Natural Hair?

The term “hair transitioning” refers to a person who has naturally curly hair moving away from relaxed hair or straightening treatments (or from using heat styling tools), and instead returning to their natural curl pattern.

One of the most important decisions for those who are transitioning is whether to go for the “big chop” or to gradually trim off the processed hair over time.

Many choose to transition their hair gradually because they want to avoid the initial shock of having short hair. Others prefer the “big chop” because it allows them to start fresh.

What is the big chop?

The “big chop” refers to cutting off all of your processed, damaged hair.

This allows you to start your natural hair journey without all the damage.

It can be a bit daunting, but it’s a great way to kick-start your journey and begin with a fresh canvas. I highly suggest visiting a curly hair specialist who can further examine your hair and give you the best cut for your texture.

Transition Process

Transitioning to natural hair can be hard. It’s a whole new world with new rules that you have to learn and follow if you want to reach your healthy hair goals.

But it’s not impossible, I promise!

You just need to be willing to change your mindset and approach things a little differently.

Shifting the mindset

The mindset we adopt when transitioning our hair is important, as it can affect our progress and how smoothly the transition goes.

It’s essential to have realistic expectations by setting ourselves up for success and avoid disappointment by putting ourselves in a position to succeed.

General information is key to understanding your hair and how to best care for it.

This includes learning about the different hair types, the products that are best suited for your needs, and proper styling techniques.

We must also be mindful of our own personal hair care habits and make adjustments where necessary.

For example, if we are used to using lots of heat on our hair, we need to find ways to style our hair without heat.

Information overload

One of the biggest challenges we face is information overload. There are so many products, techniques, and opinions out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for us.

That’s why I always recommend starting off with a simple routine, focusing on one or two products and techniques at a time.

This will help you get use to your new natural hair routine and find what works best for you.

Transitioning your hair can be a challenge, but with the right mindset, you can make the journey much smoother.

Remember that success comes down to your commitment to a process, so stay focused and dedicated to your goals.

Healthy hair journey is a process

We live in a generation where people are always looking for new and innovative ways to achieve healthy hair fast.

While this can be a good thing, it has also caused some people to harm their hair by using the wrong products or methods.

I believe that in order to have healthy hair, we need to learn how to listen to our hair and give it what it truly needs.

Most people are not patient enough to embrace the process and become so overwhelmed with their hair that they give up before they truly see results.

A natural hair journey is a process, and it takes time to see results.

I encourage you to stay the course, learn your hair, and be consistent.

Products and Techniques

There are a variety of products and techniques that can be used while transitioning to natural curls.

I recommend using a good quality shampoo and conditioner for your hair texture, but I do not believe that all natural products are created equal.

There are some great natural hair products on the market, but there are also a lot of not so good products.

Some products on the market claim to be natural but still contain harsh chemicals.

Do your research and find products that work for your hair texture or curl pattern, and lifestyle.

Be patient with your hair

Many people are blinded by the outcomes or results we’ve accomplished, or by what they see from their favorite natural hair gurus, and they fail to grasp how much time and hard work it took to achieve them.

People frequently ask what hair products you used to restore your curl, as if the answer is simple…

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it takes more than just products; it takes time, patience, and a lot of hard work to achieve healthy natural curls.

When transitioning, it’s important to have the right mindset. This means setting your expectations realistically and not expecting too much too soon.

If you’re someone who is currently in the process of transitioning your hair, it can be super helpful to see the successes of others.

It can give you the hope and motivation you need to stay committed to your own journey.

Remember, success takes time and dedication, so don’t give up on yourself!

Transitioning Tips for Curly Hair

Be prepared to learn a lot

The process of transitioning to natural hair can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember to take things one step at a time.

Educate yourself about natural hair care, and find out what works best for you. Be patient and allow yourself time to grow and experiment with your hair. It’s all part of the process.

Don’t wait for your curls to be the same as your hair guru!

Your hair will have different and multiple curl patterns, textures, no volume, dull, stringy, etc. for awhile. Each curl is different and behaves differently; it’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get 🙂

You have to learn to love your hair and not somebody else’s. Love every step of the journey knowing that you’re on your way to better, healthier hair.

You don’t have to follow every single piece of hair advice

You do not have to follow every single hair tip/method/application/technique to the letter, but following a healthy hair regimen, even when you want to slack off will benefit your hair’s progress and results over time.

Keep a hair journal

If you keep track of your progress, you can figure out which techniques and products work best for your hair.

Get a hair journal and take pictures of your progress. You will be able to see the positive changes in your hair and celebrate its successes!

Moisture/Protein balance

How your hair responds and reacts to hair care products is determined by your capacity to manage and navigate the interaction of moisture and protein in your hair.

Remember, there is nothing wrong with your hair; it’s just different. Getting to know how moisture and protein balance is achieved will help you understand your hair better.

Learn ingredients!

Your old regimen will not necessarily work

The process of transitioning your hair from relaxed or damaged hair to natural curls can be intimidating. Your hair has different needs (everything changes) and you’ll need to adjust the way you style, and care for it.

It will feel like you’re being sucked into a new reality, in essence- you are.

The products you use and the techniques you employ will be different than when you were using a relaxer or heat styling tool.

Remember, it will take longer to achieve your desired results, so have patience!

Time

If there was a hair care product that could magically repair damage, it would contain one ingredient: TIME.

Time is the one commodity that is always in short supply, but it is also the one thing that is necessary for any type of hair damage recovery.

Time has never failed anyone trying to recover from damaged hair, and it is the common denominator in all healthy hair regimens.

Open to change

Remember that flexibility and variety are the keys to hair survival as you continue down your path. Our haircare routines must be adaptable at all times.

Healthy hair is more than just following a routine. It’s about being open to change and understanding that your hair will change as you progress on your natural hair journey.

You will, at times, need to be able to pivot and adjust your regimen to get it right.

Let your hair be your guide

No matter how well written a blog, book, or article may be, they all face shortcomings when it comes to conveying them in an effective manner that will work best for YOUR hair.

Always let your hair be your guide.

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of online resources and natural hair communities available that can offer advice and support.

Conclusion

Accept the fact that transitioning is a long process. You may have to endure several months of two-textured hair before you can fully embrace your natural curls.

You will have to embrace the awkward phase and be patient with your hair during this time, but when you finally reach your goal of having healthy, natural curls you will be so glad that you did. It’s going to be worth it!

Be patient and kind to your hair while transitioning. The health of your hair should be the number one priority, so don’t try to rush the process.

The key to a successful natural hair journey is being patient and taking things slow (think ‘tortoise and the hare’). There will be times when you want to give up, but don’t let that happen.

Keep your head high and remember why you started this journey in the first place!

Be proud of your hair, no matter what stage it’s in.