Care for Your Hair like Something Precious

When something you care about needs attention, do you ignore it, or do you take the steps to handle it properly—even when it’s inconvenient? Some things are worth the effort, no matter how tedious the upkeep. In fact, all things of value require careful attention and maintenance. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency and thoughtful care.

Think of your favorite handbag.

It has beautiful stitching, gorgeous color, premium material, and high quality hardware.

No matter how many times you move the buckle and adjust the strap, always secure.

And you paid good money for it.

Imagine, a year later, one of the threads got loose, or the side is a little worn.

You wouldn’t just throw out the bag and get a new one. You wouldn’t want a new one, you’d still want the original. You’d just repair it yourself or get help to have it repaired. Because it’s worth keeping and worth maintaining.

That’s pretty much how I think of my hair.

If it’s frustrating to care for, at the moment, or I have too many split ends and knots, or it’s become too hard from a bad case of protein overload. My first solution isn’t to cut it. (Unless that’s actually what it needs, of course.) It’s to find out what went wrong and how I can fix it. I do my research. I go on YouTube and look for people with hair like mine. I ask someone I know who’s also into hair care, and I learn from them.

I love my hair. I love creating different styles. I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t care that it takes time and effort and consistency.

I don’t care because I love it!

People commit to their car - they keep it clean, they change the oil, they get it detailed, they rotate the tires ... and they show it off in front of their friends every week. They don’t mind the upkeep, because they're proud of what they have. They see the value in it and are happy to afford it, and make any adjustments that come with it.

For instance, imagine a person who has dreamt for years of buying a certain car. They see one they want, they don’t mind the price, they get it. Or they save up money in order to buy it. Or they take out a loan. They do whatever they need to, in order to keep and maintain the car, or to be ready to buy that car. The car is their baby. With a name and everything. (A name, a care routine, a favorite auto shop and favorite mechanic!) Certain cars have rare parts that are hard to replace, but they (the buyer) don’t care because they want that car!

When you commit to something and you decide you truly want it, nothing else matters.

Whether it’s your house, a special watch or family heirloom, wardrobe pieces, plants, or your actual kids. They mean the world to you, and you don’t give up on them because they threw a tantrum that one time (nevermind 500 times).

You don’t give up on things you love just because they stop being convenient. You keep them and maintain them - you nurture them - because you love them and they mean a lot to you.

Like an artist’s first sketchbook, a musician’s first guitar, a chef’s first journal or recipe book.

Imagine one of your favorite things, and how much it means to you. And then, ask yourself, how much you value your hair, compared to that thing.

Not that it needs to be the same. This is just an illustration, for comparison’s sake. It helps put things in perspective.

That’s all for now.

Just things to think about.

Thanks for reading!