HELP! :'(

I know I haven't been around on the site for a while, and the following will probably tell you why. I absolutely have no idea why I feel like this. For some reason, I seem to be losing motivation in growing my hair long. It just seems now that I'm barely, or in most people's opionions, not even at shoulder length, that I'm just stuck in this never ending circle of cut, grow, cut, grow. My hair seems to be growing like a snail, and then just when I get it to shoulder length-time for a trim!

And then I just lose all motivation on the subject. I mean, I still really want long hair and everything, but I lose motivation to keep care of it. You'll probably cringe when I say this, but I don't usually keep it covered when I go outside in our harsh weather, and just a couple weeks ago I *eeep* :o...straightened it. And then I was finding split ends, too! Does anyone have any ideas to keep me motivated? Get me out of this vicious circle of never really making it past shoulder length? Maybe some inspiring articles?

        Thanks,  
                     Jilayne.

Everyone goes thru phases with their hair and has their moments of frustration.  Maybe if you took a picture of your hair at this point, then "photoshopped" it to make it appear longer.  Print that picture and look at it each day for motivation to get to that length.

Trying new styles can help but try to avoid anything that will add damage such as straightening, coloring, or any heated appliances.  

Try to learn or perfect different braiding styles.  Perfecting your braiding skills when you hair is a shorter lenght is much easier than when it is longer.

Thanks, BB. I will. :)

I find that measuring my hair helps when I feel like its not growing.  Just once a month, and then even though I can't see the difference I know its there.  

Good luck--we definitely all go through it!

((((((Jilayne)))))))

No one ever said that this journey would be an easy one. Frustration is normal, especially while hair is still short. And you have to get past that stage for it to ever be long.

Valerie & BB are right - we all go through those awkward stages where it seems like your hair just isn't growing at all, even though it is. Monthly measurements can verify this for you.

Part of the problem could be timing your trims too close together. I'm not sure how often you get them, but you shouldn't lose more length than you've grown. If you're going for length, try going 6 months between trims.

In the mean time, try to find something more important to distract yourself with.

Thanks, girls. I try to measure once a month, but I don't usually lately (for some unknown reason...?) And I do try to get trims every 6 months. But what has been happening is when I got bangs and I really didn't like them so I grew them for a bit and cut my hair about three inches below my chin. And then I grew it some more, and when  my bangs got to my chin, I cut my hair to my chin. and now, I grew it for almost six months, got a half inch trim, and its basically at my shoulders when dry, and for sure at my shoullders when wet or straight. And so I've never really gotten past 16'' inches (which is what I'm pretty sure my hair is now).

I'll try to stop thinking about it. But thanks.  :)

My daughter just saw the pic of your hair in your avatar and said, "Wow, her hair is so pretty!"

It really is!   ;)

awww....Skyfire, you and your daughter just made my day. Thank you.  :)

Okay. I decided to begin my attack plan in re-motivating myself/healthifying my hair and deep condition intensifiyingly, which I'm doing right now, even though I'm pretty sure my hair isn't that damaged. but oh well. I'll feel more motivated.
Also, I'm going to protect my hair whenver I go outside. And....I don't know too much about the braiding thing (besides the regular braid) , but I'll try to learn how to french braid and do other more intricate braids. I really want to learn, but honestly, it takes alot of practice, and I can't do a decent french braid on myself to save my life.
And BTW, I measured and my hair is for sure 16'' when dry. Does any of you know, like on the average person, if that is "officially" shoulder length? (Like you know how BSL is "officially" 25''?) Because I totally hope so. Then I can say that I FINALLY say I made it to shoulder length without having to cut again. :D

Thanks,
             Jilayne :)

Hey, if any part of your hair touches your shoulders when you're facing forward, you've achieved shoulder length. 16 is shoulder-length on me...

I taught myself to french braid in a sort of wierd way.  My arms would always get so tired by the time I was halfway done that I would just give up and take it out.  So what I did is instead of starting the braid way in the front, I gathered my hair just above my ears, like I was doing a half-up, and started there.  The resulting french braid looked sort of funny, starting halfway down my head, but I was able to get my fingers used to what they had to do without tiring my arms out.  Now I can start up by my crown without getting tired, though anything forward of that is still hard for me.

WOO! My hair is shoulder length! That is great!  ;D :D :)

Yeah, I can kind of french braid on myself, but I tottally suck at it so it turns out really demented looking. I'll try what you said. Thanks, Skyfire
  So anyways, today I went out and bought biotin vitamins (those are the healthy hair vitamins, right?) because I read on here that they were wicked good for your hair. And is it true that they make your hair grow faster?  :-?
Besides that, I also bought this new shampoo that I'm gonna start using after I'm done my old stuff. Pantene Nature Fusion its called. Here's the link-http://www.pantene.com/html/naturefusion/naturefusion.html
What do you think?

Jilayne75 wrote on Feb 25^th, 2009 at 9:30pm:

Besides that, I also bought this new shampoo that I'm gonna start using after I'm done my old stuff. Pantene Nature Fusion its called. Here's the link-http://www.pantene.com/html/naturefusion/naturefusion.html What do you think?

Looks interesting - it has cassia in it.  I don't think I've seen any other major brand shampoo/conditioner with cassia.  I just might have to try it.

Surprise, surprise...I have a bottle of Pantene Nature Fusion as well. The Moisture Balance formula. :) Haven't used it yet, but I plan on integrating it into my shampoo blends in the future. The ingredients look really gentle.  You'll have to tell me how it works out. :)

FYI BB, Herbal Essences used to make a formula that contained cassia as well.

I bought the moisture balance kind, too. I haven't tried it yet though.

Hi Jilayne75!  I'm new around here but just wanted to add my encouragement!  Your hair really is beautiful!  So thick and healthy, I'm jealous ;D  I know how you feel with the growing bangs deal.  I have bangs that are FINally chin length, but I have a ton of other layers I'm trying to work with too.  It's frustrating.  But it sounds like you've made tramendous progress and are finally over a huge hump of getting all your hair the same length.  You could always skip the trims if your hair doesn't need it.  Or do that S&D thing while watching tv:)  Good luck!