Jan
18
2010
18
2010
Three Year Dreadiversary
Filed under: Dreadlocks, Simplifying
I have made it to the THREE year mark…that “magical” time when dreads come into their own. The rumored “three year bliss” does exist. My dreads are finally long enough, tight enough, wonderful enough to love fully every day.
This year has been a crazy one. Full of wonder and magical moments. Deep joy…and deep sorrow. Endings and beginnings.
It started out with us being back in Bozeman and living in a house.
We found an amazing midwife and friend.
We lived temporarily in Boulder, CO for 6 weeks.
Then, my brother almost died.
Then, my grandma died.
Lucy was born!
Family visited.
And more family visited.
We bought the Minnie Winnie.
We did some traveling and some more traveling.
We sold the Minnie Winnie.
We bought the Big Alpine.
Then, we sold everything AGAIN and went back on the road.
With TWO kids this time.
We explored Washington, Oregon, and California.
We flew back to Iowa.
We flew back to Montana.
We drove 15 hours back to Minnesota.
We flew back to the RV in California.
Whew!
And that was the year of 2009. All without the stress of doing my hair.
LOVE IT.
Yes, LOVE. I have not once regretted my decision to dread my hair. I really can’t imagine myself without them now. They’re just a part of my being.
Some observations in the third year:
- My washing/drying process hasn’t changed much. I still wash about once a week (every 2-3 days in the summer) with diluted Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap and rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar. I usually dry them a little bit to fluff them up. I will occasionally wash just my bangs mid-way through the week.
- Many of you have commented about the loose hair that I have in the front. It’s always been that way…they just never dreaded up, and I like them that way!
- I dye them blonde about every 3-4 months. I go to the Aveda training school in West Des Moines whenever we’re back in Iowa. The first time was pretty funny…they didn’t really know what to do with me and my crazy hair, but after they figured it out, it was fast and cheap! I love them blonde and I don’t really ever plan on dying them back to my natural color. I have been throwing around the idea of putting in some color on a few dreads…like purple. I love purple.
- My hair continues to be a spiritual journey for me. They have taught me about acceptance, change, contentment…and I continue to learn from them daily! I choose to be “set apart” from the norm of our culture…which parallels my walk with Jesus.
- I’ve been wearing them down a lot more now that they are longer and I like the versatility. I wore them back/up/under a bandana for 3 years and I paid those dues…it’s time to let them fly! I wear a rubber band around my wrist all the time though…I probably put them up and down 3-4 times a day depending on what I’m doing at the time.
- They still do their own thing. Some ends are looser than others. Some are super short, some are very long. Some are stick straight and others are like a winding country road. Some of the roots are loose and some are tight. And I like it that way. You cannot “tame” dreads, and that’s the beauty of it. I really don’t mess with them much except to wash them.
- Lucy loves my dreads. They are her built in toys and teether.
- I looove beads in my dreads. They make me happy.
- I have an incredibly supportive husband who loves my dreads.
- How long will I keep them? Forever I hope. When I am old, I shall wear purple…and DREADS!
In this third year of dreadiness, I have had the chance to meet up with more fun dready mamas. In Portland, I met up with Shauna and Monica. I love those beautiful, talented women! And of course Bethany and Jordan and Gillian in Eugene with their crazy amazing dreads.
In October, I was able to experience the “dready love fest”. I had the chance to visit Stephanie, “The Dread Goddess” at Akemi Salon in Portland (on far right in photo below). She did some much needed maintenance on my dreads…I recommend her HIGHLY! You can read about it on Denise’s blog here. For those of you just starting out and want to skip a lot of the craziness, she “crochets” dreads instead of just backcombing and they look great right from the beginning. It’s worth traveling to Portland to see her! Love love love.
When you have dreads and you are able to spend time in the presence of others who have dreads…especially other women, there is just something magical about it. There is such acceptance and love…it’s awesome. That’s why I love traveling so much…so I can find all of you!! Anyone up for a huge dready retreat somewhere where we can all be together? Hmmmmm….
Fast forward to right now…we are in San Diego, where we have spent time with the lovely Boho Girl, Denise and her family again. She took all of the amazing photos of my dreads. Thank you thank you thank you Denise…for making me feel beautiful!! We had a wonderful time communing and eating together…the time flew by too fast. She wrote about our time together on her blog here. If you aren’t reading her blog on a regular basis, you should be!
Here’s to another year of adventures…on the road, with dreadlocks!
If you are new to my blog, here are the links to:
Why I Have Dreadlocks
One Year Dreadiversary
Two Year Dreadiversary
My Dreadlock Journey – A Photo Gallery
Photos used with permission – by Denise Andrade – Boho Photography
Posted by Sara @ 11:42 pm | Leave a Comment
19
2010
Your dreads are gorgeous. I’m 6 months in to my dread journey and loving them too.
19
2010
You look so radiant in those photos! Just gorgeous! And purple would be an awesome color to incorporate.
19
2010
Love your dreadiversary post!! I have wanted dreads since 16 yo (now 24) an dthink this is the year I’m going to finally do it–husband is now on board, which I needed! I love your tips & pictures!
If you over-wash, do they dry out/make your scalp itchy? The reason I ask is because I like to work out everyday and can’t imagine washing my hair but once a week if I’m really sweaty 5 times a week!!
Sarah M
19
2010
Hey! I was introduced to your blog when I put on my facebook status that I was debating dreads. A friend of mine linked me to you! Your dread journey has been very interesting! I loved looking at your pics. Has there ever been a time when you hated them? I cant seem to make the decision, but at 25 I figure I’ve got some time!
I dont think I can cope with the beginning when it doesnt look right straight away. Plus Ive head all these horror stories.
Im ver intruiged about your friends crochet method but cannot find a blog post – can you help?
Thanks for a fab blog!
19
2010
Happy Happy Dreadiversary!
19
2010
Sarah…once you are past the initial month or so, I don’t think it’s a problem to wash them daily. It’s just a big pain for me because it takes about a day for them to dry. It hasn’t been a big deal when I’ve been working out…you can still shower every day, and your scalp isn’t a super sweaty part of your body
Lu…There has never been a time I hated them. But I went into it knowing that it was a journey and they weren’t going to look perfect. If you want them to be more “tame” from the beginning, you could get them crocheted (see Monica’s 2 day old dreads here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyjanssens/4287430686/in/set-72157623115759099/) or you could have synthetic or real hair extensions put in. Both of these methods will look “better”, but they won’t look perfect. Dreads are supposed to be messy and it’s a LONG, difficult journey if you want them as such. If you want dreads…just do it with no regrets. You can always comb them back out after the first couple of months. Although I always say that you need to commit to at least a year to really see how they will turn out on you. Good luck!
19
2010
BEAUTIFUL!
I have 1 dread in now. LOL Testing the waters to see if I want to commit…again.
19
2010
Wow you look beautiful! I loved seeing your list of all that has happened in those three years.
19
2010
These are just beautiful pictures Sara! And sigh….beautiful dreads.
And HOW DID I MISS the pictures of your NEW RV REMODEL????? Off to peek!!! And drool. And dream. And……
que Dios les bendiga mucho…
19
2010
Sara,
I love seeing your dread journey and love that each one is unique. I remember the first time I knew that I would have dreadlocks was at Cornerstone Festival 2007. So many other dreadies and I felt like I had found my people. Such an immediate kinship. I mortified my daughter by asking one person if I could touch her dreadlocks but I just had to feel that power, that strength. The woman was wonderful about it and said that she finds it very affirming when people touched her dreads. I now know what she means.
My family combed mine in March 2008 and it has been an all natural journey for me since then. Many of them came uncombed quickly, others stayed tightly knotted. There was no rhyme or reason. Something within me told me to let go, let it be, let them become and I would emerge with them. It has been so.
Now almost two years into the journey, I sometimes feel like they are a hot mess! Here is a post with a photo taken about four months ago: http://cynthiaclack.blogspot.com/2009/11/reality-of-my-dreadlocks-finally.html
Just this month, people have started commenting on my dreadlocks which means they look like dreads now, finally.
My maintenance is so minimal. I only wash with hot water, occasionally kicking it up with Dr. Bronners and ac vinegar rinse. My husband sorts through them about once a month to separate any pesky couples that should stay separate. I love it when he does that. He always kisses me and says, “I love your dreads”
I have learned so much about myself from taking this dread journey and the freedom from shampooing, styling and products has been wonderful! It is such a part of me now that I being dreadless would be like being armless or legless.
Grace and Peace
19
2010
Sara – those pictures of your RV model are FLAT OUT AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you have better storage and a bigger fridge than we’ve had since we moved to Mexico!
I am stunned. And coveting that option…hmmm…that furlough thing IS coming up….hmmm….
Congratulations, your home looks like a home, sweet home.
19
2010
Loving your dreads Sara! Mine have been in 6 months now, and some are beginning to lock up. I’ve enjoyed looking back over how yours have changed since you put them in – reassures me that mine will look that good one day! Polly x
19
2010
(((Oh sweet lovin Sunshine Mama)))
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful:) I was on the phone with my friend Lydia last night, who has been stricken with dread envy…I directed her to your blog and got to tell the story of finding you, meeting you, loving you, and all of it falling in time with me taking the dreadlock journey too! I love all the really cool God stuff, bringing people together, etc…:)You tell the story so beautifully~the story of being set apart….I tend to think of mine as roots, as I certainly need to be grounded!
My hair is locking up really tight, shrinking up a lot, the ends rounding out. It. is. crazy. and. I love. it. A little “Side Show Bob meets Bettlejuice” I am not doing anything to it except wash twice a week, and ripping the ones that want to be together apart(sounds so bad). Some of mine are flat, so I do palm roll *a little* when they are damp, but basically they are doing their own thing;)I do look forward to seeing the dreadlock goddess so she can work her maintenance magic….I wear them up when I’m out, mostly because of the length. I get LOTS of questions about the front of mine not being locked up too…
I am STILL IN TEXAS, But leaving this week! Maybe we can meet up on the road again? You guys taking the 5 to the 10? Then the hmmm…I dunno what road goes South from there…well anyway I am leaving Thurs, (come hell or high water as they say in TX) Let me know where you be along the way girl~
~Much love~
19
2010
Love love love. Happy birthday dreads! I so regret cutting mine off, they would be 2.5 by now. So I’m living through Sawyer’s dreads now!
xo
19
2010
Your dreads are beautiful. I have quite unruly hair (it gets wavier with each pregnancy) and have thought how nice it would be if I had the courage to have dreads.
I’ve really enjoyed following your adventures.
19
2010
ah – lovely dreads! You are looking more beautiful than ever
Seeing your 3 year mark REALLY makes me want to take the plunge. You are such an amazing woman and such an inspiration to so many! Keep Rockin’ the dreads… you make them look GOOD!
19
2010
I love your dreads, they are beautiful. I have never had dreads, darn DNA didn’t gift me with hair that would grow past my ears. I love the freedom aspect of them. Freedom to just get up and go, to not conform to society’s standard of “beauty” and hair styles. I also love your blog, thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.
19
2010
Thanks. The link didnt work but I managed to find the photo. They are fab! Perfection isnt something I’d aim for with them. I so want to do it but so dont! LOL Indecisive!
I want to grow my hair longer first. Then I’ll decide.
Happy 3 years! Thank-you for sharing!
19
2010
Beautiful! You are such a sparkle, I love reading your blog! Many blessings, and Happy 3 Years of Dreads!
19
2010
OMG! You and your friend have got to be two of the prettiest dready mamas I’ve ever seen!!! If I thought mine could turn out that awesome, I’d dread in a flash. Well, if I could convince dh that they’d turn out that awesome, that is, lol!
19
2010
Sarah, they look awesome! Congratulations!
I still think about dreading my hair, and part of me wants to do it. But the other part is chicken, because if I did do dread, I think I’d have to stop coloring my icky gray roots. I’m not courageous enough to quit with the hair dye yet.
Do you know of any dready women who can still color their hair or do they have to go completely natural? You said you did your locks, how did the colorist approach it?
19
2010
Renee, I still dye my roots, which are very gray. You can’t even tell really because the dreads turn all different colors anyway.
19
2010
Ooooh, Roblynn, I really appreciate the feedback from someone who can relate, thank you. Ok, this is it, no more excuses, time to grow ‘em!
19
2010
Beautiful!!! I am so intrigued by dreads, I must say I would love to try it, just not sure when or how. I can see just how much it really is about more than just hair, so maybe when the time feels right at a spiritual level, it will all come together for me. =) One can dream….
19
2010
Rene…you can color them just like normal hair. Super easy. Especially with dark hair. I would do mine at home if I had dark hair, but blonde is a little trickier.
19
2010
Sara, really? Cool! Wow, I wish I had asked you before I chopped my hair off! Well, now here’s a great excuse to grow it out again. Thank you so much, I just might finally go for it.
19
2010
Sara, you are so adorable! I love your heart, and your hair….lol!!
Beautiful beautiful! I love the idea of coloring them purple
Fantastical all the way!
More then anything, dreads and all, your love shines so bright
I don’t even know you in person, and the love of the Father radiates and shines so brightly through all you share! Beautiful!
19
2010
Sara… you’re gorgeous, and your dreads look absolutely amazing. 3 yrs already, wow!!
And can I just say I am drooling over your new RV. Love, love, love how you decorated it. I can feel how warm and inviting it is through a computer screen … that’s something! lol. My hubs will be out of the military soon, and we are absolutely considering a more gypsyesque way of life. The kids and I have had the itch since meeting and being inspired by you and Matt.
19
2010
Randall…that list of things happened ALL in this year
Not over the 3 years. Yes, It’s been a wild ride!
Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement…you make me feel so loved!
19
2010
Beautiful!! I love them!!
19
2010
I’m going send this to my friend who’s thinking about dreads. My hubby HATES dreads, so you’re lucky to have a supportive hubby.
19
2010
Congrats on making it to Third Year Bliss. I have less than 18 months until mine hit that easy place. I recently went thru such a horrible period where I was seriously regretting them. But I pushed thru and within a week or so they just “changed”. I’m glad I made it thru the hurdle and I can’t wait to see what comes.
19
2010
I love your dreads! I was very excited to find your blog, feeling all alone in my own dready world here in Costa Rica. Mine are one year old and I am just getting to really love them. My grandkids call me the grandma with the loca hair! Also on washing them, I use the dreadlock shampoo and wash about three or four times a week because I do triathlons and work out everyday also. Yours are very beautiful though!
19
2010
hi sara~
i love your website/blog!! i stumbled upon when searching for ‘westy’ sites. we bought a vw syncro this summer.
it was so crazy to read about your brother’s accident. i’m a nurse in er in boulder, and i was working that day. i’m so thrilled to hear what a amazing recovery he has had.
i just wanted you to know how much i enjoy your blog. i especially love the most recent posting. your dreads look so fantastic. i’m so envious!!
19
2010
yay! they look great!!!…is Bella wrapped up in a moby?
19
2010
Stephanie…it’s a Storchenweige wrap. She likes to play fashion show with it
19
2010
So beautiful! The girl and the dreads. Hung out with Natalie today…would have been twice as fun with you there too!
19
2010
Hi Sara
I just got dreads on Sat! I love them already. It’s hard to explain, but now that I have them, I can’t imagine not having them.
Thanks for posting your dread journey.
19
2010
ps…I’m getting purple in my hair for my birthday. Great minds:)
19
2010
Happy Dreadiversary Mama! They are looking great… can’t believe it’s been three years. You definitely inspired me to take the leap, and I love the memory of you doing mine! So great… so happy day and happy travels!
19
2010
Happy Dreadiversary! They look wonderful!
19
2010
Happy Dreadiversary!!!!!
Hay Sarita (saying it in Spanish =D )
You are a gem; a very radiant one.
I don’t know you but I love you already. I love how
you live your life, you’re so intense…love that about you.
Denise did such a wonderful job photographing you. She captured all your beauty. Sarita, eres muy linda. May the Lord bless you always, yes, till eternity.
Love,
Liliana♥
19
2010
Absolutely gorgeous, Sara. Way to stick with it!!
You’ve got a post idea running through my head now. Too much to write in a little comment.
You are awesome!
20
2010
Thanks and Happy dreadversary. I am just passing my two year ‘versary-love them and as a grandma on my first set, I totally plan on rawking grey dreads when they turn that way
About the elastic on the wrist-I did the same thing until I realized that I they were long enough that I could actually tie them up with themselves! That was a kewl day.
20
2010
Quick question for you? Is your purple shirt one of the ones that you got from One love Creations or Indigo Inspired? It is super cute and I love how comfy it looks!
20
2010
I remember when you first did them! You look fabulous, and I love that they are blonde.
Steph
20
2010
Oh Sara…so stunning! Love, love, love your dreadies. Happy Dread Anniversary!!! I miss mine terribly…after three months of headaches everytime I would pull them back…*sigh* they had to go. Does the texture get softer through the years? The children and I used to love playing with them…but we had never actually touched someone’s mature dreads…just curious!
20
2010
Beautiful! I lasted about 6 months. I went dready to build patience…and I learned that I am not patient at being patient!
20
2010
They look fantastic! I just had my 3 yr. dreadiversary this past Sept. I’m coming up on 3 1/2 years in March. When I was reading about what you’ve learned through your journey, it mirrored what I’ve learned through mine.
I love my blond dreads, too, and don’t ever plan on going back to brown again, either.
The hair in the front of my scalp has never dreaded either.
20
2010
I just happened upon your blog and I am so happy I did! Your story about why you chose dreads and how it has changed your walk with Jesus is absolutely beautiful! Congrats on the 3 year anniversary, I will definitly be continuing to read about your life stories!
Have a great week!
Cristin
22
2010
Sara, congratulations on your dreads’ three-year anniversary. I love the photos that Denise took of you – your dreads really are spectacular. I had a look at your dread set on Flickr and you look so much more beautiful with your hair dreaded and that lovely blonde colour than you did before you started your dread journey. You look really happy and comfortable with yourself.
My dreads are one year and one month old. I’m doing it the hard way – natural dreads. And it is hard, but I’m loving the journey.
23
2010
you know, i must say, i really enjoyed this post. very awesome indeed
23
2010
hey sara! your dreads look great and your confidence is so inspiring. i find that the more confident i became with my locks, the more positive energy i got from others as well (or maybe after 5 years i am just immune to weird looks)! =)
i am curious about how your stylist dyes yours at the aveda school. my locks are dark brown and i think blonde would be fun for a change…but have reservations about harsh chemical processing. yours look so healthy. any tips?