My Dreading Journey: One Year of Dreadlocks (Pictures)

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Hello Otherbeasties! I know many of you have been waiting for this update to arrive and so here it is... time to talk about my dreadlocks being a year old! Back in June/July they celebrated their first birthday, so now officially in August I can post about it, no more waiting! So without further ado:

My Dreading Journey: One Year of Dreadlocks

Left: Just showcasing a quick tied back style for when I start doing yardwork or it's hot outside. 

Right: Loose and in the sunlight. :)







Time really flew for me, if you'll remember my reason for dreading my hair was a commitment to becoming healthier, growing spiritually, and being a happier person. The journey is far from over... but the amount of personal growth in the last year was astonishing. I fully believe dreads really do something magical to people.

 They still like to do some crazy stuff, but mainly they're pretty well behaved for only one year old.









So, since putting my dreads in over a a year ago I've started eating clean - no processed anything - and started doing yoga or walking everyday, and because of those things I have lost a total of 60 pounds. Yeah. Don't believe me? Go back and look at the very first blog entry about my dreads: My Dreading Journey Part 1. 

 From the front and from the back.












Anyway! Thought I'd give you all an update with pictures! Ready? Okay. Well for starters they had shortened up quite a bit in between 6 months and now, but in the last couple months I've seen some length coming back. In fact my dreads now reach the bottoms of my shoulder blades.




 Just a little lefty and righty shot of the two different sides.












They've gotten wilder, crazier, loopier, nuttier, and more a part of who I really am. Anecdotal: I was just up in Austin visiting my family and friends when I decided to pop in on one of my best friends whom I've known since high school. When she saw me her face lit up and she said, "You found your hair!" That right there has been one of the coolest things ever said to me. I love her. <3


 In the shade versus in sunlight, as you can see my dreads are happy, healthy, clean, and shiny. :)

P.S. The reason they're two-toned is because I used to dye my hair and now it's growing out... so, it may look weird but I still love it.




Almost everywhere I go, I have at least one person complimenting me on them, asking me how I did it, as well as asking me if they're real. It's quite funny and I don't mind it in the least. I've become a happier person, a healthier person, and I love my dreads. Sure I miss being able to comb my hair and sometimes I glance longingly at women that walk by with silky smooth tresses, but right now this is me. Maybe I'll have my original silky straight hair back eventually - but right now, this very moment - this is me. And I'm happy.

Right: Just an up-close of several dreads.
Left: Two that I "love-hate" right now. Damn bumps.


 The real part? Well, I must separate my dreads during every shower because they like to stick together and start forming a monster dreadlock, but that's a sign of healthy dreadlocks. I also only use natural soaps on my dreads, meaning the good stuff made with lye and plant tallow, essential oils, and not much else. I really recommend Zum Bar Soaps from www.indigowild.com. They're fantastic and come in great scents like Lavender-Mint, Cedar, and Citus-Sandalwood.




Right now this is one of my favorite dreadlocks because it started out as a braid and has developed a sort of herringbone-like look to it, so I call it my Red Herring.

I also have this annoying genetically-inherited part in my hair at the back of my head that screams, "Look at me. Look. At. Me... LOOK AT ME!" So, I'm debating on how to disguise it... maybe by merging two dreads together. 

See it? I know you see it. Right there. It's shouting at you to stare at it, isn't it? 

This guy is absurd. It's literally a bubble of hair on the side of my dread... like a growth.
"It's not a tumor."

 Here's my Big Fatty. He hasn't changed much, other than entering his teen years and starting to lump and bump here and there. Whippersnapper.







Anyway, I'm not sure what kind of pictures you guys would like to see, or what angles, but feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer questions or snap photos that showcase certain features of my dreads.

So, there you have it. Dreadlocks at one year old! Thanks for reading Otherbeasties!

Until Next Time,
<3 Shade








My Etsy Shop (Wings and Things by D&D Studios) is full of Handmade Dreadlock Beads and Cuffs! Made by a Dreadie for Dreadies. <3


Other Blog Posts About My Personal Dreadlock Journey:

•  My Dreading Journey: One Year of Dreadlocks

• Two Years with Dreadlocks (PICTURES)

• Why I Decided to Dread My Hair

• My Dreading Journey Part 1

• My Dreading Journey Part 2

• Dreading Journey Part 3: 3 Months

• The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

• 20 Little Unknown Things About Having Dreadlocks

• Dreading Journey Part 4: 6 Months (Pictures) 

Diamonds

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Diamonds

Start loving yourself regardless of whatever "flaws" you may think you have.

For instance: the true hallmark of a real diamond are inclusions or "flaws," (which is just a negative way of saying "characteristics") and without those flaws that diamond would just appear fake and transparent much like an imitation diamond; however like a real, honest-to-goodness, from-the-earth diamond the brilliance of your character will outshine any major flaws and all anyone will ever see is something beautiful. <3

Unless you get thrown under a microscope. Then your flaws become glaringly obvious.

So maybe we should avoid scrutinizing the people we love because really - even if you know the flaws are still there - that doesn't change the fact that it's still a diamond.

Until Next Time,
<3 Shade

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Challenge Completed! (Pictures)

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Okay, I just finished Day 30 of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I have results and I have pictures. Since I'm already eating clean, I ignored the diet program and continued on my merry Primal/Paleo way. Wanna see how I did? Read on.

I'm not gonna lie, Jillian is a tough trainer, even at home through a screen; more amazingly, she actually motivates me the way I need motivating. Even better than that? She uses mainly resistance training in the 30 Day Shred series, which is fabulous. She kicked my butt every single day, and I'm a former athlete - granted I've been out of practice for the past few years - but even on the last day I was dripping with sweat and breathing heavy; but the exercise itself isn't that hard, it's actually pretty easy... which is great for anyone looking to break back into fitness or if you're a beginner.

Pictures:

Conclusion: Am I shredded? Hell yeah... underneath the rest of this blubber I need to lose. It didn't give me the exact results I wanted but it did give me *some* results, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. Have I still got a ways to go? Undoubtedly. Am I gonna keep going? Yes.

Soon.

Oh yeah. There's also this:

That's 5 weeks of yoga right there. Gonna keep doing yoga, yes, it was the JM's Yoga Shred.

In fact, I believe I'll try the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution next. We'll see how it goes from there. Either way, the beast is gonna get loosed soon! Watch out. Fitness Beast Mode, here I come...
Ready or not.

Until Next Time,

<3 Shade