We all make mistakes, but what if cutting your locs is one of them? If so, you’ll find that you regret cutting your locs.
Sometimes we just have to make a change. From a new city to a new job and even a new hairstyle. But what if that new hairstyle involves cutting your locs? Cutting your locs, can be a positive change, but many may regret cutting their locs.
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It’s “Just” Hair
For many, cutting your locs is a big deal. Thus, feeling regret over cutting your locs is an even bigger one. However, some people say “it’s just hair” and “it’ll grow back.” They are not wrong about it growing back, but hair is often more than “just hair.”
There is so much history in the reason why people wear their hair the way they do. The Himba tribe use ‘otjize’ paste on their hair and skin, which “symbolizes both blood, the essence of life, and the earth’s rich red colour.”
In the book, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America, author Lori Tharps talks of the rich history and meaning of Black hairstyles from 15th century Africa to present day North America. One such meaning includes this:
“Because the hair is the closest thing to the heavens, communication from the gods and spirits was thought to pass through the hair to get to the soul.”
Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America
For locs particularly, there is its own history as well. From the Fula and Wolof warrior tribes of West Africa to Rastafarianism, it is clear locs have always been more than just a hairstyle.
Even for those, who view it as just a hairstyle, it is impossible to separate the cultural and historical significance of locs. In the U.S., it’s not even a protected right to wear locs to work in every state. There can be a stigma from friends, family, strangers and coworkers about locs being “dirty” and people who wear them being from a “lower class”. These stigmas have their roots in racism and the perpetuation of European beauty standards.
For women, hair is a symbol of femininity. Having particular hairstyles influences how others see you and very often, how you see yourself.
Aside from socioeconomic, political and cultural history, there are very real attachments we form with our hair. We’re used to seeing ourselves everyday with our current hair. Even those that don’t think their hair has meaning to them can be taken off guard on how they feel after they cut it.
Reflect back
Why You Cut Your Locs
For those that feel regret about cutting your locs, think back on why you cut your locs in the first place. Were you feeling bored with them? Perhaps you were feeling back/shoulder pain from the weight of long locs. Or maybe there was a difficult life event that you wanted a physical demarcation of a reset.
Another common reason people end their loc journeys or cut their locs is due to issues with them – from matted locs to itchy scalps/buildup. Once you find your reason(s), the next thing to do is figure out why you feel regret.
Why you regret cutting your locs
For some – the reason they feel regret may feel or be obvious. Perhaps you went to a hairdresser and they were supposed to trim your locs, but instead, hacked off 6 inches. For others, the length was exactly what they thought they desired, but they still feel regret. What is it for you?
If you are unsure, just try to sit with the feeling when you see your locs.
Do you feel a sense of fear? A nostalgia for what you once had? Do you feel unattractive?
You may feel all, some, or none of these things. For those feeling regret, it is important to try and find the source of it. For example, maybe the feeling of unattractiveness is tied up in traditional beauty standards where length = beauty and femininity. Or perhaps, whenever you make a big change you always feel regretful. That is important information for what you’ll do next and handle the regret.
Being okay in the now
Feelings of regret can be intense. There are things you can do to be okay with your current hair length, even if you decide you want to regrow it out.
Stop looking in the mirror
Take a break from looking in the mirror. Sometimes, stopping from obsessing over the feeling of regret (which can be triggered when you look at yourself), can help you recenter yourself.
Do activities that make you feel good
While there are some benefits from regret, it overall is an intensely uncomfortable feeling. Take a break from the bad, and focus on the things that make you feel good or refreshed. Do something fun with friends/family. Maybe even try and reach a goal you had set for yourself. Putting yourself in a better frame of mind is helpful for making better decisions.
Inspo pics at your hair length
Now you’re ready for some hair related tips! the first one is to look at photos of those with your new locs or hair length. Sometimes, reframing the situation helps you feel better. Thus, looking at new styles or perspectives from others in your scenario can help you feel more confident with your hair. Perhaps updos, hair wraps or pinned styles are what you need to feel good with your hair length?
Know that things can change
Feeling okay in the now is an important step for clearing your mind on what to do next. Otherwise, you might make rash decisions that make you even unhappier.
What do you want and need moving forward
While it’s cliche to say, what you want and need are two different things. However this distinction is important for continuing (or not) your locs journey.
For example, you may want micro locs, but you find upkeep of it to be too much. Read this article about loc sizes to get an idea of the pros and cons of different loc sizes. Perhaps combining your short(er) locs is what you need for a successful/happy journey.
Maybe you exercise a lot, but also love the look of a fresh retwist. In that case, you’ll likely need to wash and retwist your locs more often. Are you okay with that?
Do you like your long locs, but miss the versatility? There is no shortage of styles you can do to give the appearance of shorter locs, thus maybe growing out your locs again is the best option.
Sometimes people cut their locs shorter when their lifestyles + preferences dictate that not having locs (or a different kind of locs) is actually preferable.
Growing out your locs
Sometimes the regret you feel from cutting your locs is actually a sign you should regrow your locs. We all know that takes time. Thus, here are some options for those who don’t want to wait.
- Loc extensions – you can always go to a loctician to see about adding loc extensions to get instant length.
- Reattach locs – if you saved your locs you cut out, you can have them reattached as well.
- Wigs – there are a lot of wig options to try over your locs to give the appearance of long hair while you wait for yours to grow.
- Braid extensions – if you look to Chloe Bailey, you’ll know there is absolutely no shortage of braided styles you can do over your locs to show length.
Those are 4 ideas you can do to either get instant length or cover your locs while you wait for it to grow to a length you feel more comfortable with styling.
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Thanks as always for stopping by! Dealing with feelings of regret can be overwhelming. Especially for overthinkers (unfortunately I am one of them too). In fact, I find I am more likely to regret when I overthink the decision! If you’re like that as well, then you are even more likely to feel regret over cutting your locs. – even if it is the right decision for you. However, if you find that you actually did make a mistake cutting your locs, remember you still have options.
