A few days ago I was looking for natural hair care blogs. I found a few but I found more locked hair blogs than blogs of natural wearers whose hair is not locked. I started thinking about this. Why is it that locking seems to be such a huge thing now, even more so than when I was locked six years ago? I settled on two reasons.

Reason number one: more and more black women are deciding that going natural is much better than subjecting their hair to chemical processes. They feel that locking is a proven way of going natural, especially since you can start some locks with relaxed ends.

Reason number two: having locks gives consistency, normalcy, and provides community in a some what larger degree than having plain natural hair.

Now, I have plain, unlocked natural hair. I like my plain unlocked natural hair. But I will admit that sometime figuring out what to do with it can be overwhelming, even for a person who knows how to do almost any natural style with and without extensions.

The beauty of natural hair is that it gives us lots of choices. The trouble with natural hair is that it gives us lots of choices. That is the problem; sometimes I feel that I have too many choices. I believe that the draw of locks is that you make a decision. For the most part there is no turning back so you are free to enjoy the decision that you have made. Whereas when you wear your hair natural you are always having to figure out what to do with your hair next. There are so many options out there. This is especially hard when it comes to special occasions or working in jobs where creative hairstyles are not the norm.

But with locks you know how your hair is going to behave. You know what to expect. You can get a list of a few styles that you know will look good on you. The choices are more like the choices that you have to make when you have relaxed hair. Natural hair gives you options but I believe that a lot of natural wearers get over whelmed by all of their options.

I decide to research this “paradox of choice” and found that there was actually a book written on this subject. It is called The Paradox of Choices: Why Less is More by Barry Schwartz. He is writing about choices as it comes to commerce but what he says can apply to our day to day choices as well. You can read excerpts of it on Google books . I found an interview that he did and found that may of his observations about choice shed light on why many natural hair wearers either give up or get locks.

Here are a few excerpts from that interview you can read the whole thing here.

Q - What is the “paradox of choice”?

Everyone agrees that having choice is better than not having choice. It seems evident that if choice is good, then more choice is better. The paradox is that this “obvious” truth isn’t true. It turns out that a point can be reached where, with more choice, people are worse off.People can’t ignore options - they have to pay attention to them. If they make a choice, is there another choice would have been better? There’s more effort put into making decisions, and less in enjoying them. What’s nagging is the possibility that, if they had chosen differently, they could have gotten something better.

Q - What about outside consumer goods?

Some social science research says that one consequence of leaving your options open is that people are less satisfied with their decisions; if a decision is non-reversible, you’ll make yourself feel better about the choice you made. If it’s a reversible choice, you don’t do that. You don’t bring your romantic partner “back to the store,” but because you might, you don’t convince yourself that she’s the love of your life. If people know they can undo their choices, they get less satisfaction out of them. People want to keep their options open. And that’s not the road to happiness.

Now you are probably wonder if I am say that everyone should go out and get locks. No I like locks but that is not what I think. I think that if you are feeling frustrated or overwhelmed with your hair you should try to narrow your choices. Instead of wearing natural braids a few days, twists a few more and then a puff, why not pick one type of natural style and experiment with variations on it?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the natural styling options? What did you do? If you are natural have you considered locks to narrow your options and broaden your style possibilities? If you are locked, have you found yourself more liberated by your decision?

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One choice, many options
written by tia245, June 04, 2008

Hello. In 2002, I thought I was ready to loc my hair, but decided I'd rather keep my styling options open. I have been 100% natural for 3 years now. It is a daily challenge taking care of my hair and time consuming.

At least once a day I think of cutting my hair to a manageable length,(it reaches my shoulder now) but it's so beautiful, unruly and versatile. I don't get overwhelmed by all the style options, I rejoice! I wear my hair in 2 strand twists most of the time because, it's quick & easy for me to do myself . From this one style, I can get 4 different styles in a week. 2 strand twists on Monday and Tuesday, twistout on Wednesday, Thursday, pull back with a beautiful headband or scarf into a twistout puff and Friday a picked out afro or spritz and let my kinks and coils take my hair back to a densely coiled afro. Locs are beautiful but my hair is more versatile. I do think that locs are hands down the best way to wear your natural hair long if you have constraints on time.

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Staying Natural
written by lionelsqueen, June 05, 2008

I've been natural for 6 months. I tried to start locks 2 months ago, but decieded to try and work with my hair in its natural state.

I do braid outs and the puff with large rubber bands and scarfs. I love it. I feel powerfull because after 40 years of on and off perms, jeri-curls, weaves etc., I'm comfortable in styling my hair naturally.

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written by AmyM, June 05, 2008

Hi Tia,

I can totally feel you on wanting to do the big chop now and then. But I don\'t give in because there really is a lot that you can do.

I agree that when you hair starts to get longer locks can be tempting but I had a roommate in college who had just shy of butt length all natural hair.

She would have a time when it came time to wash and re-twist (she wore it in two strand twists) but when it was done it was magnificent. She never wore a full \'fro in public but it was amazing to see it all out when we were at home.

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written by AmyM, June 05, 2008

Hi lionelsqueen,

It is amazing how what we do on the outside can impact how we feel on the inside.

Hopefully as more of us step out and say our hair is beautiful just the way it is, other will be empowered to do the same.

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written by Ruciinip, June 11, 2008

I've been natural since September of 2007, I didn't realize it has been so long. Anyway this is the second time that I've gone natural within the last five years. The last time I because frustrated with my hair and had it relaxed. This time for some reason I feel that I owe myself the opportunity and experience of leaving it alone. My hair is very coily like the spring inside of an ink pen, most often I wear the "fro" with an elastic headband around it. I just wanted to offer support the the newbies out there or the ones who are feeling weak. Just hang in there you are worth it. And remember when you were at the salon watching somebody get that full afro weave and they paid $200 to $300, yours is au natural, so work it.
peace

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written by AmyM, June 11, 2008

Hi Ruciinip,

I have done the same thing. But you are right I think that for most people once they have gotten a taste of what it is like to enjoy their own hair they inevitably end up coming back.

Were happy that you decided to try again.

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What to do?
written by Barbara, June 23, 2008

I have been going natural since October 2007 and I have no idea what to do with my hair. I have been getting it pressed, knotted, curled, and braided. If anybody can give me some advice. I will greatly appreciate it.

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