Two years ago, I would not have cut my hair for any amount of money or any object in the world. But last year, I went to Amsterdam in search of the meaning of life and everything pertaining to it, and at some point I found myself watching at least 50 Youtube videos a day about: "how to go natural".

I immediately wanted to do it, but I wasn't sure what my curl pattern would be, if I would like it and what I would do if it wasn't "curly enough" for me.

I had seen so many beautiful girls with long tresses of full and luscious curls and I wanted to be one of them, minus the growing pains and the maintenance of course.

I gradually cut my hair from shoulder-length to ear-length and in January 2015, I said what the heck with it, I'm taking it all off!

The transition lifestyle was just not for me and I went to the hairdresser to have a tapered cut done.

When I came out of the hairdresser that day I felt terrible. The cut did not look the way I wanted it to and it was even shorter than I had expected.

I was with 2 friends on the day so I had to pull myself toward myself and put whatever I was feeling in my pocket. I cried for a solid hour and then I celebrated the new me.

I knew that I had to be fierce and confident to pull off my new look and I also knew that my hair would grow back. It's now 6 months later and I am enjoying every month of development and I try my best to make sure that my hair is always healthy by doing treatments and following a regimen that works well.

Sometimes I wish that I could just make a bun and do different things with my hair that I previously could, but I know that ever since I cut my hair I gained self understanding that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I love my natural coily hair. My hair is my crown and as it grows longer I get even more excited about the possibilities. My natural hair is what makes me remember that life is all about how you do what you do, so just always do you.

Goodbye dry, brittle and thin, relaxed hair. Hello healthy, strong and coily natural hair!

My main concern is how to treat my hair when it's dry. I've been having quite a dry "patch" and I'm not always sure whether I should moisturise more or wash more.

I also hardly ever do protective styling, my hair is short, so I am concerned about the damage that could be caused by always wearing my hair "out".

This article was a reader's response to Natural hair care 101: the basics of going natural

WIN!

Do you have an ‘I went natural’ story? Or maybe any hair issues you want to share? Email us and you could WIN a fabulous ORS natural hair hamper!

For more on hair care: 

DIY: How to get blue hair on a budget

10 celebs who look even better with short hair

Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.