When I hear the phrase "shrinkage is real", I think of hair.

"Shrinkage is real" is a phrase basically meaning, that something is not being portrayed in its true, real form. (For the purpose of this blog I am referring to hair.) Black women have beautiful, beautiful hair. Our hair is so versatile, unique, and can be styled in 5002500600 different ways. I especially love natural hair. I could talk about hair all day, from products, lengths, hair types, colors, protective styles, (wigs, braids, dreadlocks, twists, etc) and more! I recently cut my hair off after being ready for a change and took the plunge, but we can talk about that at a later date. Recently when I have used the term "shrinkage is real" I have used it as a metaphor for my life and measuring my progress, goals, and accomplishments.

Speaking on my own experience, when I would get a blow out, my hair would be near my bra strap, which was my hair goal.

Soon as I would step out the salon humidity would smack the hell out of me and my bone straight hair, resulting in my roots shrinking! I remember being so frustrated because I just wanted to wear my natural hair straight and show the growth I've made toward my hair goals.

Another example is wash day, which is literally an all day task, like write it in your planner task. I would wash my hair and POOF, my hair would shrink into tight, very tight coils.

Wash day would have me feeling like I had no growth, like all the protective styles, non heat challenges, and twist outs were for what? I wanted to see my growth okay, even when I wore my hair curly.....like stretch please! Honestly, it took me quiet some time to truly love and embrace my hair in its natural state, but now I cannot imagine it any other way. Shrinkage is real and can be misleading, in more ways than just hair.

When I wasn't sure if my hair was really growing, I would get a blow out every 6 months to secretly prove to myself that there was growth. I began to use this metaphor in my life as well. When I would feel like I was making no progress professionally, personally, or any other area.

I would take a deep look at the past few months and would take a look at my progress. Doing so helped me realize that there has been progress made, big or small, and without taking the time to reflect I would have missed how I have grown in different areas of my life.

I also took the time of reflecting to set new goals for myself and learn from past habits and starting working on healthier more effective habits that would aid me in achieving my goals and getting to where I truly want to be.

You see shrinkage is very real ladies and gentlemen, it can be misleading and frustrating, but it is also be a time to strengthen your patience and discipline and realize that truly only you know how far you have come and establish what should remain, change, or be implemented into your life and routine to help you get to where you need to be on your journey.

Shrinkage is real, but it is good for you!

As always, work on becoming the best version of yourself, you are your only competition!

Shawnte' Knox

Owner, Soul Health Chronicles

www.soulhealthchronicles.com