Taking accountability after the burn
There’s a strange peace that settles in once the pain finally fades. When my scalp stopped throbbing and the sores turned to new skin, what I felt wasn’t just relief—it was realization. I did this to myself.
Not out of stupidity, but from old patterns. Wanting to look “neat.” Wanting approval. Forgetting that my natural texture never needed fixing. That kind of truth burns deeper than any chemical.
Healing began the moment I stopped outsourcing my care. I nursed my scalp with Protein Pouf’s Batana Oil—(use my code to save: LLPP10) thick, earthy, and rich enough to rebuild what I’d stripped away. And when the anxiety crept in—the regret, the what-ifs—I’d click open my own Pure Scentsation™ Zen Lala Cuticle Oil Pen, breathe in the lavender and honey, and let it calm my nerves instead of my scalp.
Accountability isn’t punishment—it’s power. It’s looking at the damage, owning it, and deciding: never again. No stylist gets near my crown unless he’s steady-handed, bearded, and trustworthy—and until then, these hands will do just fine.
Moving forward means listening deeper. My hair told me everything; I just had to start believing her.
Every scab taught me something about silence—about how long I’ll sit in pain before admitting I caused it. But healing cracked something open: a kind of honesty I can’t unhear. I used to chase perfection like it would buy me peace. Now, I know peace is what grows when you stop betraying yourself.
The mirror doesn’t intimidate me anymore. My reflection isn’t begging for approval—it’s waiting for consistency. For softness. For me to finally show up and stay.
And I will. Even if the journey back to myself is slow, even if it’s tender. Because this time, I’m not covering my crown—I’m honoring it. I’m trusting the woman under the hair to keep her promises. That’s what real healing looks like.
Now I’ll ask you—
When was the last time you took accountability for something that hurt you… and turned it into power instead of shame?
When Pretty Hurts 
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