Why do you have dreadlocks?

[grassman]

I'd like to hear everyone's special reasons, stories or inspirations to having locks.

What made you start and/or is it a specific person or band (or several) that made you want them. Or if maybe there's no reason like they just started knotting accidently & you let them go from there.

Even if you don't have dreadlocks you can explain why you like or would want them.

[mj]

Nice question! Well firstly dreads look too dope! I've always loved braids and have been making pencil braids since I was like 8, but dreads are the ultimate! Guess my main reason for locking up again this soon is because straight, silky long hair is a huge pain to maintain...brushing alone gets me frustrated, my hair just wants to tangle and dread! No more waking up having to spend an hour combing out bird's nests...

[espresso]

When I had my first set as a teenager I didn't even know dreadlocks were a thing, never seen it or heard of it (it was before internet) I just loved the craziness and let my hair do it's thing.... combed them out again when I thought it was time to grow up, but promised my husband I'd do it again before I got too old (stupid thing to say... impossible to be too old for dreadlocks)
Anyways... I got sick a couple of years ago, and it looked like all of my hair was going to fall of... I thought it had to be now or never and decided to lock up again...
Luckily I got to keep my hair, and I'm loving my locks..
Strange how facing difficulties often forces us to evaluate what matters in life... I have realized these last couple of years that meeting the expectations of society really becomes rather unimportant when looking at the big picture. Guess I can sort of say I am finding myself by facing the fear of loosing myself. The hair is just a minor part of that journey, but I love the fact that my hair is cool every morning when I wake up... so I guess I'll keep them for a long time:)

[jxbx]

I wanted my hair to go long in 1987, but unfortunately my curls go out as far as down so I can a huge curl ball going. This first set, I just let go and finger-combed but eventually the tight curls turned to dreads and I was on my way...hehe. It was more by mistake than intentional, but I just let it ride when I was getting the long hair I wanted.

[dave]

I'd never even heard anything about them or really noticed them - but one day I was annoyed at having to cut my hair all the time, and hated it wether it was long or short.

One day my best friend/roommate said I should get them, and that was that xD

They've done so much for my confidence and self image, helping me get over SA (or at least helping it a bit) and whatnot. They were technically the start of a new me, that keeps improving

[Deleted]

Cool question man. Hmmmm.. let's see. I'd seen dreadlocks for the first time as a kid on Bob Marley so I always associated dreads with a message of peace, love and unity. As I got older other musicians were sporting some groovy locks like that chick from 4 Non Blondes, Rage Against the Machine and NIN just to name a few. I loved the way they looked. Then as I got older I would see them on people at music festivals. I adored them and wanted a set of my own, but being in the Southern US I was afraid to take the plunge. It wasn't until 2014 that I decided to do so. I had my hair close to mid back length and put them in, but ended up fuckin them up with a crochet hook. I was obsessed with making them tidy and didn't do the proper research. After losing 15 dreads from breakage, I brushed them out and had to cut my hair to make it even. February 2016 they were long enough to start the mission again, but this time I was more educated on the process thanks to the DT website. (I LOVE THIS SITE ♡♡)
I put them in and won't let a crochet hook anywhere near my babies. Ha. I have to say that growing locks has taught me patience and helped me to just let go and not care what others think about me. A definite confidence boost. They give me something to look forward to as they are always changing. I doubt I'll ever let them go now that I have them.

[missyannie]

I hated my hair - it's really thick and a pain to brush and wash all the time. Plus, I'm not sure why, I had a hard time washing my hair properly as a kid. The back of my head would always look greasy no matter how much I tried. My mom was embarrassed by it and I really really tried to wash my hair properly. Obviously as i grew up i figured it out. But my hair just lived in a ponytail most of the time, i even slept in a ponytail.
I can't remember how i came across natural dreads but i just felt like this is how my hair was always supposed to be because i hate doing things with my hair so just letting my hair do it's thing seemed great.
And it was - and is! I actually got excited to see knots forming. I'm two years in and any time i think about taking them out I'm like: oh yeah, back to the ponytail, that'll be good.
lol.

[grassman]

Way back before I was a teenager I thought anyone that had dreads just looked so damn awesome! My mom would never had allowed me to have them though. I think musicians have been the biggest influence for me wanting to have them. I almost started them around 10 years ago & wish that I had so I could have lived through my 20's with them. I don't know why it took me so long but at least I did start them finally in my early 30's. Better late than never!

Even though I could list tons of people for being responsible for my love of the hairstyle, I'd say the singer of In Flames is one of the top. I got a live dvd of them 10 years ago & thought it was the coolest looking thing ever with his dreads whipping around the entire show. Looking at everyones timelines here also gets me super pumped for having them so thanks to all for contributing your pics! I'm so happy to look like this!

[fizzypop]

I have coarse, curly, and frizzy hair naturally. On a day to day basis it was a lot of upkeep to make them look nice. I was always having to add in oils and condition every single day. I couldn't go a day without washing my hair because sleeping on my hair looked awful. Just became this mess so either I straightened them, curled them in the morning, or I washed my hair every day. All the upkeep and styling I guess took a toll I decided for one week to just not do anything with them. My hair began to knot up and I just kind of decided I was going to try it out. Now here I am two months later and loving it. No more hassle just a simple wash every few days and I'm good to go.

[mj]

Oh yes forgot to mention two of our rugby players inspired the actual decision to lock up in December, wanted to hold out a bit longer but couldn't anymore, lol.

Plus Zach dela Rocha of RATM always had an enviable head of hair, his dreads just adding to the stagergy...

[arose]

I had my "come to Jesus" moment last summer, and shortly after that my locks began. I didn't think the events were directly related at first, but as time has gone on and I've lived with them a bit, I realize that they totally are. I've always admired dreads on others, but never thought to do it myself until then. I liked the challenge of committing to something which required a long process, with great reward as time goes on. As my faith matures, so do my dreads. Slowly! That's for sure. I wrestle with myself and my hair, but when I learn to let go, and let them be, I am happier. I am more fulfilled. I am more myself! My hair is definitely slow to dread, and I have never been a very patient person. I guess this is just one small part of the big picture way that God is teaching me patience. That's what I tell myself anyway when they frustrate me...

[Amishcandy]

I actually wanted to start them last summer but was married to a very controlling man, well.... as the time passed, the marriage ended and I begun to find out who I really am that's when I realized I'm starting a new life sooo why not start my dreadies... the more I grow the more they grow.. my kids think I'm loosing my mind but they are young lol

[acidburn]

I decided to give up on "vanity" and the stereotypical look of society. Stoped shaving/cutting/combing my beard/head. This swamp monster look helps weed out the judgemental people that you don't need in life. 🙈🙉🙊

[Deleted]

I have locs as a way to further embrace myself inside and out. I used to want to fit in and follow yet the trends never seemed to fit ME. My hair was always too thick or wouldn't lay flat and there was always breakage or the struggle to make it straight. After graduating high school and joining (then years later exiting) the Army where I had learned that I am an enigma and I shouldn't be afraid of that. I left the braids and chemicals behind and went au natural once my first child was born. But still things didn't scream Yea this style is me! So finally after tons of research and some scrutiny I began my dreads during my second pregnancy a year and a half later. I went through with the big chop and now me and my dreads are nine months on this journey. Not to mention that I take mommy business uber serious and like many don't have much time to myself which means no time to do anything with my thick hair which is bad for it. So dreading it up was by far the best choice.

[red333]

Good question! One, to teach myself patience! Two, I have always just been drawn to them and knew one day I would have them I know it may sound silly but it just feels right.