Disappointment can be stressful, especially when you think you are doing everything you can to get a certain result but instead you end up not meeting your goals. It is almost like a science experiment, if you do this this and this, you should get this, no brainer right?
The only problem is the result is nothing like what you expect or even want and then disappointment ensues. Hair growth is a funny thing, I would be lying to you if I said it was totally predictable. The truth is, it can be very unpredictable especially even if you are a healthy person and you pay attention to how your hair behaves.
Of course your hair is always growing but if that is the case, why are you not meeting your goals? The problem is length retention, and your retention rate is a direct result of how you take care of your hair.
This is a good thing, because at least you know that it is something that is completely in your control, all you have to do is figure out the tweaks.
So is this tough love? Yes, a little bit, because if you set a length goal for yourself and you did not meet it, there is no time for disappointment even though we get it, we are only human after all.
The goal here is to get you to the point of getting over disappointment as fast as you can so that you can get back to achieving your goals. With that said here are 5 ways to deal with the pain (wink) of not meeting your hair goals.
1. Comparing your hair with others instead of comparing it with itself
The worst thing you can do is start on a comparison tirade. Nowadays social media can be our best friend and worse enemy all wrapped up in a pink bow.
I mention social media because typically online is where comparisons begin. We all do it, we all have our hair crushes that we follow daily.
When we look at other women online with hair down to there taking selfies all day long it is not easy to process your own situation especially if we are intuitively always making comparisons.
Making comparisons does not help your situation but it does prolong your own progress. If you must make comparisons you should be doing it with your own hair looking at where you are now versus a period in the past. By looking at past pictures of your hair you can come up with some real conclusions on what’s changed, and what can be done better.
Do not waste your time comparing your hair to others, especially people who are not in your shoes.
2. Having unachievable goals
Did you know that often disappointment comes because we actually set ourselves up for it. Not many of us can get to waist length from shoulder length in a year. I know I can’t!
Goals need to be achievable in order to ensure that you are not disappointed. Even if your goal isn’t as challenging as it could be at least it is realistic and you can actually surpass it.
Meeting goals always gives you the boost you need to continue to be disciplined in your regimen and lets you know that indeed what you are doing is working.
3. Not dealing with setbacks immediately
When you have a set back you cannot play around with it because setbacks only get worse when not handled immediately.
In other words if you recently experience heat damage which has caused the ends of your hair to split and become very dry and brittle, you have to trim your hair immediately.
Yes this will change things especially with regards to length goals but if you leave your hair in a state of damage, much like a wild fire, it will spread leading to even more damage by the time you get around to fixing it. Deal with your setbacks swiftly.
4. Not tracking your progress carefully
If you don’t know where you are now then you don’t know how to get to where you want to be and that is a fact. Be honest with yourself about where you are in your journey so that you can do some real tracking.
If you do length checks try to do it in the same manner every time and at the same time of the month if you are tracking monthly.
Another thing you need to do is clearly define what progression is for you, is it just longer hair? Is it thicker healthier hair? Or is it both? Once you define that for yourself, you need to know what that looks like for your hair so that you know when you have met your goals.
5. Not having a clear plan to get to your goals and not following through
Girl if you do not have a plan then do not be surprised when disappointment comes along. Your plan needs to clear and simple so that you can follow through on it, week to week.
It does help to write things down if you need to so put pen to paper and write down your plan. Pick your products, outline your regimen, and make sure your plan is very achievable based on your lifestyle.
Getting over disappointment is not easy but it must be done, we hope these tips will help you to get back on that horse and meet your goals. Comment below and let us know how you handle hair length goal disappointments?
