Whether you're transitioning or simply on a journey to achieve healthier, thicker or longer hair, we all know that the journey takes time. I'm 23 weeks (5+ months) into my transition and am starting to feel fed up with my hair. It's been breaking a lot recently and is feeling really dry...

So how can we keep motivated while on the road to our goals? Below, I've compiled a list of 9 suggestions that hopefully will keep you motivated when you're feeling discouraged:

  1. Keep a blog or journal: 
Document the products and techniques that did and did not work for you, and how they made your hair feel. Keep a record of your last trim / cut, protein treatment etc. Documenting this information will help you keep on track and it can also be fun!

2. Take hair photos every 3 months: A watched pot never boils. If you're constantly checking your hair for signs of improvement - you may feel as if you're not making progress. Every three months is a good time to take photos of your hair, as by then, you should see some noticeable progress (length, health, thickness)

3. Write a list of hair goals: Make note of your short term, mini goals (eg. better moisture retention) and your long term goals (eg. fully natural by 2015). It's much more rewarding to check off mini goals as you progress in your journey as you will continuously feel like you're achieving something.

4. Talk to others: Surround yourself with supportive people and dismiss the one's who doubt you. Share experiences, techniques and recommendations with others who are on a hair journey. Hairlista is a great forum to give and receive support.

5. Make note of compliments: When someone gives you a compliment on your hair, write it down! It will make you smile when you re-read all the nice things people have said.

6.  Collect inspirational photos: Start collecting pictures of your dream hair. Surround yourself with inspiration; use the pictures as your phone wallpaper or stick one by your mirror so you're constantly reminded of your goal. If you're technology savvy, you can even photoshop your goal hair onto a current picture of you!

7.Don't jump on every bandwagon: Know that there is no miracle product that will grow your hair overnight. There has been a plethora of products advertised to make such miracles and they will simply leave you feeling disappointed. Consistency and patience, consistency and patience...

8. Hide your hair: If you really can't stand your hair right now, hide it! Put it in a protective style for a few weeks so that you don't have to constantly be worrying about it. Just don't neglect it.

9. Work with what you've already got: We all imagine what kind of styles we would do when we get our dream head of hair. However, we must not ignore what we have now. Embrace your current hair and make the best out of it. While we would all love to reach the destination, we should enjoy the journey too.

How have you been keeping motivated on your journey?