Struggles of Being Natural

Honestly I already knew it was going to be a struggle even before I big chopped my hair because through watching youtube videos and hearing what those who are natural do to for maintenance I knew I would have a hard time. I have learned and am still learning about my hair especially through the seasons which helps me determine how often I need to moisturize my hair. Also the longer my hair gets the more time and work I need to have to maintain a
style. I kind of miss my shorter hair in the fact that I didn't have to do a lot of work to my hair but I don't miss the look of the short hair because I like long hair. Some people asked would I cut it again...my answer is NO unless my hair gets jacked up again or I am over 60 yrs and tired of maintaining my hair but for now not trying to go back to that stage, didn't care for it that much. Will I perm my hair again? I have to say Idk yet I'm still trying to decide because I'm not going to make that decision until my second year being natural. I like seeing my hair grow really fast and doing different styles with my natural hair, but sometimes I can't stand that my hair like the shrinkage and not looking like I want it to look. Yep sometimes I get frustrated with my hair that causes me to feel like I don't want to deal with it anymore. I feel it was easier with a relaxer but then some styles that I can do with my natural hair I couldn't do with my relaxed hair. I shall see later down the line of my hair journey so for now I'm keeping it natural until further notice :) The style that I mostly do is Bantu Knots now that causes my hair to get curls, but I have did the Afro but too many people like touching my Afro so I don't do it as often. I can't use the sponge anymore have to do Bantu knots, twists, braids and other styles now. Which I have to do every two days to maintain my curls if I wait longer that that my hair starts to get knotted and tangled. I also especially in the winter months need to keep my hair moisturized often or it gets really dry since I have my ends of my hair colored.