Top of Mind
12.21.20
Practicing Visualization
By Crown Affair
As we approach the end of this year, many of us are not only ready to put 2020 behind us but, we are also thinking about our resolutions and getting clear on what we want to accomplish next year. In support of our new year’s goals, we are practicing visualization. We are thinking about our goals, dreams, and aspirations from a different lens.
Visualization is a tool that helps turn your imagination into reality, your intentions into being. This practice can immerse all five senses, beyond just sight, to envision your goals realized. Why is it so powerful? Your body can not actually tell the difference between a mental rehearsal and the real thing according to studies by hypnotherapist Grace Smith. Visualization also taps into your subconscious mind, making you more open, creative, and receptive.
This week, try the visualization practice of “rehearsal imagery,” or imagining your future goals accomplished. Start your practice when you are feeling the most relaxed (this can be first thing in the morning or right before bed). Close your eyes and clearly picture the scenario of you accomplishing your goal. Incorporate each of your senses. What does success feel like in your body? What sounds are present? Who are you with? What are you wearing? Allow your mind and body to register everything that comes up. Combine your visualization with a quick journaling exercise, meditation, or mantra to round out your practice.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯", 𝘚𝘪𝘹 𝘕. 𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦 (2020)
- Where do you live and what do you do?
I live in Bushwick, NY, and I am the founder and CEO of emerging beauty brand, Ami Colé.
- How would you describe your hair?
My hair is a recent friend of mine. She's fully transitioned from relaxed to ever-changing 4C, low-porosity hair. My hair is demanding– time, product, energy, arm muscle strength– but she's beautiful to me.
- How does your hair make you feel?
Bountiful. My hair's thickness and versatility remind me that I am limitless. My hair can hold braids, weaves, combs, and so many stories & secrets. I feel proud when I finally nail a hairstyle and understand her (my hair's) language. It took some time to get here.
- Have you always felt this way about your hair or has it changed over time?
Nope. It took some time for me to grow a relationship with my hair. Prior to transitioning to all-natural, my hair was always managed by someone else; usually my Dominican hair stylist every other week for a "wash and set". And when I have braids, my mother or one of her hair stylists would braid, twist, or weave my hair.
It took some alone time with my hair – in the shower and beyond – to have this relationship. We're in a good place now. So much so, when I go to stylists I remind them how my hair wants to be treated, for example detangled from the tips down to the root vs. from the scalp to tips.
- What is your current haircare routine?
Oh boy. Do we have time? It all starts with wash day. This happens usually on a Sunday when I've mentally prepared for the start of a new week.
I start by sectioning my hair into 4 parts. I like to use clips or scrunchies to hold but not pull my hair. I brush through each section with the intention of detangling. When my hair is super dry, I use oil during this step. I then step into the shower and wash my hair by section. I stretch my hair downward to focus and massage my roots clean and treat my scalp – shampooing like the commercials leaves my hair tangled and shrunken.
After shampooing, section by section, I condition. I let my conditioner sit in my hair while the steam works its magic. It's a golden moment for low-porosity hair. While it penetrates, I usually treat my body to a scrub. I then take my Crown Affair Comb No. 001 to comb through my conditioned strands from root to end. This comb has fallen so many times but never broken (we're friends).
After all this, I apply a leave-in conditioner and oil immediately before my hair shafts closes – this locks in the moisture and oil. I usually stretch my hair with an amazing blow dryer brush from Amazon. When it's dry, I add oil and styling butter to twirl or braid my hair. When it's twist out day, I undo my twists to reveal and fluff my fro. This happens every two weeks.
- What other rituals do you lean into the most?
Laughing. Talking to my boyfriend. Catching up with my best friends. Using my Calm App to meditate in the mornings. Playing with beauty products.