You can transition from relaxed to natural hair any way that you prefer. Read through the different options and decide what fits you best. Try not to let others influence your choice because this is YOUR hair we’re talking about.

The ‘Big chop’ (BC)
This is the quickest option. You take a pair of scissors and cut the relaxed hair off. You could go to a hairdresser to do it, but don’t be surprised if they’re reluctant to do it or try and change your mind. You could choose a family friend to do it for you, or you could do it yourself. Make sure that you have a good mirror if you do do it yourself.

PROS
-You don’t have to deal with two very different textures e.g. straight relaxed hair versus the coily natural strands
-You don’t have to wait any longer to be natural

CONS
-It’s a drastic way to go from medium length/long relaxed hair to a short afro (small afros are commonly called TWAs, which means teenie weenie afro)
-If you change your mind, you’ll have to start growing your hair from scratch

Grow it out

The boundary between the relaxed and natural hair is fragile, so this option usually involves protecting the hair with as little manipulation as possible. You could protect your hair under a weave, in braids, cornrows, twists, etc. Because of that fragile boundary between the hair types you need to choose a hairstyle that will last a long time, so you’re not constantly in your hair. Please remember that your hair won’t just break off if you stop relaxing- people go months without relaxing and they haven’t lost their hair. If you’re really worried about how you’re look with short hair, this option is the best for you.

PROS
-You won’t have to wear short hair, if you’re uncomfortable with that
-You’ve got more time to make a final decision on whether to go natural or not
-You get to experience longer natural hair without cutting your relaxed ends off

CONS
-It could take years before you get to a natural hair length you are happy with
-You’re not natural until you cut the relaxed hair off
-You have to try and leave your hair alone, so new hairstyles all the time won’t be a good idea
-Seeing the new growth may make you tempted to relax, just to see how long your hair is

Texturise
Texturises are mild relaxers which loosen your curls instead of straightening them. Texturised hair is NOT natural, no matter how hard some texturised heads claim that it is. Once a chemical (relaxer, texturiser, hair dye, etc) changes your hair permanently, you’re no longer natural.

This option involves switching the relaxer for a texturiser, so you get acquainted with caring for curlier hair. When you are ready, stop texturising and stay with your natural hair.

PROS
-No shock factor of going straight from relaxed to natural hair
-You can see whether you’re ready for natural hair before cutting it off

CONS
-You still have to cut the texturised hair off eventually
-You aren’t natural
-You’re still putting chemicals on your head
-You’re still spending a lot of money on hair care because you need to ‘touch up’ your roots every couple of months

Go over the PROs and CONs of each option. Don’t be surprised if you combine them. As long as it works for you then go for it. Do not let others’ opinions guide you e.g. you don’t want to BC because your boyfriend might not like it. It is YOUR head so you must do what is right for you and you alone. Everyone else will adjust to your decision in time.