Girrrl ... I got nothing. Cutting it short didn't really help either. Last time I cut from about 18-20 inches to about 2 or 3. I cut off 90% of my hair and it cut down on time like 20%. And it was ugly, keeping it real. Probably because I didn't get it professionally cut and just hacked it off in a fit of rage 30 minutes before I had to go to work.
And I was too scared of barbers to get it corrected. And then growing out the layers, ugh. So I decided no more cutting in fits of anger (that was the third time I'd done it), no matter how low I go, it doesn't help. It's about APL now, and I keep getting the lowest layer cut to try to help the layers grow out a bit.
But I feel you! This post speaks to me! I was reading it on my phone and had to put the phone down and get the lap top to really type up a reply. I've never had locs, so excuse my ignorant opinion, but if you think you'd like them on yourself, do it! I think it would be easier (that's the ignorance part; I don't know, but it seems like it would be) Inevitably, one day, I will get there too. I like them, I just don't want them for myself right now.
Question: what are your hair priorities? Cuz that will determine what you do. Is it having long hair? Manageable hair? Cute hair? Wearing your hair out? Also, how long is it taking you now, so I know what your idea of "long" is? If you tell me your idea of long is 30 minutes, there is nothing I personally have to say to you.
If the world cooperated with us, we'd be able to wear Celie braids and people would think it's cute. That would be the easiest. Or have one of those
Himba women hairstyles. But since we can't really do that, I think the closest thing that we can get away with is medium sized twists styled in some kind of way. On my hair, this was the easiest way of maintaining. I didn't truly care for the look, but it had its bonuses. The hair was twisted, so tangled less. It was already in twists when it got time to wash it, so I didn't have to do any presectioning. After washing, each twist was a good size for detangling quickly, max 2 minutes per section (I had about 25 twists). I liked it better on
blow dried hair, but of course that was another friggin step. This was them
shrunken.
Braids are an option too, but I braid more slowly. 2 hours goes to 3.5 for the braids, with the washing, conditioning, detangling, blow drying, and rebraiding. But braids could last through 3 weeks, particularly if I blow dried before braiding.
My hair looks rough these days. I stopped all hair pictures the year I had my baby. Shoot, can somebody come save me too?! I'm waiting on Reniece to prepare herself to start texturizing clients' hair, cuz I told her I am ready!
I'm planning to get pregnant in the fall, and I won't have to worry about my hair. 
