OMG I don't think you realize how much hope you have given me. What do you think was the biggest contributor to your hair growth that wasn't happening previously? How long did it take you to get to APL?
Trust me, there is definitely hope!!
My hair has gone through so many stages. However, when I stopped getting my hair done at the salon, that is when it reached armpit length. I had two different scissor-happy stylists unfortunately.
I feel like one of the keys to my retention was washing my hair everyday and keeping it off my shoulders when I was relaxed. It got to armpit length before I knew it and to brastrap length even faster it seemed. Later in my journey, I started following the advice on growafrohairlong (website is no longer up unfortunately) and came up with my own version of it -- I kept most of my hair plaited and started using a lye relaxer vs. no-lye. That is when I finally got to waist length.
My natural hair knots up too much so I'm still trying to learn what works best. I keep it in plaits most of the time so that all I have to deal with is the top part of my hair. It is all in a bun every day. I take it out of the bun each night though.
Here are some things that are tried and true for my hair whether relaxed or natural.
1. Sleep with a 100% silk scarf.
2. Use a shower filter.
3. Use truly seamless combs.
4. Do not flat iron dirty hair.
5. If wearing in a bun, pull hair all the way through and then twist it in a bun.
6. Stay away from banana clips and any hair ties with seams.
7. Wash and condition hair as often as possible. Even if just condition washing. Water really has been the key for me.
8. Stay away from grease or at least don't put it on my scalp.
9. Don't flat iron too often. I probably flat iron my hair once or twice a year just to make sure I don't have some sort of weird breakage.
10. Wash hair in sections.
11. Plaiting most of my hair.
12. Taking care of my hair myself.
You will get there. Trust me on that!!!