Ditto Ginn and Island! Once I can get to shoulder length I imagine my next goal won't be very far off. It took me less than six months to get from shoulder length to arm pit length the first time using protective styles. Right now I wear clip on buns and drawstring ponytails, (which I really hate). I am really hating this length. It's an awkward length to wear out with barely any protective styling options. I agree waist length is a bit too much for me. If I ever decide to grow my hair out that long it would only be to prove to myself that I can. I don't imagine I would keep it that length. I am going to put braids back into my hair next week. I agree that this length encourages too much manipulation. I can't leave any style in my hair for over a day without a ton of gel, but I can't leave a ton of gel in my hair for over a day either so I end up washing my hair everyday, which is added manipulation, so I tie my hair up, but then here comes the gel again. It's a never ending cycle. I am going to keep rebraiding my hair until the end of the winter. I want to surprise myself when I do finally reach my goal.