Thinking about a new look

Okay so I love braids... Frankly, I cant think of a time when I didnt have braids. My braids addiction probably started during my sophomore/junior year in university. Why do I like braids? Simply because its convenient. Yeah people say it takes 6 hours to get them done and probably 6 - 8 to get them out but for me... especially because I am on the road, I can wake up late, jump in the shower and head out and not have to deal with styling my hair everyday. Yeah, like anything else, braids have a down side, they are not good for my own hair (yeah not the one I paid for, but mine.. home grown). I am getting to the point where I need to actually start taking care of my hair. I've made excuses, thought through the reasons and I think ultimately I need to stop braiding. I have to be creative with what I do. I guess we'll see. I just have to find something that won't require too much maintenance everyday and something that would allow me to swim when I feel like it... I guess the new look will be in effect the last week of September. In as much as I am dreading the additional 20 mins I need to spend to make sure I dont have a bad hair day and the 3 hours I would have to spend at the beauty shop every other weekend, a teeny weeny part of me is looking forward to the new look. but ultimately, I think I'm sad about it. I'll post new pictures when the look changes.