u/Full-Raspberry6786

I've had the same cut (shaved sides curly top) for the last 7 years and I'm desperately looking for a change. When I was a kid my mom would braid my hair for me, but I'm not too experienced myself, and don't have the disposable income to pay somebody $$$ every month to braid it for me. I've been growing it out a bit in hopes of maybe doing dreads, as those seem comparatively low maintenance, but I wanted to get some advice for style ideas that I can do at this length by myself. I'm willing to learn to do my own braids but it has to be something I can do in a reasonable amount of time. I kind of want to have a bit more of a feminine appearance.