u/Jazzlike-Success603

Hi! I am 25 F and need hair advice.

In high school I was bleach blonde, but my hair was sooo healthy.

Then I dyed it brown, and it was even better. I never put any heat on it, just let it do its thing.

Then I started curling it with a heat tool multiple times a day for like 2 years… and box dying it dark red/brown.

Anyway, my hair feels (naturally) pretty damaged and it is so dry and looks bad when I don’t heat style it. I want to grow it out long and healthy like how it used to be, but I can’t tell which products are hurting and which are helping.

Overall, I know I need to stop putting heat on it. Aside from that - what are some tips for healing damaged hair, and growing long healthy hair fast?

I have a silk pillowcase, I use Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. I’ve tried a bunch of oils and moisturizers, but I have pretty thin hair and sometimes I feel like the products make my hair look worse?

Also - is it better to sleep with your hair down, up, does it matter?

Any/all tips appreciated!!!

Need advice/wisdom -

I am 25 F living in NYC. I moved here after college for a job at an advertising agency and have been working there for 3 years now.
I like my job a lot, pay is good, hybrid, I travel for work which I enjoy a lot.

I am just struggling with the 9-6 daily grind.

I’m wondering if grass is greener with another style of living - like flight stewardess, WOOF (farming abroad), or even working at a coffee shop.

I just hate being stuck at a computer all day, even though I like what I do.

Also debating if I want to stay in the city or take a risk and move abroad for a while/out west/back home?? I love the city but miss my family and friends back home, and nature.

I am single and have nothing tying me down. I have always wanted to live abroad and be a writer but also don’t want to throw away a good situation for a pipe dream.

For people who have done the ‘risk it all’ thing - how did that work out for you?
For people who haven’t - do you regret it?