So hard to find myself beautiful with my natural hair

This is my FIRST time in my life (other than when I'm swimming) that I've worn my hair curly outside. I put the chebe powder in it with a conditioner and it made my hair sooo curly and beautiful. I have always been so apprehensive about wearing my natural hair.. I feel like I'm not beautiful with my natural hair. I remember when I was in second grade and I wore my hair in an afro and my classmate yelled when she saw me. She yelled, "Oh my GOD, what happened to your HAIR?" My second grade teacher pulled my classmate aside and gave her a talking to and let her know that natural hair is beautiful. I don't know if it was the reaction of my classmate or when my dad said that I have "slave hair". Or maybe the fact that my mother refused to touch and tend to my hair. I'm not sure where this insecurity comes from, but I feel myself growing. I feel myself healing. Because I'm doing things that I've never done before. I still have so much anxiety, but I'm getting better every single day. I have to keep telling myself that as long as I survive the day, I have accomplished something major. One day at a time...