Gmo

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to start natural/neglect/free-form locs?? Everything I read online says just leave your hair alone and it'll loc up on it's own.....but the thing is I used to have a decent sized fro back in like middle school and my hair never loc'd up or anything on its own. Is it because I picked it out and would style it with gel and stuff?? So if I wanted to get free form locs I couldn't pick my hair or style it or anything for the time being?? Would I just have to let it be an uneven lumpy mess on my head for the time being??? Also, I'm a black male if that makes any difference.......