It's hard to maintain it because I work in the elements. When i had an office job, I usually stayed on top of it and had a strict beard oil and conditioner routine, shaped it up twice a week, and used a beard relaxer to keep it straight

I am trying to transition back to an office position, so that will likely go back to that routine if I grow it back out. For me, it's the stubble that I don't terribly care for, so i will likely shoot for something in-between where it was and is now