Ever since I was little, I have always been intrigued by tattoos and piercings. I have always thought that body modifications are such a neat way to express yourself. Some people get tattoos that have deep meanings to them, or of something that they never want to forget. Other people get tattoos simply because they like the way they look. Most people get piercings because they like the way that they look. And there is nothing wrong with that.
Our generation sees tattoos and piercings as a normal thing. A large number of high school kids even walk around with tattoos. I got my first and second tattoo while I was a senior in high school. A lot of high school kids get piercings too, typically their ears, nose or belly button. I personally have two cartilage piercings, my belly button pierced, and my nose pierced as well. Another type of body modifications that are becoming more typical are gauges. Gauging your ear starts out with a normal pierced ear, and you just stretch the hole until it is the size you like. I also have my ears gauged, and I love it.
People (especially older people) judge me for my tattoos and piercings all the time. They like to ask me how my tattoos are going to look on me 40 years from now and my answer is always the same: My tattoos are going to look even more badass, and it isn't your body so why do you care? People judge me for getting more piercings too and my response is once again:why do you care? The one thing I get judged for most is my gauges. I understandwhy people don't approve of gauges, I am literally stretching my ear. But guess what? It is my body, not yours. If you don't like the way my gauges look, good for you. Don't do it then.
You don't have to tell me that it is going to be hard for me to find a job with my gauges or tattoos, because it won't be. I have gotten plenty of jobs with all of these things, and I will be able to get plenty more. Body modifications are becoming a social norm, and aren't looked down upon as much anymore. Not only that, but everything I have can be covered, and they are not inappropriate at all.
I love my body modifications. I love my tattoos, piercings and my gauges. They are part of who I am. I love the way I look with them. I love walking around with these awesome pieces of art on my body. I love walking around with all of this jewelry on my body. I love having holes in my ears. I love body modifications, and that is OK. It is OK because this is my body, not yours.
So before you decide to judge me or others because of what we have done to our body, answer this question first: How is this hurting you in anyway?
Because this is my body, not yours.
