Disclaimer: Tattoos and piercings are definitely not for everyone. If you’re not an advocate, that’s okay too! But, negatively commenting on someone’s tattoo/artwork and/or piercings is NOT your job! You wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them you think they’re ugly. It’s okay to have an opinion, but some opinions are better left unsaid and trust me, those with the tattoos and piercings you don’t like don’t care about your negative opinion whatsoever. Their tattoo/piercing is not for you, they would never force you to get one and frankly, they’ll probably laugh at you for being so judgmental. Plus, you’ve then lost the chance to hear the awesome story behind it.

If you saw me walking down the street and had no idea who I was, you would never be able to tell that I’ve had 17 piercings and have seven tattoos. These sound like crazy numbers, especially knowing me (well, not if you REALLY know me). And, yes, I’ve said that correctly: 17 piercings and seven tattoos. I have had a needle go through my skin completely seventeen times just to get a piece of jewelry there and I have sat there while a needle penetrated my skin millions of times to apply ink. Although this is true, I am down to about three piercings left but all my tattoos are still there (and I know I’ll be getting more of both again soon).

Let’s start off with piercings…

Besides for my face, the only other place I have gotten pierced is my belly button (three times). Unfortunately for me, my body doesn’t agree with my love for body jewelry and they were all rejected. I’ve also had my nose pierced, which I absolutely loved but had to take it out for student teaching (which I understood 100 percent. Professionalism and my career is more important than a stud I can always replace). That leaves me with 12 left for just my ears. I have had three in each lobe (it’s now down to one in each), I still have one of my cartilage pierced, I’ve had four more in my cartilage/upper ear and two in one tragus.

I absolutely love my piercings and I can’t wait to get more/re-pierced in some of these places. I personally think that look good and are absolutely beautiful. That’s why I endure the pain that I go through with it. The pain is temporary, the wound will heal and I’m left with a beautiful piece of jewelry that can make me stand out from another average girl next to me. It’s also an adrenaline rush (tattoos more so). I’m not one for doing crazy things, breaking laws and getting my adrenaline in that way: I tend to play things more on the safe side (even though I did just jump out of a plane this past summer…). With any new piercings, I know what my end result will be and I know that I’ll love it. And hey, worse comes to worse, my body rejects it or I don’t like it anymore: I can just take it out and it’ll close up! Done and done.

Tattoos are a bit more controversial…

I absolutely adore all seven of my tattoos. I wouldn’t change any of them even if I could and I honestly can’t wait to get even more. Before I got all of mine (even though some were on a complete whim) I thought to put them all in places that can be hidden. This way, if I go on an interview where it’s not so much accepted to be tattooed or I’m trying to hide them from others (like my parents considering I’m one of the youngest in my family and have the most tattoos to my knowledge..) I can do it with no problem. Don’t get me wrong, I do not agree that tattooed people should be discriminated against for their tattoos, but I do respect others opinions to the point where I know not everyone wants to see them, especially in a professional environment. If it were up to me, I would get a rock a sleeve if I could do what I love and not be scrutinized for it and I hope that someday this will be the case, but today is not that day.

Not only do I love my tattoos because they’re a reminder to me of what I’ve overcome, a certain time in my life, or simply my meaning behind it, but I love the fact that I have a piece of artwork on me from different artists. I carry this around with me all the time, and I know that what I have is special to me because of the artist that did it, the conversations we’ve had, and because it’s on my body. Sure, someone can have a similar tattoo, but the ones I have are mine. It’s truly the one and only thing I can have that no one else possesses. I’ll admit, I have spent a decent amount of money on my artwork but I would never wish for that money back. These pieces are a part of me that I couldn’t imagine being without now. When I get a compliment, I’m usually surprised that someone noticed honestly. The ones that can be seen when I don’t try to hide them are relatively small and I still have people that I’ve known for awhile, just notice a tattoo that I’ve had for long before since I’ve met them. And when someone compliments on one of them, it’s truly the best experience to know that someone noticed, admired and then told you about their admiration for your body, artwork, and choice.

I would never change my decisions on the tattoos and piercings I have and will eventually have. There is etiquette and “rules” to follow when deciding and getting either a tattoo or piercing, and I could go on forever, but I won’t.

Moral of the story: I love my artwork and jewelry on my body. I am proud to show it off and I will never regret it. The adrenaline rush I get from both is truly addictive, but my love for my artwork is even more obsessive than just the adrenaline alone. Like I stated, tattoos and piercings aren’t for everyone, but if you are with me: cheers to us!