Sometimes things aren’t always as good as they seem. I had wanted my tongue pierced since I was about 14 (the emo phase was strong then). My mom never let me get it, so as soon as I was away and free at college, I got it done myself.

Right off the bat, it was nothing like other people who had it described to me. Getting the piercing hurt and the swelling began immediately so I could barely speak. Not to mention the bar I got it pierced with was larger than my actual mouth, so it never sat properly and healed crooked (or it was just pierced crooked).

I knew I was in for a rough healing period, but imagine barely being able to eat for a whole week because it hurts too bad. I lived off of smoothies and go-go squeeze (or as I pronounced it then “go-go shqueeshe). It was a hungry time.

After the first week is over, you’re still not done babying your poor mouth. You have to rinse it out with mouthwash about three times a day until it begins to turn your tongue yellow. Also, I was stuck with the huge bar for two months, until it was completely healed. Getting new jewelry for it, that actually fit in my mouth was such a happy day. I was elated that I could finally close my mouth comfortably.

I thought this would change how unhappy I was with the piercing so far.

I was wrong.

It still laid sideways in my mouth, either from being pierced or healing crooked from the huge bar and I was constantly biting it by accident. In case you don’t know, most oral piercings can cause serious damage to your teeth especially if you’re playing with or accidentally biting them.

I noticed my teeth starting to hurt a lot more over the past few months. Teeth sensitivity = teeth damage.

I knew I was unhappy with my tongue ring, but I just wasn’t ready to let it go.

I had wanted it for years, I spent so much money on it and obviously, I looked rad with it.

It took me way too long to realize that looking cool, isn’t worth putting my mouth through damage and pain. It feels discouraging to have to get rid of something I had wanted for years, but some people just aren’t meant to have certain piercings. Piercings reject all the time, my tongue ring just wasn’t what I expected it to be.

I can always get a different piercing, and I most likely will (sorry mom).