A few months ago, I decided to get my septum pierced. Well, I thought about it. I thought about it long and hard. A friend of mine had recently gotten one and I loved how it looked. I had been seeing them all over social media, and I fell in love with how cool they looked, and I really had a passion for getting one. I ordered a fake piercing online. It was just a plain silver hoop, and I didn’t even know where exactly it went in my nose. Once I figured it out, I was enamored. I knew my mom didn’t want me to get one, so getting a fake piercing seemed like almost a compromise. Having a fake piercing was convenient, I could take it out whenever I wanted, but I kept it in most of the time. After wearing it around and seeing people’s reactions, which were all mostly positive, I was convinced that it was time to get my nose pierced for real.

Here's me with my fake piercing.

I went home to get it done. I had gotten a recommendation from someone to go to a certain shop close to me, and I had heard good things about them. Getting the piercing done wasn’t bad. I had to go by myself, which was nerve-wracking. As I went in and lay down on the table, I told my piercer that it was my first piercing I was getting on my own. He told me he thought that I was awesome for doing it, and I instantly felt so much more comfortable.

All I really remember from getting my nose pierced was my piercer telling me, “Dude, you have a small nose.” I’m a small person, so this really was not a surprise to me. I remember there being pressure when it was happening, I felt like I needed to sneeze, but it didn’t hurt—it felt like nothing compared to my thigh tattoo.

I ended up going to a marching band rehearsal that night, and the kids loved it. They told me they thought it looked great, and I felt awesome. People have continuously told me they like it. But sometimes, I wonder if I was right in getting it. I know my mom doesn’t like it, and my sister isn’t partial to it, either. Whenever I see my family, they ask me what’s in my nose. I’ve gotten into a habit of telling people that it’s a really big, shiny booger.

And here’s why it isn’t a bad thing:

I love it. It’s become a part of who I am. It’s me having a chance to express myself. Being able to have this piercing that I love and that I think is really cool is something special. Anyone can wear them. Boys, girls, whatever you identify as, cows...we all look great with them in. It hasn't changed who I am as a person, and it's super empowering. It might not be the most conventional standard of beauty, but who cares? If you're wondering whether you should get one or not, do it. You won’t regret it.

Thanks to Redhouse Tattoo in Depew, NY for piercing my nose and giving me something to talk about.