I cannot stress the amount of times I’ve heard, “Tattoos are so unprofessional,” and, “You don’t see professional employees with their faces pierced,” while growing up. Even at 15, when I first expressed an interest in piercings and tattoos, and eventually getting those, they were always said with such a negative connotation that for a while, it made me ashamed of even liking them, or finding them fascinating. Even when I expressed a wanting for a crazier piercing in my ears, I would have people turn their noses up to me with disdain. I thought it was insane how people were turned away from jobs because they had a tattoo on their forearm, or a pierced eyebrow. I didn't understand why their choices affected their ability or intelligence. Whenever I asked about it, I was always answered with, "They just don't look professional." For a while I believed it, but now I always question what is considered 'professional'. It would be cool to see doctors with full sleeves and dentists with industrial piercings because it wouldn't affect their abilities at all.

When I turned 18, I decided to get my nose pierced because I had wanted it for a few years. I was so excited because I had saved up my money and would finally be doing something considered 'adult-ish'; signing for myself on what I wanted to do to my body. Whereas I got multiple praises and reassurances that it looked cute, I had multiple people look at me in disgust and tell me I wouldn’t hold a steady job while having a nose ring in the future. Even when working in retail, I would have older ladies make the comment, "You would look so much prettier without that hoop in your nose." I used to get so offended because my nose piercing was part of who I was, and I thought it looked great. As I continued working in the industry, I learned to shrug it off because it had made me happy, and I shouldn't care what some random woman thinks.

When I got to college, the first thing I did here was walk into a cute little tattoo parlor and received my first tattoo. Thinking about the pain, because I am a wimp, I got it on my outer thigh. It’s a small sun, and isn’t noticeable unless I’m wearing shorts or a bathing suit. However, when I got it, people told me I would never become a therapist because of my tattoo (that is only visible in the summer). When I tell others that my next tattoo will be on my wrist, they ask why I would ever think about getting a tattoo in that location. When I calmly explain that it's a reminder for me and that I want to be able to see it, the most common question that's asked next is, "Well what will you do if you get a job that doesn't allow visible tattoos?" While, looking hopeful into the future that the stigma around tattoos will end, I assure them that I can wear long-sleeved shirts if it’s still a big deal. They just shake their head and tell me I'll regret my decisions.

I am not sorry for my tattoos or my piercings. I am not sorry for decorating my body with ink that doesn’t, in any way, take away from my intelligence. Just because I look a certain way does not mean I am less qualified for a job than someone without tattoos. Tattoos are a way to express myself with artworks on my body. I love my tattoo, I love my piercings, and I will never apologize for having them and getting more. It's time to erase the stigma around tattoos and piercings, and that they automatically equal a delinquent. I am not a bad person because I chose to showcase a piece of work I liked enough to make it part of my body. I love my tattoo and my piercings, and I will never apologize for them.