The Stepping Stone to Self Discovery

Through the years, I have followed closely the art of body modification and viewed body piercings through a different perspective than that of my parents. Growing up in a very traditional old-fashioned Asian family, the only appropriate body piercing was one lobe piercing for each ear and no more. About a little over a year ago, I began to finally break out of their narrow mindset and realize that I am my own person and that I am living for myself. The fascination I had with body modification was finally able to breathe and come to life.

About a month ago, I finally got to experience my first real piercing. Previous to that, I had gotten my ears pierced as an infant so I have no recollection to that experience, but a little over a year ago I had stretched them myself to a current 00g. So, I really had no idea what I was about to experience and how everything would go. As I stepped into the studio with my friend who was going to get pierced as well, I was extremely excited and terrified. Excited to get the piercing I had wanted for years, but terrified that my very strict Asian parents would beat me to death with bamboo sticks and have giant pandas sit on my dead corpse. I'm just kidding, but I hope that can vividly display the torn emotions that I was under.

As I began to fill out the paper work, I came across the question that asked, "What are you getting pierced?" my eyes searched the lines and finally came to, "Nape." As I hesitantly made a check mark to my selection, I was in disbelief that I was about to get the piercing that I have wanted for many years. A piercing that would make me extremely happy, yet a piercing that could get me kicked out of the house for as well.

When it was finally my turn to get pierced I was prepped and marked and ready to go. I also have to mention the piercers at the studio made me feel at home and I consider them my very good friends now upon every visit, which feels like a weekly trip for my friends and I. Anyway, as I was sitting down and felt the needle pierce through my skin for the first time it felt like a small pinch and did not hurt at all. The breathing exercises they made me practice really helped with the procedure and made the whole experience that much easier. I was so comfortable in the setting and environment of the studio that I had no worries whatsoever. So after they finally screwed the tops onto my nape piercing, they handed me a mirror and I was extremely satisfied with my new piercing.

I now have a 14g surface bar with the flat discs and am excited to go back to change the tops when I have the time. I am extremely satisfied with my Nape piercing, and although it is still currently still in the healing process I do not regret it all. It is my favorite piercing that I have, and I love it! My nape piercing is my own little secret from everyone and I am very happy with it.

When I get pierced I feel like I am a blank canvas and my piercers are the artists. I give them complete artistic freedom to exercise their form of art. Body modification is a beautiful experience as well as a great artistic expression shared and reflected by both the piercer and piercee. As an inspiring artist and lover for the arts as well, I truly love and respect this art form and wish that everyone could have the chance to experience it because it is a definite beautiful experience. You pretty much start a new chapter of your life with your new piercing, along with the wonderful people you meet and get to know within the mere 20-40 minutes you share with them. With your new experience you enter a loving and open community that loves what you are interested in and it is a great feeling to be around people who appreciate your same interests and are willing to share as well.

With my new piercing, I have honestly become more comfortable with myself. In the stage where most individuals around my age group are beginning to discover their true personality and become more comfortable with who they are, my piercing has definitely made me more at ease. It has made me more confident as well, and it is honestly a great relief to finally accept and understand myself to a greater extent. Of course, my interests will broaden as the years go by, but I will never forget one of my initial stepping stones to self discovery through my first actual piercing experience.