It didn't start too long ago. About 6, maybe 7 months back. It may not be the 'journey that will go on for a lifetime' but it sure will last a lifetime, even if I do retire my stretched lobes. The memory, the process, the pain and the pleasure. It'll all be there up until the day I no longer am.
At A Glance Author Kaylee Contact symphonyin_peril@yahoo.com When N/A Artist Self-Done Location Southern California The starting point of my journey took place some time in late January. A good friend of mine started to stretch her ears and that somehow inspired me to as well. To be honest, I didn't know much a thing about stretching when I began. I didn't know the sizes, the way in which one should properly stretch, the jewelry...nothing. Along the way, at every chance I'd get, I'd jump on Google, type in 'ear gauging' [that seems more popularly used than 'stretching'...] and sit there for hours looking up everything I could about it. After accumulating alot more knowledge if I'd find someone who's interested in the process, well, don't even get me started! I'd be fine sitting there for hours talking to them about it.
In all reality, most of my stretches were pretty uneventful. They were all self-done, nothing fancy. But to me, they meant something more. I never stretched my ears for a deep, spiritual meaning. I merely liked the aesthetics of it and took enjoyment out of it all. But, after stretching for so long, I learned more about the process and ways of it and almost wished I could start over...Use all my new-found knowledge and do it again! Thinking more upon that, probably not. I think once was enough. Just perfect. Though I think I will be a little sad when it's all over...
..When it's all over. That was initially going to happen at 4g. Obviously, that came and went.
It was then going to happen at 1/2". Oops.
5/8"? Maybe not.
3/4"? We'll see. That's to be my next stretch and [what I think will be] my last.
Given my track record though, I really don't know. I'll just play it by ear. [Pardon the pun.]
Along the way, I got [and get] the inevitable criticism. The "Not so hot at 86 years." remark [That one's famous, along with "Your ears are going to be sagging when you're older, you know."]. The references to 'swiss cheese', 'tribesmen', and 'harlots' [Don't ask me where that one came from]. 'Does that hurt?' 'Will it ever grow back?' 'What about on your wedding day?' I really don't mind them. It comes with the territory and some of them even amuse me. That doesn't mean I don't get annoyed. I think what bothers me most is when people tell me things about my ears that I know better and more about than themselves [being that they are my ears]. But even with those, I take it with a grain of salt and hope I can inform them better, if I'm equipped to do so.
Along with the 'bad' criticism, comes the good. It never ceases to amuse me when this 5th grader at my church comes up to me, looks at my ears and gets all wide-eyed and curious. Or when someone compliments me on them. Even when they're just plain 'ol wondering how I get my ears like 'that'. Oh, but I especially like it when I see a fellow stretcher. It feels almost like you have a bond with them.
Perhaps I could be of some help to any one wondering...Perhaps, not. Either way, some random [but valuable] tips I've learned along the way ...
-Lubricant is a Godsend. Really. If your lobes like to be stubborn, you'd most likely accept all the help you can get and lubricant can do the trick.
-It's stated often for a reason: Don't skip sizes. You don't want to risk ruining those gorgeous lobes by going too fast and skipping sizes, do you? Take your time, enjoy [even if it is hard and you want to get to your 'destination' quick. ;)]
-Ignorance is not bliss in the modification world. Know what you're doing. Don't be like me, and go into it blindly.
-Upon examination, procrastination might not be too bad of a thing when you stretch your lobes. That is, waiting between stretches...That's one of the major things I learned. The longer you wait, the easier it'll be, honest! Give your ears time to heal and loosen themselves up.
-And don't be afraid to downsize if need be. Oh man, just thinking about having to downsize would upset me. "I'd worked this hard to get my ears here, and now I have to go back and re-do it a bit?!" But really, if it'll save your ears, it's much worth it. And sometimes, it's necessary.
It's been a process, I can give you that much. And a long one...But extremely rewarding.
People ask me if it hurts and to be honest, at times it hurt like crazy. But I tell them one other thing:
The end result, the work of my labor, greatly justifies the pain, the patience and the process it took to get me there.
Recent pictures:
Stainless steel double flared tunnels - 5/8"
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/AllSaintsCry/HPIM6108.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/AllSaintsCry/HPIM6106.jpg