I have always been one to express my freedom and beauty in (what is seen as)a taboo medium. At 15 I shaved off half of my long, black hair after I managed to escape from an abusive relationship, in which I was unable to express who I was within.
At A Glance Author Tanith Contact harlequin_tears@hotmail.com When A year ago Artist Ruth Studio Urban Piercings Location Reading, UK
Just over a year later I found myself back in that same situation. I had again escaped from a suppressive relationship and able to express myself again. I never imagined I would have this particular piercing but it slowly grew on me and I couldn't stop thinking about having another ring to adorn my nose. I spent weeks, reading experiences and looking at pictures of septum piercings. All unique and beautiful in their own way.
I couldn't wait any longer.
A month later I arranged for me and my friend Lucy, to take a train into town. I could feel my hands shaking, which wasn't helped by all the horror stories of people have their septum pierced and then gushing with blood in which Lucy delighted in telling me!
Once we were in town I didn't hesitate to smoke too much before entering the shop, I was so scared yet excited and kept giggling uncontrollably. Eventually we stepped inside.
As usual, the shop was busy. I gingerly went up to the counter and filled out the necessary forms and paid. No turning back now! I went upstairs where I waited with Lucy. My fear was slowly eased as my mind was taken off of what I was about to do, by all the people in the waiting room, chatting about their experiences and what they were going to have pierced.
Eventually it was my turn, I was wished good luck by the remaining customers and went into the piercing room.
I was greeted by my piercer, Ruth. I noticed her septum piercing and she smiled as she read the form. She stated that it was her favourite piercing and loved performing them.
I hopped onto the bed and admired how pristenely white and how clinical the room smelt, this helped calm me down slightly, knowing I was in good hands.
It tickled when she started cleaning the inside of my nose and I laughed nervously. She felt the inside of my nose with her thumb and forefinger, searching for the "sweet spot". Then the needle came out, I grabbed Lucy's hand. Ruth smiled and said "this isn't the most traumatic piercing in the world, so don't you worry".
I closed my eyes and felt her line up the needle, I took a breath in and there it was, that searing, burning hot sensation. My eyes started stream with tears. The needle was stuck half way through and I could feel pressure in my top front teeth, I breathed in again and let a sigh of relief as I felt it go through the other side.
Ruth then told me, "this is the fun bit! look in the mirror!" and there it was, a needle poking out of my septum, I grinned happily and Lucy and I giggled at the sight of a long needle sticking through the middle of my nose. Ruth then quickly put a 1.6mm BCR through and popped the ball into place.
I looked in the mirror again, it was perfect. I thanked her so much and left the room. The remaining clients in the waiting room marvelled at my new piercing and was told that it suited me very well.
When I got home my mother told me how beautiful it was and asked me a myriad of questions, particularly regarding how painful it was. Unfortunately my grandmother, who is my mother's full time carer, didn't share the same feelings. She told me it was ugly and disgusting and demanded that I took it out. No explaining in the world could convince her that this was not self mutilation and how positive this piercing is for me. She then ignored me for two weeks. This upset me very much, as I don't like disappointing my parents or close family, as much as my Grandmother seems to believe. However, I wouldn't and couldn't remove it. If I did I would feel like I denying part of myself and a part of me would be missing. Unfortunately, she wont even try to understand, so this has lead to alot animosity between her and I. Hopefully one day she'll know that I respect her for helping my mother and that I never wanted this to happen and that I do this so I can feel happier within. Not just for sheer mindless teenage rebelli on.
This is my most painful, yet most treasured piercing to date and I still thank Ruth for doing this for me. I know I couldn't have had it done if I had not escaped that relationship and I am so much happier without that stress. No matter how ugly anyone says it is, no matter how much my Grandmother tries to suppress my ideals of beauty. I feel beautiful with it and deep down that this is my expression of freedom and no one can take that away from me.