i’ve wanted to get my nose pierced since my teens
It wasn’t an option when I was living at home. And when I moved out to go to University, it was forgotten about in the excitement of boyfriend, living my own life and study.
Then my dear friend, Nic, visited in the mid-90’s and she’d had her nose pierced in India. I distinctly remember the day that our pet magpie sat on her shoulder and plucked out her nose piercing, promptly flying to the roof to deposit there. But I was working in a Catholic school, a respectable member of our community and didn’t think it would go down well.
Kids came along and again the idea was forgotten. Too busy being Mum and wife and business owner.
It wasn’t until early this year that the idea raised itself again. “You should do it, Mum.”, were words of encouragement from my Daughter. But I kept putting it off. Chickening out. People will talk, I thought. I’m too old to get it done now.
And then I received this email after my last taking stock post…
Tasha,
Hope you don’t think this is the weirdest e-mail ever. I love following your blog and love reading about your diverse interests and creativity. In a recent post, “…hello, curve ball,” I read:
Considering: getting my nose pierced – something I’ve always wanted to do, but keep chickening out on
This was like deja vu since I had experienced the same thing! I wondered if we were long lost twins separated from birth or maybe living in a parallel universe. ! I got my nose pierced last year for my 50th Birthday. I decided to write you and share my story hoping it might help you to decide to go ahead now and do it. Looking back, trust me my only regret is waiting so long!! If you don’t like it or it doesn’t suit, then you can take it out and it’ll heal fine. However, 1+ years later I still love it and I keep saying I’ll be the only old lady in the nursing home with one, one day, ha! I’ve had the ring, I’ve had different studs, and I like them all, but after finding an artisan made thin, little silver captive bead nose hoop, I put in my will that I want to be buried wearing it! …..
…I had an epiphany that put perspective back into my life. Went into Starbucks for coffee and noticed this nicely dressed, professional looking woman standing in front of me. She had short grey hair in a pixie cut, pearl stud earrings, white silk blouse, black pencil skirt and matching little pointy toe kitten heels. When she turned to get her coffee, I noticed a teeny, tiny little diamond nose stud. I couldn’t help but comment and compliment her how cute she looked with a nose stud. She smiled at me, thanked me for the saying how pretty she looked with it and whispered in my ear that she got it last year at age 61! I shared with her my dream of having it done and she said, “…sweetie…don’t wait, nor overthink it. If you want it done, then do it now so you can start enjoying it now. Furthermore, she said, honey…you’re never too old to do something making yourself more beautiful!” HELLO!…..
Do what you makes you happy, just for you…if it’s true to you, it’s a natural fit, you own it, you rock it and everyone notices that you’re radiating! LOVE
Bethanie
hello, kick in the pants!
I received Bethanie’s email on Saturday, so first thing Monday morning, I rang the piercing studio and made myself an appointment. I told Daughter because she’s been my cheerleader all along. She was bummed she couldn’t come too because she was meant to be working.
Needless to say that when Tuesday morning rolled around, I was NERVOUS.
“What am I doing!! Am I insane!?”
Probably. Occasionally it’s a definitely!
But now I was also accountable to Bethanie. You see, I’d emailed her back and told her that no, it wasn’t the weirdest email ever. Weird is good, after all. And thank you for the push I needed. The inspiration and words of encouragement.
So, I walked into that studio, nerves and all. And when the girls asked who was getting their nose pierced (I had Daughter with me, because she didn’t have to work after all), I said: “I am.” I had a bit of giggle inside as they raised their eyebrows and then said: “Go you!”.
It hurt. I swore. Daughter held my hand as I had mine done, and then I held hers as she had hers done too.
I’d like to think that I inspired her to have her nose pierced.
just like Bethanie inspired me to have mine done
To be beautiful. True to me. Rocking the Conservative Hippie.
Because without that email from her, I’d still be sitting on the fence.
As an aside: only 2 people have noticed. Don’t know what I was worried about after all!
In the comments, I’d love to hear:
What do you wish you could do, but don’t have the courage to go through with?
P.S. Photo by The Son of a Photographer, a.k.a. my Son.
