The tongue piercing wasn't connected to any big life event. It actually started with boredom. One winter I realised I had been looking exactly the same for years, but every change I considered felt either too permanent or too obvious. I didn't want a tattoo, and
definitely didn't want another earring.
Then a friend casually suggested a tongue piercing. At first I laughed because it seemed completely unlike me. That was exactly why I kept thinking about it.
For about six weeks I secretly researched studios, healing times and jewellery. I never mentioned it to my family or friends because I didn't want everyone's opinion before I had even made up my own mind. One Friday after work, I realised I had spent more time researching it than actually deciding - so I booked an appointment for the next morning. This was my first
piercing!
My friends found out gradually. Some noticed when I laughed, others took weeks. My favourite reaction came from my younger sister, who stared at me for a few seconds and said, "You? Seriously?"
"Hi, I'm Erin, 28, from Portland. I work in customer service and spend most of my free time gardening, reading, or meeting friends for coffee. I'm fairly practical, so I rarely make quick decisions about my appearance.
I had wanted a tongue piercing since my early twenties, but I kept postponing it because of work, the healing period, or simply nerves. Last year, one of my friends finally asked why I was still talking about it instead of booking it.
I made an appointment that evening, nearly cancelled twice, and went through with it anyway. Now I mostly forget it's there-but I still love that it's a slightly unexpected part of me."
"I'm Leona, 25, from Stockholm. I work as a visual merchandiser for a fashion store, so I spend most of my days arranging colours, shapes and small details until everything feels balanced. I'm quite thoughtful when it comes to big decisions, but once I know what I want, I rarely change my mind.
Piercings weren't new to me. I already had my belly button pierced and several ear piercings, but I had wanted a tongue piercing for a long time. My partner has had one since we first met, and seeing it on him made me like the idea even more. I loved that it could be attractive and unexpected without being visible all the time.
For months, I was certain I would get one classic tongue piercing. I had saved reference photos and even chosen the jewellery. During the consultation, however, the piercer showed me venom piercings. The symmetry immediately caught my attention, probably because I work with visual balance every day. Suddenly, the single piercing I had planned felt almost too predictable. I didn't decide straight away. I went home, compared the two options for hours and kept imagining how each one would look. The next morning, I booked the venom piercings. My partner still believed I was getting the classic version, so I kept the change of plan secret. He had inspired the idea in the first place-but the final surprise was completely mine."
"Hi, I'm Lena, 26, and I live in Kraków, Poland. I'm calm on the outside, but I get restless fast when life starts feeling too predictable. I'd wanted a piercing for a long time, but I could never decide what kind. Then during a weekend trip to Warsaw, after my train home was cancelled, wandered into a piercing studio where they had this strange little game-you could draw a card and let luck decide your piercing. I pulled tongue piercing, laughed for about ten seconds, and then said yes. I told no one- and showed up at work on Monday as if nothing had happened."
"Hi, I'm Sofia, 24, and I live in Valencia. I'm talkative, slightly chaotic, and usually the person who turns a quick coffee into a three-hour conversation. I chose a tongue piercing because I liked the idea of having something unexpected that wasn't obvious at first glance. Most people only notice it when I laugh-or when I decide to show them."
"Hi, I'm Chloe, 22, from Brighton. I'm usually quiet at first, but once I feel comfortable, I'm curious, sarcastic, and always up for trying something new. I got my tongue pierced after someone told me I looked "too sensible" to ever do anything unexpected. I booked the appointment that same afternoon. It started as a quiet act of defiance-but I kept it because it felt completely like me."