We live in a culture where slight body modification is totally normal. Like a painting or a poem, it is a form of self expression. You can’t walk around an American city without seeing piercings, tattoos, and rainbow hair colored hues.

As society has progressed throughout the years, it has become more accepted for people to express themselves how they choose.

I have fourteen piercings. Why? To simply put it, because it makes me happy. I enjoy the aesthetic of piercings, so I choose to decorate my body with them.

Sometimes, assumptions are made about why I have a slightly above average amount of piercings. It’s not because I want to impress my peers or attract attention. It’s also not because I have a weird obsession with pain.

Sure, some people may get a piercing, tattoo, or dye their hair for the attention, but 9 times out of 10, the person's doing it for themselves and not anyone else.

My earrings are one of my many forms of self expression, just like how a painting or a chandelier decorates a room. I decorate my ears. I enjoy mixing and matching studs, seeing which earrings look well next to each other.

Yes, I enjoy when my ears are complimented. Why? Because I took the time to make them look nice, not because I was fishing for compliments in the first place.

My form of bodily self expression isn't that drastic. My hair and clothes sometimes hides my piercings. I don't have large gauges, a tattoo sleeve, or green hair.

But if you see someone self expressing in a way that appears to be more extreme than others, think before you make small-minded judgments about that person.

It's less likely that they're vying for the attention of random strangers.

So, go out and dye your hair every color under the sun, pierce whatever part of your body you want, and get that tattoo however big or small. Express yourself how you want, for you, and no one else.