I’ve wanted to pierce my nose for my entire life. I came home from college with a fake nose ring and my parents flipped out. Then, I started my business, and I didn’t do it because I was already young and didn’t want people to make assumptions about me. Then, once I was experienced enough as a headhunter, I didn’t feel like I could because I was speaking on so many stages, and what would people think?
Throughout the last 35 years, I’ve not pierced my nose primarily because of other people. Maybe it’s turning 50. Maybe it’s feeling I’m finally accomplished enough to disregard other people’s assumptions. Maybe it was the extra push from Piper (she did it with me!).
I’m not sure what finally pushed me through the fear, but I did it, and I’m delighted with it!
We went to an extremely reputable place, which was a lot more medspa than tattoo parlor. I literally cannot remember a time I was this scared. Talk about practicing being brave! I have no pain tolerance and can even faint when something really hurts. I didn’t faint, and it hurt significantly less than I anticipated.
It reminded me of the power of negative anticipation. I’ve thought of little else this week leading up to the appointment. My nerves were in high gear, and I already had an understanding of the refund policy if I chickened out. I invested a tremendous amount of time and energy being nervous and worrying about something which barely hurt at all. How much time are you spending worrying about possible negative results? This experience was a fantastic reminder for me.