“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”

—Noam Chomsky

I am a glass half full, the sun will come out tomorrow kind of person; a believer that everyone deserves a second chance and that humans are innately good beings. I’m an eternal optimist if you will.

When I started piercing almost a decade ago it was amazing; piercing became an overnight passion I didn’t know I had. I wanted to learn everything I could about every aspect of our industry. I dove in head first. I have had the privilege of being chosen as an Al D. Scholar, and have now become a longtime conference volunteer. I have been a contributing writer and an Editor for The Point for several years. The culmination of all this hard work and diligence has been the opportunity to serve as this organization’s Vice President.  Looking back, it honestly seems so surreal. I have met soulmates, best friends, and my chosen family. Being a part of this industry has allowed me to be the change I wanted to see. I wanted to make a difference and this industry gave me the chance to do that.

Although I may be a glass half full kinda of girl, I would be lying if I led you to believe that my time in the piercing industry has been all sunshine and lollipops. It is very easy to let piercing throw off a work life balance, as it seems piercers like to eat, breathe, and sleep piercing. In my case it allowed me to indulge in my first choice for self harmful behaviour, being a workaholic. I used my career as an excuse to miss family gatherings, maintain toxic relationships, and to define myself as a person through my career alone. This sadly means that I, like so many piercers I know, have spent the past few years teetering ever so cautiously on the precipice of complete burnout.

After almost a decade in this industry it was a strange reality for me to have worked so hard for so long to get exactly where I wanted to be, only to realize that place was not at all like I had envisioned it. I am so very proud to say that I feel I have made real changes within the piercing industry, but I am now realizing the changes I’ve  made  in myself during my involvement in the industry are the real prize. I have said it before and I will say it again, this industry has taught me self worth, the ability to set boundaries, and to stand up for what I believe in. The piercing industry has also shown me that it is ok to step aside when you are no longer the best person for the task at hand, and the time has come for me to step aside and let the next shepherds of our industry take the lead.

I believe that this industry and this publication deserve a new voice, the voice of the next generation of piercers. The time has come for me to say goodbye to The Point and my  role as Managing Editor. I would like to thank James Weber, Elayne Angel, Kim Zapata, Jim Ward, Caitlin McDiarmid and Marina Pecorino; whether they know it or not, each of them played an integral part in my editorial journey with this publication.