My Project Semicolon Experience
I have never had anything against tattoos; I just couldn’t envision something meaningful enough to etch onto my body for the rest of my life. Especially as a teenager and young adult, things that caught my attention never held it for long and thankfully I was smart enough to realize this. That is why I never got a tattoo.
I had never found anything meaningful enough to turn into a tattoo until June. That’s when Project Semicolon first appeared in my Facebook feed and Heather Parrie’s blog post went viral. Nothing resonated with me the way that the message of this tattoo did.
I loved the semicolon tattoo for two reasons: 1) I love grammar in general and semicolons in particular (see first sentence) and 2) the message behind it felt like a parallel to my life:
A semicolon is a place where an author could have chosen to end a sentence, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you.
By now I’m sure you are all aware of my journey through addiction. I’ve tried to convey the hopelessness, fear, and anguish through writing, but I’m not sure that words can really ever help another person understand the despair that accompanied me day after day. The aim of Project Semicolon is to help raise awareness against depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. As it is also my quest to help break the stigma surrounding addiction, this symbol serves as a conversation starter and a reminder that I could just as easily be another statistic. Because I’m not, it is important to me to bring to light the things that society tries to keep in the dark.
The semicolon is a pause. For me, it represents that moment in my bedroom where I finally paused long enough to realize that this was a problem that was only getting worse and I had a very important decision to make. I was facing severe consequences for my actions and for the first time I realized that I didn’t have to take more drugs to try and deny the inevitable. The road that I would choose was undeniably more difficult, but it was the only one that would keep me alive.
All I needed was that pause. That doesn’t mean that I made the decision to stop using and all was right with the world. I sat on my bed for hours looking up rehab facilities, calling a few, then feeling relieved when they weren’t able to take me. Vacillating between maybe this wasn’t the best decision for me and when would the overdose come? Maybe I was wrong and I could continue using despite my life crumbling around me or maybe it’s time to grow up and do the things that are hard.
The final rehab I called informed me that I would be given medication upon my intake and that I needed someone there to drive me home. I breathed a sigh of relief as I told them I had no one and finally I felt like I had a valid reason to skip rehab altogether. After their own pause, they told me to come anyway.
In typical addict fashion, the moment I saw the tattoo, I wanted it. Thankfully, being somewhat removed from the cycle of immediate gratification, I made myself wait at least a month to decide if I actually wanted to get it. That made my final decision date a day after my birthday. It just so happened that last weekend Neil and I accompanied our friend Matt to a tattoo parlor for his own consultation.
This was only the second time I had been in a tattoo parlor and I knew that there was probably a reason for it. I asked a few questions and was told it would only take about 10 minutes to complete it. Since I was unprepared for such a quick offer, I did a little panicking, left to eat some ice cream, and returned a little while later. This is how I felt:
I probably drove Cassandra, my artist extraordinaire, a little crazy because when she mentioned she would probably just freehand my tattoo, I brought up my saved photo font on my phone which she then had to resize, print out, and transfer to my finger a number of times before it was perfect. I’m quite sure that a semicolon was well within her abilities after looking at her drawings on the wall, but I’m glad she appeased me.
It really wasn’t that painful, but you may not be able to tell that from my facial expressions.
After a few minutes, I was the proud owner of a symbol I finally felt was important enough to share with the world. A big thank you to Cassandra and Metamorph Studios for being so accommodating to my neuroses. Project Semicolon complete.
It took me a long time to learn how to ask for help. I felt that it was a sign of weakness and that if I was really strong and capable, I would be able to figure anything out on my own. I never would have gotten to where I am today without help. LOTS of help. And you know what? It isn’t weak. It isn’t shameful. It’s the one thing that kept me alive.
I wear this tattoo proudly for friends I have lost and friends I have yet to find.
I wear this tattoo proudly as a reminder to slow down and be grateful for where I am as well as where I’ve been.
I wear this tattoo proudly for myself and everyone struggling with addiction or mental illness and most importantly,
I wear this tattoo proudly for those who aren’t quite ready to pause.
You got it! HOW DID YOU NOT TEXT ME IMMEDIATELY YOU FOOL. I guess I would find out anyway, haha. You know my response here, proud, happy, blah blah. I won’t bore you. What I will say is that we all need to remember that pauses, deep breaths, catharsis, they are all points to begin again. What follows a semi colon is a complete thought, an independent clause. It is related to and grows out of what came before, but it stands on its own two feet as something new and apart from the previous.
You can. Beginning of story.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Successful Goal Setting from Your First Marathon On
I know I’m sorry! I forgot haha.
I also love a semicolon! What a great idea! I love it! Maybe I need an exclamation mark! (No, no, no I don’t.) I love this post and that you’ve done something so meaningful!
Erin recently posted…Why You Should Read Fat Girl Walking
Thanks Erin! I’m just so happy I get to have punctuation on me too haha
Very cool! Although I do have a small flower on my wrist, I have talked about how I’ve outgrown it. Yet, I’m too indecisive to have it covered with something more appropriate. What is appropriate? I can’t define the mystery, so there will be no more branding…until I find my own semicolon!
Rica @ Yoga Mat Monkey recently posted…Why I’m Okay with Not Knowing
Exactly! When you find it, you’ll know!
I love that you found something that’s so meaningful to you. What a great message and something I’m sure you’ll cherish forever.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #40
Definitely. Now if only I could get back to doing things with my hands…
This is absolutely awesome. I love how meaningful of a symbol that is for you, and I appreciate you sharing the story about Project Semicolon. I had never heard of it, but the spirit behind it sounds amazing, and I’m glad you were able to find a way to incorporate it into your life forever 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted…Thursday Things
Thank you! I’m surprised you hadn’t since it’s been all over my FB for months haha.
This is great that you found something meaningful to you, that’s all that matters. I started getting my body art work after I turned 30 and for me it’s my artistic expression and hugely personal. Its permanent art which I love and feel inspired by, but it took me several years to design. I don’t think anyone should put anything permanent in their body unless they want to. That is all 🙂
Danielle recently posted…Milk Tea & PoPo
Haha yes I agree. I think this will prob be it for me, but so far I’m happy I did it!
Very cool tattoo. I love the thought behind it. Meaningful tattoos are beyond beautiful and so special. Thank you for sharing!
Jamie recently posted…WIAW Random Foods Edition
Thanks for reading! I knew I had to find something that meant enough to get forever
I love love love project semicolon. LOOOOOOVE.
Ever since I heard about it, I decided I’m getting one, the only question is when. (Possibly soon – eek!).
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Thinking Out Loud
DO IT.
Love it! Message, semi-colon and placement!
Erica @ Erica Finds recently posted…Wednesday Giveaway Round Up #30
Thanks Erica!
I love it! Perfect spot, too! I really enjoyed reading about what the semi colon means to you. Beautiful!
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Why I Won’t Eat A Quest Bar
Thank you! It didn’t even hurt that much!
I love that you put it on your finger instead of your wrist.
Bain recently posted…IDEA World BlogFest 2015: Top Five for Blogs and Life
Me too. It’s so cute there I think
I love project semi-colon and have been thinking about getting a very similar tattoo on my wrist! It looks great and it is a great birthday gift to yourself.
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…My S.M.A.R.T. Goal for August
Do it! I love that it’s so meaningful
I feel silly admitting that, before reading your post, I was STILL confused about what the semicolon is used for. It all makes sense now, haha!
I admire that you got a tattoo of something that is so meaningful and close to your heart. I don’t have any tattoos, but if I were to ever get one, I’d like to find something that I’m connected to, as well.
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Try This Thursday 8/6 – Kathleen’s Muesli for breakfast
Semicolons are my jam.
I actually hadn’t heard of the message behind the semicolon, but I really love it! And I think it’s great that you found something that so perfectly represents what you’ve been through. I’ve toyed around with the idea of getting a tattoo myself, but I’m still kind of in the “I have no idea what it would be” camp.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #142 .
Yeah that’s how I was until I read about this and was like, well, now it must be done!
I loved reading this because it means so much to you. It really made me think about my own struggles and that moment of pause. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.
Angela recently posted…Beginner Treadmill Workout for Willie’s Birthday
Thank YOU for reading it. You’ve overcome a lot of stuff; keep rocking it!
Thanks for the great blog…….our pasts are quite similar in fact and it’s an honour to know a bit more about you. I can identify with a lot of your feelings and sentiments and wish you so much happiness in your recovery.
Andrew morris recently posted…Questioning Myself
Thanks Andrew!
I support the movement ridiculousy even so much as to have my own semi colon tattoo, just a quick question, why is your tattoo upside down?
Ha it’s not to me!
Love this post 🙂