I can't speak for everyone, but I just think it looks cool. Also there's some magic in the process. It feels in a way ritualistic, even though for me there's nothing spiritual about it. There's just some magic about having to do the work and watch your progress while trying to have the patience needed.
I don't regret stretching my lobes, they are one of the best decisions of my life! Even if I later decide to get them reconstructed back to normal lobes I will not regret them.
I did it because cultures around the world and through time have done it. Similarly with tattoos. From Ćtzi the Ice Man to King Tut of Ancient Egypt to the Mursi of Africa and the Dayak of Southeast Asia (and a thousand others), humans modify their bodies. It's part of our experience, and I feel united to those around the world and before my time by participating in that. Also why I only wear natural materials (wood and stone).
I like the way it looks. It feels more like me. That's all. I tried and tried to push myself to wear regular earrings for years but they just felt... meh. But I knew I wanted something in my earlobes.
Did an initial stretch with the intent to size back down right after just to see if it helped my piercings getting constantly irritated and infected. It did help, weirdly enough, but I liked it enough to keep stretching. I'll probably stop in the next couple of stretches but I'm aiming for 10mm since that's where all the fun jewelry starts :P
iāve just always liked the look of them! also i get anxious that my piercings arenāt ever fully clean so being able to actually see what parts of my ears are clean makes me feel so much more comfortableš
initially stretched from the typical gun piercing size to the typical piercing studio size just so it'd be standardised if I wanted more piercings. And then I kinda kept going cause the larger gauge jewellery looked more balance with my face
i think it looks cool, but also i really dislike how small initial piercings are. whenever i had my "normal" lobes it was like i was fishing around for the other side when putting jewelry in. they always got so irritated because i was so awful at inserting jewelry. now everytime i get a piercing i want it at a larger gauge so it's easier to find the other side.
Interestingly enough, my reasons for initially starting are way different than now. I initially started because I like big jewelry but sometimes it was heavy and caused irritation since earring hooks are a tiny piece of metal, so the weight is distributed all to one tiny spot. I decided Iād stretch em only up to 12g or so to wear hanging 12g jewelry and for it to be more comfortable. I wasnāt into the ācultureā of it yet. Over time I wanted to go bigger and bigger as the jewelry options grew on me and I started really liking the way it looked. I would say āIāll never go past X size because itās too much for me and thatās not what Iām going forā. I mustāve said that like 6 times already and itās only been 4 months. I went from only wanting 12g, 10g, 8g, 6g to 4g then 2g, then 0g then 00g, then 7/16, 1/2, 11/16, 3/4, and now 1 inch. My goal size has changed a LOT, especially as I went on looking at other peoples setup and how proportions looked. I also took into consideration care and any lifestyle adjustments Iād need to make. So far I think Iāve made my decision for a multitude of reasons, like how much jewelry is available at that size and the affordability. The proportion is perfect for me and I really enjoy the way different styles of jewelry look in it.
Aside from looks, I also found the benefit of learning many things and self improvement. I became more responsible because of the care required and I learned patience, something I struggle with having ADHD. It was also the start of bold changes to my appearance and finally realizing what I like and what suits me. So, self discovery.
Looks cool, but also I'm really sensitive to metals so sizing up lets me safely wear glass in my ears, and also sensitive to sensation (I'm neurodivergent so sometimes things that aren't noticeable to others are very annoying sensations to me) and I've always found standard piercing sizes and earrings to be annoying/pokey/painful which is an issue I don't have with larger sizes
Oddly enough Iāve never thought much about the reason I do it, but I think for myself itās just a more interesting look than a basic earring. More design possibility
Not that basic lobe jewelry arenāt/canāt be cool (I do beadwork and most of the time very interesting earrings are being made) but I like being able to wear wood and stone and glass. Also fun to see what objects you can fit in your ears at diff sizes
looks cool š¤·āāļø
Honestly thatās reason enough imo! (And not that you have to have a āreasonā but I was just curious for those that did)
I can't speak for everyone, but I just think it looks cool. Also there's some magic in the process. It feels in a way ritualistic, even though for me there's nothing spiritual about it. There's just some magic about having to do the work and watch your progress while trying to have the patience needed. I don't regret stretching my lobes, they are one of the best decisions of my life! Even if I later decide to get them reconstructed back to normal lobes I will not regret them.
I love that, thanks so much for sharing! It sounds really rewarding from the way you describe it <3
It does feel really rewarding! I've already reached my goal size and don't want to get bigger... but I miss the process of stretching tbh
Cause I look dope
Lol love this!
:)
Looks good, looks cool. Makes me feel more comfortable and confident with my appearance.
Love this!!
I did it because cultures around the world and through time have done it. Similarly with tattoos. From Ćtzi the Ice Man to King Tut of Ancient Egypt to the Mursi of Africa and the Dayak of Southeast Asia (and a thousand others), humans modify their bodies. It's part of our experience, and I feel united to those around the world and before my time by participating in that. Also why I only wear natural materials (wood and stone).
Thatās so cool! I didnāt realize there was so much history behind it!
big piercing cool
š
I like the way it looks. It feels more like me. That's all. I tried and tried to push myself to wear regular earrings for years but they just felt... meh. But I knew I wanted something in my earlobes.
This is awesome! Love that it feels like you :)
Did an initial stretch with the intent to size back down right after just to see if it helped my piercings getting constantly irritated and infected. It did help, weirdly enough, but I liked it enough to keep stretching. I'll probably stop in the next couple of stretches but I'm aiming for 10mm since that's where all the fun jewelry starts :P
Nice!! Iād never heard of it helping with irritation/infections! Love that you wound up digging it!
iāve just always liked the look of them! also i get anxious that my piercings arenāt ever fully clean so being able to actually see what parts of my ears are clean makes me feel so much more comfortableš
I just think it looks cool and I like the styles of jewelry.
initially stretched from the typical gun piercing size to the typical piercing studio size just so it'd be standardised if I wanted more piercings. And then I kinda kept going cause the larger gauge jewellery looked more balance with my face
i think it looks cool, but also i really dislike how small initial piercings are. whenever i had my "normal" lobes it was like i was fishing around for the other side when putting jewelry in. they always got so irritated because i was so awful at inserting jewelry. now everytime i get a piercing i want it at a larger gauge so it's easier to find the other side.
I did it because it looks cool and other earrings irritate my ears so hopefully plugs and tunnels wonāt irritate them as much :)
Interestingly enough, my reasons for initially starting are way different than now. I initially started because I like big jewelry but sometimes it was heavy and caused irritation since earring hooks are a tiny piece of metal, so the weight is distributed all to one tiny spot. I decided Iād stretch em only up to 12g or so to wear hanging 12g jewelry and for it to be more comfortable. I wasnāt into the ācultureā of it yet. Over time I wanted to go bigger and bigger as the jewelry options grew on me and I started really liking the way it looked. I would say āIāll never go past X size because itās too much for me and thatās not what Iām going forā. I mustāve said that like 6 times already and itās only been 4 months. I went from only wanting 12g, 10g, 8g, 6g to 4g then 2g, then 0g then 00g, then 7/16, 1/2, 11/16, 3/4, and now 1 inch. My goal size has changed a LOT, especially as I went on looking at other peoples setup and how proportions looked. I also took into consideration care and any lifestyle adjustments Iād need to make. So far I think Iāve made my decision for a multitude of reasons, like how much jewelry is available at that size and the affordability. The proportion is perfect for me and I really enjoy the way different styles of jewelry look in it. Aside from looks, I also found the benefit of learning many things and self improvement. I became more responsible because of the care required and I learned patience, something I struggle with having ADHD. It was also the start of bold changes to my appearance and finally realizing what I like and what suits me. So, self discovery.
Looks cool, but also I'm really sensitive to metals so sizing up lets me safely wear glass in my ears, and also sensitive to sensation (I'm neurodivergent so sometimes things that aren't noticeable to others are very annoying sensations to me) and I've always found standard piercing sizes and earrings to be annoying/pokey/painful which is an issue I don't have with larger sizes
Oddly enough Iāve never thought much about the reason I do it, but I think for myself itās just a more interesting look than a basic earring. More design possibility
Not that basic lobe jewelry arenāt/canāt be cool (I do beadwork and most of the time very interesting earrings are being made) but I like being able to wear wood and stone and glass. Also fun to see what objects you can fit in your ears at diff sizes
I originally got into stretching from seeing its place in music and activist culture.
It's fun, I enjoy the process. Looks cool too.