In any scenario, I would say that I despise needles. However, if my mom had told me she booked an appointment for a helix piercing, I would not complain.

Although there are many ways jewelry can be used to express oneself, I find the earring back to be far easier to fiddle with than a necklace’s clasp. For someone who often struggles with waking up early in the morning, squeezing in time to deal with a slippery chain and tiny hook would get me in the car well after the tardy bell rang.

What better way to set the mood for the day than based on convenience? Having earrings able to switch out, as quickly as my mood, gives me greater control over my presentation. If I want to set a calm tone for my appearance, I can pop on a pair of blue crystal studs. Bold? Gold hoops. For any situation, any emotion, I have the earrings to match.

Besides personal gain, earrings are a way for me to connect with family overseas. Visiting India every other year has not been the best for maintaining stable communication with all my family members.

Despite these complications, every WhatsApp call with my aunt always consists of what ready-made earrings from India I would like to bring back home after our next visit. We spend hours scrolling through websites and cataloging appealing designs. While distance attempts to push us apart, earrings can always string us back together.

During this time of reflection, I dedicate a portion of my thanks to the aspect of my identity defined by earrings. Not only do they give me a distinctive method of self-expression, but to restore bonds with family.

For that, I am grateful.

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