7 Years

They say your body completely regenerates every 7 years. With the exceptions of some major organs, you are a brand new human being every 7 years. Every year on July 20, I get a tattoo on the anniversary of my rape. I know some think that’s stupid- why remind yourself? I don’t do it to remind myself- I do it to take my body back. I lost myself that day, and every year I get something to remind me that it is MY body.

However, this year will be the 7th year of getting a tattoo. Technically it will be 8 years since the assault, but I was in denial the first year. So, since this represents 7 years…my body is officially MINE again, and I think this will be the last year I do this ritual. I will still continue using July 20th as a self-care day, but I don’t think I will be adding any more tattoos on that day.

And I think that final tattoo will be “I belong to myself”