See, I don't view the semi-colon tattoo as a "badge" or anything, or someone saying "hey, this is my identity!"

I view it as a way of remembering/acknowledging the past (the part in front of the semi-colon) and looking towards the future (the part after). It's a reminder of something in the past, and a reminder that that part is over and a new part starts.

Like... people getting tattoos in honour of people who they know have died. It's a way to honour and remember the past with them. Except... in this case... it's an aversion to dying as opposed to dying. It can be a way for someone to remember themselves.

Do I label myself as bipolar? No. But it IS a part of who I am, and it is certainly a part of my life - part of my past, and will be a part of future. It is a part of me, but it is not me. It isn't shameful or wrong of me to include that as part of my identity. I identify as bipolar, I identify as caucasian, I identify as working-class, I identify as Canadian, I identify as a teacher..... Why is it that my health needs to be hidden?

I actually am planning on getting the tattoo. On my foot. Where the dot part of the semi-colon is going to be a freckle that I have there - I've frequently drawn around it over the years, and I've contemplated a tattoo there for eons. So I'm going to get the bottom half included. (I was also an English major, and the ; is my favourite piece of punctuation..... I actually used the ; so much that I had to start training myself not to, and I seem to over-use dashes now instead!)

Is it a trend? Yes. But it will have a layer of other meanings for me, as grammar is much more significant to me than birds, butterflies, etc.

But am I labelling myself? No. If someone knows what it means, then good! I will have a discussion about it - I believe in erasing stigma. I don't even have to tell them that I deal with it, but that I find it an important cause. Then again - it will likely go unnoticed unless I point it out as it will be the same colour as the rest of my freckles.