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Your story isn’t over yet

July 23, 2015   ·   0 Comments

People all over the world who have struggled with addiction, suicidal thoughts, depression and self-injury are getting a semicolon tattoo as part of an online movement.

The trend of the semicolon tattoos was stated by Project Semicolon, which describes itself as “a faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling. As to the significance of the symbol itself, the organization writes on its website, “a semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life;” thus, in the case of these tattoos, it is a physical representation of personal strength in the face of internal struggle.

Though a Christian organization, Project Semicolon is a quick to point out that they do not exclude those who follow any other beliefs or religions. Founder Amy Bleuel got a semicolon tattoo in honour of her father, who lost his life to Your Story Isn’t Over Yet

People all over the world who have struggled with addiction, suicidal thoughts, depression and self-injury are getting a semicolon tattoo as part of an online movement.

The trend of the semicolon tattoos was stated by Project Semicolon, which describes itself as “a faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling. As to the significance of the symbol itself, the organization writes on its website, “a semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life;” thus, in the case of these tattoos, it is a physical representation of personal strength in the face of internal struggle.

Though a Christian organization, Project Semicolon is a quick to point out that they do not exclude those who follow any other beliefs or religions. Founder Amy Bleuel got a semicolon tattoo in honour of her father, who lost his life to suicide when Amy was 18.

This movement was actually started in 2013, but has been getting more exposure recently. People are displaying semicolons on their skin, either with a tattoo or through other non-permanent means to show solidarity to these and talk about these unseen disease facing millions across the world.

More conversations lead to less stigma, and the tattoo is becoming a conversation starter when people ask what it is. It is providing a great opportunity to talk and tangible support and help too. Through The Semicolon Tattoo Project people are getting the they need during times of crisis.

Last year, The Semicolon Tattoo Project held an event at several tattoo shops in the USA where people could get a semicolon tattoo for a flat rate. In total over 400 people received semicolon tattoos in one day and this event has began to spread far and wide and people all over world are getting semicolon tattoos.

Call it a trend, call it a movement, call it whatever you like, but the bottom line in this: This semicolon tattoo is a sign of survival, hope and awareness and that’s what matters!

By Michelle Austen

         

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