Anxious about going home with a totally new look to see the family? Advice please?

I am going home for the holidays to see the family. I, however am nervous of how I will be received. I have lost over a 100lbs since they last saw me and I now have many tattoos and piercings (ears). I just worry that they will see that and not see the real me that they know. I mean, they are a pretty open crew about tatts but are kinda weird about piercings. To me, it is funny bc most of my friends say the total opposite about theirs in which flies easier. I was just wondering how to go about it. I just want to be me, but not to the extent to where I am viewed as being freaky or a wierdo. I mean, I dress well and have a bit of a skater look to me, but I am not a goth or totally out there. Anxious about going home with a totally new look to see the family? Advice please?
I don't know how recently you had the piercings, but it might be easier on you and them if you didn't wear some of the jewelry (if it isn't too early to take it out just yet). Anyway, while everyone is dealing with holiday stress and family expectations, it might just be that less jewelry will be more in your case....again, if this is an option.





Losing excess weight is usually well received if you've done so healthfully, but you're right about tatoos and piercings......this is not usually something which is ';middle of the road';. In family members especially it can evoke some pretty harsh feelings.....but it doesn't have to.





Tatoos shouldn't be that big a deal in winter - I would imagine most would be covered by the clothes you wear in cold weather. If you really feel uncomfortable and have some that will still show, try going to the cosmetic counter and look for a full-cover, water proof foundation like Dermablend to temporarily reduce that shock factor for your family.





I realize what I'm proposing sounds like the chicken way out, but it all depends on your perspective. THE PIERCINGS AND TATOOS DON'T MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE, ANY MORE THAN NAIL POLISH OR CLOTHING OR A TEMPORARY HAIR COLOR. If it will make your holiday run more smoothly by being a little more conservative in your appearance at home, then why not do that, lower your anxiety factor and theirs, and have the happiest get-together possible?





You are who you are with or without the frills....but it seems to me it's easier to change your accessories - including the body art - than to get some of the leopards in your family to change their spots.......





Otherwise, just grin and bare it! :-)





Either way, best wishes to you! CassandraAnxious about going home with a totally new look to see the family? Advice please?
Before you visit you should send a picture.Most ppl don't like surpises.For example:Last year a family member brought there lesbian lover and her kids without telling us.It was very upsetting because it was a surpise and she did not tell US before she came out.I support gays.My mother just did not take it well.


I strong suggest to send a picture period.
Be brave. I know the feeling. Coming home with a mohawk or a big tattoo, face piercings, etc. etc. I've done that too. It is scary but you just have to be brave. They always get over it. Always. Soon they forget and it just becomes a part of you.


I think you should tell them first. Just so they aren't so shocked and over react or say something stupid. I saved a lot of hassle with my first tattoo by emailing my mum first.
They're your family...they will probably hassle you a bit, but they know the real you. I wouldn't worry. Besides, 100+ pounds, how incredible! Congratulations! Just be proud of yourself. You've earned the right to a new look! :o)
Send them some recent pictures of you first. That way they won't stand there at the door wondering who the heck are you and if they should let you in.
don't go home
take out the earings?? or call them a head of time and let them kno
I'd say just dress and act yourself.





Don't try to hide the tattoos or piercings by dressing in a way you normally would not. When you arrive at home, act like they aren't even there, and if people stare act like you don't notice.





If the tattoos have a deeper meaning than just looking cool, try explaining that if they ask.





As for the piercings, if you get any hassle, just say you like how they look and are not afraid what others think of them.





If they care about you as much as family should though, this should be no issue at all for them.





As for losing weight, this could be both good or bad. I'm going to risk it and say congratulations though.