When youthful indulgence stops being cute

I saw a woman in her late 50s at the pool the other day wearing a two-piece bathing suit.

What caught my attention wasn't the fact that she was decked out in a bikini, but that she had a tattoo stretched out across her lower back.

She. Looked. Ridiculous.

As I silently judged her, perched lazily on my lounge chair, I glanced down at my own body. I've got a few tattoos of my own, but that's not what I started obsessing over. Instead, I focused directly on my stomach, asking myself the question that anyone in their late 20s should ask.

How old is too old for a navel ring?

I've had my belly button pierced for many years now and ever since I started wearing a bathing suit this season (like, two weeks ago because it's been so frickin cold in Chicago), I've been wondering if it's time to take that sucker out.

It's not gaudy. It doesn't dangle. It's not oversized. It's just a simple, standard jewel. Yet I can't help but wonder if people will soon start looking at me like I look at 55-year-old women with tramp stamps... if they haven't already.

I mean, a cry for attention is no longer acceptable once you pass 21. We're older! We're wiser! We know better!

So, at what point do you let go of this innocent, youthful rebellion and transition into piercing-free adulthood? I'm thinking soon...