I have a belly button piercing. I found it less painful and less faff than an ear one, especially the cartilage one! I had my belly button done about 17 years ago.
Now this is going to sound like I'm a bit odd (OK, no surprise there!) but I find tattoo pain a good pain. Maybe it's because of all the pain I didn't choose so I don't mind the pain I did choose? Who knows, but it doesn't feel like pain pain, iykwim.
It's OK, the men in white coats have arrived.......