Same was true for me @beez and @HaydenRose, I pierced my own nose when I was in my early 20s. Kept it pierced for a couple years then took it out for a while. Re-pierced it for a while. Took it out. I don't have a hole there any more, totally healed over.
My tragus and rook are my fairly recent piercings. I like them, but yes, it is a much longer healing period than tattoos. Much quicker and easier to get but harder to heal. Still, worth it if you like the way it looks and commit to cleaning the piercings diligently. Conch next... (I think).
I thought it was kind of weird that I started getting into piercings again in my forties, but then I thought what-ever, who cares, it's fun. My pic from instagram: