I’ve been stretching my ears since I was 17 and, I don’t think I’ll ever get past an 8 gauge. I’ve had them at this size for 2 almost 3 years. This year I’ve tried multiple times to go to a 7g. I have been actively dead stretching it’s, a lot of waiting, oiling my ears, and trying to see if the larger jewelry will fit. It’s only been 6ish months of me doing this and, with very little progress, I might have to come to terms that I’ll be at an 8g forever (hopefully not).