What my Tattoos taught me
Growing up tattoos were not things anyone in my family had. I remember seeing a little rose on a friends mom’s ankle at school and my family made a big deal about it . When I was 17 my sister got her first tattoo and I liked what she had. We were about to move from New Jersey to Tennessee and my mom told me if I really wanted the same tattoo as my sister (a small colored four leaf clover on my ankle) then I might as well get one that looked just as a good. Before you know it I had my first tattoo at 17, mom approved. My Dad on the other hand was not a fan, but he went with it since he was out numbered.
I have since had three more tattoos and have plans for a partial right sleeve. I never thought I would have this many. Each of my tattoos has significant meaning behind it and i thought about for months or even years.
What I wanted to really talk about is how after getting a much larger back tattoo I first was slightly hesitant of how visible it was, but what it has taught me is to love myself for who I am. I am not perfect and nothing about my body is perfect despite sometimes striving for a level of perfection I have crafted in my mind.
Raven Wings
Committing to a large piece on my shoulders and upper back was a huge leap towards accepting myself. This tattoo took 11 hours and it is now forever a part of me. I do get comments and I have heard a some interesting and not always friendly thoughts about my tattoos over the years. At the end of the day, I really like it and it is my daily reminder of my mom. If I worried so much about what others think about it, how it would look in pictures and if my future husband one day might like it I would have never been able to do it. Ultimately I have learned from getting tattoos that:
I have a higher pain tolerance than I thought!
I am beautiful the way I am, tattoos and all
If someone is quick to judge me on something like a tattoo then they are not worth my time or energy
I need to accept myself first and foremost
If I never do the things I want to or speak about then how true are my words if I never take action
Making the decision and taking the first step is usually the hardest part
If not now, when?
