READ THIS BEFORE GETTING A TATTOO

I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I always will. It’s a part of my life, it’s how I learn and grow as a person. They hurt at first, and then become a thing from the past. But I have one mistake which will follow me longer. Because it is more permanent and visible, than any other. That of course, is the story of the tattoo I regret.

Before leaving for a big trip, I decided to get a tattoo. I sent my design to an artist a few weeks prior and showed up to my appointment on the day of my booking. When he showed me his design, it looked nothing like what I sent him. Totally different. As he was standing next to me, asking for my opinion, I was intimidated. But I tried to ask for a few modifications. After a while, I could see that he wasn’t willing to make changes. I went to this appointment with the intention of getting a tattoo and in that moment, even though I knew I didn’t like the tattoo, I agreed to get it. “Sure let’s do it”.

My mind was going back and forth on whether I really wanted it or not. I was constantly thinking “well this is not the design I want”. But then I was thinking “well if I have the courage to get this, I’ll be able to get as many tattoos as I want in the future”. I was trying to convince myself I was going to love it. Which was basically a lie to myself. If only I had taken ten to fifteen minutes just to think it over alone. I could have avoided a mistake that I think about everyday.

Tattoos are beautiful. They allow us to use our bodies to represent art or convey messages or stories. Or even just to put cool things on our bodies, tattoos are there for that. And millions of tattoo artists are out there, ready to share their artistic vision with anyone who is ballsy enough to get tatted. So, if you want to get tattoos, I encourage it. But what I’ve learned from experience: DON'T FEEL RUSHED. Take your time to decide what you want, and when the tattoo artist shows you his or her design, please for the love of God, do not feel pressure to get that exact design! If its not what you’re looking for, and\or the artist will not change the design to your specific vision, please have the courage to walk out, instead of getting something you would potentially regret forever.