You only live once, so why base your life on a set of rules when you’re not even happy? I believe tattoos are a self-expressing art form that gives an outsider a look into someone’s life. People shouldn’t be judged by expressing their selves through having art done on their body. First off, it’s my body, and I could be careless about what others think about me having something forever on my body. Second, having tattoos is how I express myself because I’m too darn shy to say how I truly feel.
Growing up, I was easily influenced by thinking a certain way. Tattoos are something my grandmother never approved of. It was a sin in her eyes but in mine a gift. I’ve always been a nanny’s girl, so me disappointing her was something I never tried to do. My mom has about fifteen or so tattoos all meaning something different to her. Therefore, I always wanted to get a tattoo, but I never knew of what.
My mom told me that whenever I got a tattoo, to never get something that I would regret or didn’t have any meaning to me. So I didn’t. Taking my grandmother’s belief into consideration, my first tattoo was a breast cancer ribbon that had strength, hope, courage within the ribbon representing my grandma being a breast cancer survivor. When I showed her my tattoo, she didn’t have too much to say. She didn’t preach at like usual but then again how could she? It was my body, and the tattoo was put there for her.
My second tattoo is of a butterfly and stars. When I see my reflection in the mirror and see the tattoo, it reminds me that I’m free and when I achieve my goals to set new higher ones. The last tattoo I have so far I an anchor with the words I refuse to sink around it. I got this done when I was struggling with depression. It means that when I think that I have had enough and I’m ready just to give up, just keep on keeping on. I have to remind myself every day that life is a sinking ship, but it’s up to me to keep...