Now, I have been tattooed for 9 years, and have a total of 7, with a long list of the others I would like to add. And here's what I have come to accept about my tattooed self:
My tattoos do not define me. They are like the illustrations on a book cover. They might give you an idea of who I am, my beliefs, and the things that are dear to me, but they are not the whole story. It is easy for some to look at the art I have chosen to wear on my body for the rest of my life and think that I am compensating for something, or trying to draw attention away from the parts of me I may not be 100% comfortable with. In actuality, it is quite the opposite. I am one of those who love to be approached about my ink. If you have a question about what it is, what it says, who tattooed it, what it means to me, I will talk your face off about it. Which will give you opportunity to notice my chipped front tooth, my crooked nose, and my rough skin. If I choose to show you some of my less exposed tattoos, you may see scars on my back, stretchmarks, my thighs that rub together, and possibly my muffin top.
Are those things someone compensating for their insecurities would do?
If anything, my tattoos have made me more confident. Like wearing your favorite accessory every day, only there is no one else in this world that has the same exact accessory as me. My convictions in the things that I have chosen to wear on my body forever make me more secure.
You don't decorate a room, or showcase a project that you're ashamed of. Why would I put decorations on a body I felt insecure about?
This is who I am, ink, piercings, and all.
My tattoos do not define me.
Image by FontMeme
You're so right. If we were insecure, would have have the guts to do something so permanent (or at least, something that's really expensive to remove)?
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