Getting a tattoo is a big commitment. Not only are you altering your body and going through a minor procedure, but you're committing yourself to a piece of artwork for the rest of your life. Tattoos have become a much less stigmatized idea in today's society. No longer do just bikers and sailors sport tattoos, but a lot of everyday people likely have some kind of ink. Regardless if you have a small butterfly on your ankle or your entire body inked, there are certain stages of getting a tattoo we all go through.
1. Broke But Longing
Your heart says ink but your bank account say re-think. There comes a time you decide to get a tattoo but you just don't have the finances to do so. It's not wise to skimp on tattoos, since you definitely get what you pay for so it's time to start saving.
2. Finding the Perfect Art
Okay so you started saving, but what do you want? The possibilities for a tattoo are practically endless now. You can have anything from a tattoo for fun or something heartfelt and meaningful. It's important to pick the perfect art.
3. The Consultation High
There's something about having the consultation with your artist that gets you giddy. You've put done the deposit, you've figured out what you're getting, you've got the appointment booked, now you just need to wait. You often leave the consultation feeling a little high on life.
4. Appointment Nerves
No matter what, walking in to your tattoo appointment makes you a little nervous. It doesn't matter if it's your first or fiftieth tattoo. Knowing you're going in to do something that hurts and will alter your body forever makes everyone just a little nervous.
5. Getting Comfortable
There's no real way to get completely comfortable in a tattoo chair. Especially depending on the location of your tattoo, your artist may ask you to contort into some weird positions. Remember you're stuck here for a few hours.
6. The Moment the Needle Hits Skin
There's some kind of weird reaction you go through when the needle first hits your skin. You're kind of like oh, hello there. The pain is always the worst the first few minutes, because you're not used to it. But hang in there champ.
7. Settling in for the Long Haul
Somewhere in the process you settle in for the long haul. It starts to feel all the same and you get used to the pain (not to be confused with 'you stop feeling the pain'.) Your body accepts this is what you have to deal with for a bit. This is your life now.
8. When You're So Done
There comes a point when you tell you're just so done with it all. Somewhere you shift from being happy and excited to get a tattoo to 'dear lord get me off this damn table already.' Everyone has a point they are close to needing to stop.
9. Pure Relief
No matter what your pain tolerance, the sweet relief of having your artist tell you that you are finished is pure bliss. You know your patience has paid off and your artwork is done.
10. The Grand Reveal
It's always so exciting to see how your ink turns out. Finally seeing the finished product on your body makes you super happy to have this new piece of art on you.
11. The Badass After Effect
Afterwards you feel like a rockstar. You want to show everyone you pass your new tattoo. You often unconscious strut out the door of the tattoo parlor because of how much of a badass you feel like.