On July 28, 2016 at approximately 8:17 p.m., I, a newly of age 18-year-old adult, received my first tattoo. Insert my bowing and waving to all.
Now, this experience is probably an experience many 18-year-olds have. You have just turned 18 and are now, technically, an adult, and you want to do something adventurous and crazy without your parents. My experience was very similar. Aside from the fact that my mom came with me because I'm a baby.
I'm going to try and portray my thoughts throughout this process.
First, the anticipation before getting the tattoo.
The tattoo I got was something I've really always wanted. I suggest not getting a tattoo just on a whim. Have your first tattoo, or any tattoo really, be something meaningful to you. Don't just get a tattoo of a smiley face because you think it's funny. I mean if you want to go ahead, it's your body, it just isn't something I would do. Anyway, in the days leading up to getting inked, I'll admit, I was nervous. I have some anxiety, a low pain tolerance and hate needles. You may be asking, "Then why would you voluntarily get a tattoo?" Well, because I'm an adult and I wanted to, OK? I was mostly nervous about if it would hurt as bad as everyone said. I would pinch myself in the spot I was planning on getting my tattoo just to see if I could handle the pain. A little weird, but it was my way of prepping. As the day finally came, I was still freaking out. Would it hurt too much? What if I didn't like it? What if it isn't what I wanted? All these things were racing through my head as I began to hear the buzz of the tattoo gun grow closer to my skin.
Next, my thoughts while getting the tattoo.
When the tattoo gun hit my skin, it was not what I expected at all. For the crybaby that I am, believe me when I say it was not that bad. I was sitting there anticipating this horrible pain that would make me want to cry and scream, when in reality, it was just a little pinch. I pinched myself harder in my anticipation. All I was thinking was, "Wow, I got so worked up over this?" It did not hurt, and since my tattoo was small, it literally only took two minutes. When my tattooist put the tattoo gun down I was like, "Wait, that's it?"
Finally, my thoughts after the fact.
I love my tattoo. I got a little cross on my heel so that I will always remember to walk by faith, and honestly, I am so glad that I got it. In the end, the pain was not that bad at all. It hurt more after the tattoo was done than it did actually getting the tattoo. Now, I have something on my body forever that is meaningful to me. It is exactly what I wanted, and I am thrilled to have had it done.
If you want a tattoo, but are nervous about the pain or needles or anything like that, take it from a cry baby like me: don't let the pain stop you. It is a few minutes, or hours, of some pain for a lifetime of beautiful artwork, which brings happiness!
