1. Tattoos are timekeepers.
One of my favorite things about tattoos is that regardless of where you are in your life, you can always look back on a tattoo and remember exactly where you were -- physically, mentally, and emotionally -- in that moment. Whether you get one during a high, a low, or after overcoming or achieving something, you are commemorating how you felt or thought at that time and are forever acknowledging it. I think that's awesome.
2. Their meaning can evolve over time.
As you grow and change, your tattoo will do the same. Maybe what your tattoo meant to you when you were 18 isn't quite the same as it is now, being that now you have lived through other experiences. But while the meaning of a tattoo does not always evolve, that doesn't mean your perspective on it can't. Every time you see your tattoo, you might see it in a new light and learn something about yourself or your experience that you haven't thought of before.
3. Tattoo artists are storytellers.
I met this girl once who told me that she was in law school but really just wanted to be a tattoo artist. When I asked her why she wanted to be a tattoo artist, she said to me, "Because you get to help tell someone's story." This stuck with me over the years and gave me a new-found respect for the medium. While some people may not always choose to share their stories, the fact that something was significant enough for them to mark it on their body is beautiful to me. I also see it as a reminder that everyone has struggled and everyone has loved, and that is something that we should notice and empathize with.
4. Tattoos have a looooooooong history.
Tattooing has been practiced in every corner of the world since back in the neolithic times. Tattoos have historically been used for healing, religion, and even as a form of punishment, and in some cultures, they are believed to have magical qualities. One of my favorite examples of ancient tattooing is the Ukok Princess, otherwise known as the Siberian Ice Maiden. (Can we just take a second and acknowledge how badass that title is?) Her tats date back to the 5th century B.C., and were believed to help people of the same family and culture find each other again in another life.
5. They make for a good story.
I had a camp counselor who lost a bet to her best friend and consequently had to get her friend's mom's name tattooed on her butt. This goes to show that not all tattoos have to be deep and profound, and some, like having "Cheryl" written in cursive on your ass, just make for a good story.
6. They are art.
Regardless of your opinion on tattoos, you can't deny the hard work and pure artistry that go into some of them. The best artists study as apprentices for years, constantly and passionately perfecting their craft, and eventually, they turn out some real masterpieces. Art, to me, has always been about expressing oneself in hopes of connecting with others, and that's exactly what I think tattoos do. So I don't know about you, but being tattooed myself, I'm hyped to hang out with the Siberian Ice Maiden in the afterlife.
