If you were to look at me with my hair down, long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes, you wouldn't think twice about me. But, when my hair is up, my sleeves are short, my pants are cropped, and my shoes are open, there's a few things that people instantly notice. My tattoos. More often than not, I get asked why I get tattoos, which is then followed with why did you get that tattoo? The answer to both of those questions is simple. I got them because I WANTED THEM.
Every tattoo on my body has a meaning behind it; a reminder of some sort. But, even if they didn't, why does it matter to you? If I don't regret them and they're of no harm to you, why should it be of any concern to you?
As I've gotten older, the more I hear, "how do you expect to get a job with all of those?" The condescending tone in their voice is what really gets to me. First off, more and more jobs are becoming accepting of people with tattoos. And even if they weren't, would I really want to work for someone who can't accept me for what is on my body-- especially if it isn't hurting them in any way, shape, or form?
A lot of people I've come in contact with believe that they're better than me and others with tattoos just because they don't have tattoos themselves. Just because I have ink on my skin doesn't mean that I'm not a good person. If I'm in school, working a good job, writing and doing the things I love, and making myself and other people happy, then why am I being ridiculed for the art that I choose to put on my body? Why am I being judged so harshly for something that you can't even see most of the time? Why are you so bothered by what's on my skin? Over the last couple years of getting tattooed, I've learned that regardless of what you think of them, I'll continue to get tattoos and here's why:
1. I don't get tattoos to please you or piss you off.
I get tattoos for myself, and myself alone.
2. It's my body, I can do what I want.
The day I turned 18, the rights to my body became mine, not yours.
3. I use tattoos as rewards.
When something good in my life happens, or I've completed a goal, instead of rewarding myself with a new outfit, I get a new tattoo and that makes me feel better about myself.
4. I use tattoos as reminders.
Tattoos are permanent reminders to myself. Whenever I am feeling a certain way, I can look at a piece of the artwork on my body and remember why I got it in the first place.
5. They've become a part of who I am.
I identify personally with every tattoo that I've gotten and that will continue until the day I stop getting them.
6. I genuinely like them.
Point. Blank. Period. I like tattoos and that's enough reason for me to continue getting them.
7. Just because I have tattoos, doesn't make me a bad person.
The ink on my skin does not determine whether or not I am a good person. Just because I have tattoos does not automatically make me a deliquent and does not mean I am going straight to Hell.
8. BECAUSE I WANT THEM.
It's as simple as that. If I want a tattoo, and I have the funds to support getting one, then I will probably get one.
If you don't like my tattoos, and they offend you in some way, then just don't look at them. It's as simple as that.
