I either catch people staring at it with gawking eyes as if they are trying to say, “why would you do that to yourself?” Or, when I'm least expecting it, I get a compliment about how cute it is or what it means. Both responses, I take pride in. That's because, I take pride in my tattoo.

I know not everyone agrees with it, and that’s okay. I have family members who pretend its non-existent, and that’s okay. I have people tell me that I’m going to regret it when I’m older because I chose it so young, and that’s okay. My tattoo isn’t meant to please anyone; anyone but myself, that is.

As a young person with tattoos, I wish I could just tell everybody to keep their opinions to themselves. I know the older generations have a few “wise” words to tell me about tattoos; but, frankly, I don’t want to hear them. I would like to share my wise words with everyone who has felt the need to share theirs with me; so, here it goes.

Growing up we’re taught to express ourselves, be creative, and use our imagination. However, for some reason, when we reach the age of making decisions on more permanent forms of creativity, we’re told it’s wrong. We’ve passed the age of using coloring books or covering our bedroom walls in Jonas Brother posters as the only way of expressing ourselves; we’ve reached the age having to do the more permanent versions. If I’m old enough to make the decision to spend $15, 000 a year on studying what my 18 year-old self thinks I’m going to do for the rest of my life then I’m old enough to make the decision to get a $60 tattoo. A much cheaper way of expressing myself for the rest of my life, don’t ya think?

Tattoos are a sign of expression for many different things; whether, there’s a reason behind them or not, it’s a form of expressing oneself. Just like piercings and hair coloring, it shows creativity and uniqueness, something we've been taught to do our whole life.

The problem isn’t just that people want to tell us that it’s the wrong way to express ourselves, but people also like to tell us that our reasoning for getting one is wrong. For justification to put something on my body, I don’t need anyone’s permission on whether or not my reasoning is good enough. Not only that but not every tattoo needs a sentimental reasoning (which seems to be the only “good enough” reason for getting a tattoo). If I want a tattoo of a palm tree because they’re my favorite plant, I’ll do it. If I want a sentimental tattoo in memory of my lost friend, I’ll do it. Any reason I have for getting a tattoo is a good enough reason; whether or not the rest of society agrees.

To sum it all up, I am old enough to make my own decisions. I am wise enough to know what I am doing. And, I don't need justification for my life decisions anymore. It's my body, and I'll design it the way I want it. I don't care if you like it or not; what matters is if I do. I don't care if you "wouldn't put that on your body forever"; what matters is if I would.

So on behalf of young people with tattoos, I’d just like to say: you can keep your judgmental stares, rude remarks, or “wise advice” to yourself. My tattoo, my body, my choice.